Terri Kennelly-Cook began her career at the University of Pittsburgh in August 2006 as the Department Administrator in the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Diversity. Ten years later she transferred to the IEE as an administrative assistant handling the front desk duties and projects for the IEE with Pitt students. Prior to the University of Pittsburgh, Terri was a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Regional Supervisor with Zink Partners, Inc., Johnstown Management Co. and Cushman & Wakefield working in various states in commercial and residential properties.

Education

Master of Studies in Law, University of Pittsburgh

Graduate Certificate, Human Resources Law, University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor’s of Business Administration & Management, LaRoche College

Bachelor’s of Arts, English Literature, LaRoche College

Zachery Patton is a Management Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center. Currently, he works with startups and small businesses out of the Washington and Waynesburg offices. Zachery brings experience in the restaurant industry, business development, as well as sustainability initiatives. His focus is to help entrepreneurs position themselves to succeed and prosper.

Before he joined the Small Business Development Center, Zachery was the Technology Transfer Coordinator at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Masters of Business Administration, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

In his role as Supply Chain Consultant for the IEE, Michael will continue to build and broaden IEE’s supply chain training capabilities with partner organizations and regional entrepreneurs. He joined the IEE to infuse his passion for entrepreneurship and education in support of the University’s mission for regional economic development. He has worked with the IEE team to achieve its goals in fostering innovative ideas to strengthen and expand the University’s strategic outreach.

Prior to his current role, Michael served as Associate Director of the Pitt SBDC, assisting business owners with profitability and sustainability through trainings, education and consulting. He has also worked previously with the IEE as their Educational Program Manager from 2004–2008.

Following his first stint with the IEE, Michael was an entrepreneur as a co-owner of a family business in the financial services industry. A steadfast advocate for small business owners and entrepreneurship, Michael has spoken as a panel member at the U. S. Capitol Building for a Senate sub-committee on SBA financing, presented at the ASBDC annual conference, and has published research with his dissertation focused on “Educating Entrepreneurs: Strategic Methods Utilized by Small Business Development Centers in the U.S. to Deliver Educational Programs.”

Education

Bachelor of Education, University of Toledo
Masters of Education, University of Pittsburgh
Doctorate of Education, University of Pittsburgh

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Lynne began her career in retail management before transitioning to a project management position with PNC Bank. While at PNC Bank she was responsible for implementing bank marketing initiatives at the telebanking center and coordinating all aspects including training, operational support, and telecommunications. She held the position of accounting manager at an automotive dealership and most recently worked as a licensed and certified occupational therapy assistant, providing school-based occupational therapy in local school districts. In her spare time, Lynne enjoys spending time her with family, reading, and walking her two golden retrievers.

Brent G. Rondon is currently the Senior Management Consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. In that capacity he consults with export-import clients who want to engage in international trade as well as immigrant/international entrepreneurs who are newcomers to the Pittsburgh region and want to open their own businesses.

Previously, he was the Manager of the Global Business Program at the Duquesne University SBDC. Brent managed export projects to assist U.S. equipment manufacturers to enter Latin American countries of U.S.-Made equipment. He has traveled extensively and led trade missions to countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, China, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil.

He received a Master’s Degree of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and a Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. His undergraduate studies were in Lima, Peru, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Engineering from the La Molina National University. He is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) from NASBITE International, on the board of Global Pittsburgh, Mayor Peduto’s Welcoming Pittsburgh initiative, the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sister Cities International, NASBITE International and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Diverse Communities Group.  He is fluent in Spanish and intermediate Portuguese.

Jonny Gamble is a Management Consultant with the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center. At the SBDC, Jonny works closely with clients in all stages of business growth. Currently, Jonny splits his time between the IEE office in Oakland, the Riverside Innovation Center on the North Shore, and the Community Engagement Center in Homewood.

Before joining the Small Business Development Center, Jonny worked as Community & Events Manager for OneValley, an online entrepreneurship platform and co-working space in Hazelwood Green.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems, University of Pittsburgh

Nicole Hudson is the Director of Strategic Connections and Opportunities within the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Center of Excellence, Entrepreneurial Fellows Center (EFC), and Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program (UCEP). In her role, Nicole takes the lead on all things entrepreneurial, from outreach and recruitment to program execution. She is also the acting corporate partner liaison for special programs across all centers.

With a wealth of experience, Nicole brings a unique blend of over 15 years in Higher Education and firsthand entrepreneurial expertise as a small business owner. Her return to the IEE after working with Sabika Jewelry, Inc. is a testament to her commitment to fostering economic development.

Nicole’s dedication extends beyond her role, as she actively participates in various entrepreneurial committees and councils. She also generously volunteers her time both within the University and externally, supporting underserved communities and University-wide events and initiatives. Nicole is a driven contributor to the success of the IEE and its mission to empower entrepreneurs and businesses for a brighter future.

Annia Aleman is an innovation, business strategy, and impact design professional with over a decade of experience driving organizational sustainability and development for local government, businesses, and nonprofits. Her expertise includes strategic planning, program development and management, human-centered design, and leadership development.

As the Innovation Director at Ascender, a business incubator in Pittsburgh, Annia has been responsible for designing educational programming that empowers entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. She considers it an honor to support local entrepreneurs as they create impactful business solutions in Pittsburgh.

Previously, she worked for the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Innovation & Performance, where she launched PGH Lab, connecting startups with city government, and supported the citywide Inclusive Innovation Plan. She also contributed to Pittsburgh’s success in the 2018 National Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge pilot testing innovative ideas to improve government services. Annia has also worked as a consultant leading convenings for Common Cause Consultants and the Boston Center, using human-centered design tools to unlock new strategies and collaboration between stakeholders with similar missions and goals.

Annia holds a Master’s in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s in Global Policy from Chatham University. She has been recognized in the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2023 Personalities of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Business Times 30 Under 30 (2018) list, and The Incline’s “Who’s Next: Technology.”

Valerie Shaffer joined The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Entrepreneurial Excellence in April 2025, as an Environmental Consultant.  Her efforts will support the Pitt Small Business Development Center with environmental permitting and compliance needs as part of the Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) in Pennsylvania.

Valerie joins The University of Pittsburgh from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection where she was an Air Quality District Supervisor.  Prior to her employment with Pennsylvania DEP, Valerie was an Environmental Manager for a manufacturing and mining company in York, PA.  Valerie started her environmental career as a field inspector for the Cleveland Division of Air Quality.  She enjoyed working for the City of Cleveland for over 10 years until moving to Pennsylvania.

Valerie has a law degree from The University of Akron School of Law and a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Youngstown State University.

Talpha Harris is a serial entrepreneur and change maker in the economic development space. She comes to the University of Pittsburgh SBDC, having previously worked throughout the Western PA region with various organizations to connect minority-owned and women-owned Pittsburgh entrepreneurs with resources to start, grow and maintain their business. Previously, Talpha directed Bridgeway Capital’s entrepreneurship hub, creating and managing technical assistance programs, accelerators, and incubators. She is also a consultant for Chatham’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, assisting entrepreneurs in obtaining financing and capital. As CEO and Co-Founder of Sustainible, an online business feasibility platform that evaluates business models for economic viability, Talpha assisted entrepreneurs in creating sustainable business models and collaborated with organizations to create entrepreneurial programming. Talpha also creates educational and scriptural content for kids. She loves to code, is an author, a video creator, and has a passion for all things sustainable and saving the planet. She holds a degree in Sustainable Development and Entrepreneurship from UNC Chapel Hill.