One day. Big ideas. Real results.

Christine Caldwell serves as an Entrepreneurial Impact Manager at Community Investment Collaborative (CIC), where she has dedicated the past two years to empowering small business owners and fostering economic growth. Christine oversees several key programs at CIC, including the signature 16-week Culpeper-Orange Entrepreneur Workshop, the Financial Management Program (FMP), and the Culpeper Resource Fair.

A former two-time small business owner, Christine brings a wealth of experience and a passion for small business development and small-town revitalization. With a strong background in business start-ups, Christine excels at helping entrepreneurs navigate the fundamentals of launching and managing businesses in their early stages, making her a trusted resource for aspiring and new small business owners.

Teira E. Farley began with CIC as Director of Communications + Engagement and currently serves as its Chief Operating Officer, overseeing programs and operations across all regions. A dual graduate of Florida A&M University, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration, with management and marketing concentrations, respectively, underscored by over twenty years in branding, logistics, and non-profit management. She is a vibrant, trusted brand + business coach, business owner, consultant, event manager, and author, whose passion is evident. Her collaborative approach and genuine leadership create healthy, empowering, and educational spaces for clients and team members to thrive in purpose and impact.

Dan Fellows has a strong background in general business management, including an MBA from George Mason University and 40+ years of experience in business. He has been an executive in a large corporate environment, a General Manager of a regional family owned (not his) retail enterprise, and owned his own companies. A believer in giving back to the community, Dan is past President of the local chapter of the American Marketing Association as well as a board member of several local nonprofit organizations.

Collean Laney brings over 20 years of experience in marketing and sales, combining her passion for local businesses with a deep love for data-driven decision-making. Known for her hands-on approach, Collean thrives on rolling up her sleeves to tackle challenges head-on and deliver impactful results. Her collaborative style has been the cornerstone of her success, fostering strong relationships and empowering businesses to achieve their goals.

In addition to her extensive marketing background, Collean has a wealth of experience in diverse industries, including managing a winery and a craft beer company, and serving as the General Manager of The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville. Prior to that, she spent over a dozen years in corporate America with Live Nation and The New York Times, specializing in live event production, sales, and marketing. Her unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, corporate expertise, and passion for community makes her a dynamic voice in the conversation about building businesses through social media and authentic storytelling. Join Collean as she shares insights on leveraging social media to grow your brand, build connections, and make informed, strategic decisions in today’s digital landscape.

Hope Lawrence is the founder of the Hudson Henry Baking Company, a granola business she started in 2012 and named after her two sons, Hudson and Henry. What began at the Charlottesville City Market grew to a coveted brand that was sold across the country. Her “Hudson Henry Granola” has won 6 sofi awards, which are like the Oscars of the packaged food industry, and was featured on The Today Show as one of Kathie Lee and Hoda’s favorite things.

In 2022, Hope sold the business and moved her family from Palmyra to Keswick in order to be closer to all things Charlottesville. She has been an instructor with CIC’s signature program, it’s 16-week Entrepreneur Workshop, for many years and has always loved to “talk shop” with entrepreneurs. She is working on her passion project – “Small Batch Empire” where she helps cpg founders grow and organize their businesses and thrive as entrepreneurs.

A graduate of James Madison University, she is a member of Women For Madison and a member of the Amethyst Circle. Before “the granola years”, she was a Product Manager for Standard & Poor’s in NYC and Fitch Ratings in London.

Hope’s hobbies include reading, traveling with her family, and playing video games with her teen sons (if you can’t beat them, join them). Her ideal day is hanging out with the boys, baking cookies, and reading a good book…ideally on a snowy day.