Somiah (So-May-uh) L.

Innovative, award-winning executive with nearly 20 years of successful leadership experience in the private sector and higher education. Proven mission-driven community coalition-builder with an outstanding record of attaining and delivering over $2.5 million in grant-funded research. As an internationally recognized educator and curriculum designer with expertise in lean entrepreneurship, human-centered design, UX/UI, and print design, she has designed curriculum spanning innovation, entrepreneurship, human-centered design, graphic design and visual literacy at Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University, Central Piedmont Community College, Salisbury University, and Top #25 U.S. Seed-ranked Accelerator, Lighthouse Labs. Somiah has worked with clients such as Qlarant, NASCAR, Roush Racing, Novant Health, Commemorative Brands/Balfour, H. M. Terry Co. Inc., Carolina Media Publishing, and Chatham Vineyards. Additionally, Somiah co-launched and co-founded several products including King Tide Supply Co.™ (featured in Whole Foods), Cupcake Diva Quest, Dib Dibs, and Gokies™. Key Strengths: Human-Centered Product Design, Design Thinking and Innovation, Workshop Facilitation, Mentoring, and Cross-Functional Team Building and Management _____________ Somiah's StrengthsFinder® Top 5 Strengths: Relator, Achiever, Learner, Belief, Futuristic