About Us
Our Mission
Empowerment through Entrepreneurship
Our Vision
At echo, we envision a world where the transformative power of entrepreneurship breaks down barriers to business ownership, enabling individuals to shape their destinies.
Commitment
We are committed to creating a vibrant community of dreamers, fostering innovation, and providing inclusive spaces where every voice is heard and every dream has the opportunity to flourish.
Our History
echo is a result of a merger between Audacity Labs and Helius, two nonprofits working with youth and entrepreneurs in our community for many years. Throughout the years, and definitely the past few years, both organizations were receiving feedback from the community that yes, there is an abundance of services offered to aspiring entrepreneurs. But, often once the program or training finished, it wasn't easy to access more in-depth or continual support for them.
And for early-stage and young entrepreneurs, there is little support at all. That feedback inspired us to envision a space built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. At echo, we want to build the “we” - a collective of individuals that fosters a sense of belonging; to join people who have a shared living experience to challenge the outdated educational and workforce models that prevent economic equity; and to pool this collective identity so we can learn together, and create a circular system for broader change through entrepreneurship to build, succeed, and repeat.
Our Partners
Meet the Staff
Anjanette has 20+ years of experience in entrepreneurship and program development. She founded her first business in Dallas, TX, an educational advocacy center. Before joining Echo, Anjanette was the Executive Director of Audacity Labs.
Anjanette has 20+ years of experience in entrepreneurship and program development. She founded her first business in Dallas, TX, an educational advocacy center. Before joining Echo, Anjanette was the Executive Director of Audacity Labs.
Itzel is a Durham native and graduate from UNC at Greensboro. Being a minority herself, she is compelled to give back to her community by empowering underrepresented business owners to reach maximum success.
Itzel is a Durham native and graduate from UNC at Greensboro. Being a minority herself, she is compelled to give back to her community by empowering underrepresented business owners to reach maximum success.
Van is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studying economics. A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, he has a passion for empowering youth through education, financial literacy, and mentorship.
Van is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studying economics. A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, he has a passion for empowering youth through education, financial literacy, and mentorship.
Van Adamson-Thompson
Alumni Lead
Sonali Sanjay is undergraduate at Duke University studying statistics and also one of the student directors at Echo-Reverb! Sonali first joined as an entrepreneurship coach as a sophomore, and has enjoyed every second at our organization since.
Sonali Sanjay is undergraduate at Duke University studying statistics and also one of the student directors at Echo-Reverb! Sonali first joined as an entrepreneurship coach as a sophomore, and has enjoyed every second at our organization since.
Diana is from Colombia and has over 12 years of experience in designing and monitoring public policies and programs for the public sector in Colombia, as well as for NGOs in North Carolina. She holds a Master's degree in International Development Policy from Duke University. Diana firmly believes in entrepreneurship and innovation as powerful tools for achieving social mobility and supporting minorities in uplifting themselves.
Diana is from Colombia and has over 12 years of experience in designing and monitoring public policies and programs for the public sector in Colombia, as well as for NGOs in North Carolina. She holds a Master's degree in International Development Policy from Duke University. Diana firmly believes in entrepreneurship and innovation as powerful tools for achieving social mobility and supporting minorities in uplifting themselves.
Ramon is a social entrepreneur and consultant focused on improving the quality of life for all. He has worked in a variety of settings in public health and healthcare since 2005.)
Ramon is a social entrepreneur and consultant focused on improving the quality of life for all. He has worked in a variety of settings in public health and healthcare since 2005.)
Matthew O’Stricker is a Senior at Duke University from in Atlanta, Georgia and is studying Public Policy and earning a certificate in Markets and Management Matthew’s passion derives from his interest in social impact work. He currently serves as a Student Director for echo-Reverb.
Matthew O’Stricker is a Senior at Duke University from in Atlanta, Georgia and is studying Public Policy and earning a certificate in Markets and Management Matthew’s passion derives from his interest in social impact work. He currently serves as a Student Director for echo-Reverb.
Jayden Pierrette is an Undergraduate at Duke
University from Atlanta, Georgia studying Public
Policy. Jayden first joined Echo-Reverb as a member of the Undergraduate Executive Team, working as one of the Programming Leads. His passion for entrepreneurship is driven by his deep-seated desire to make a positive impact
on society. He is currently one of the newest members to the Board of Directors.
Jayden Pierrette is an Undergraduate at Duke
University from Atlanta, Georgia studying Public
Policy. Jayden first joined Echo-Reverb as a member of the Undergraduate Executive Team, working as one of the Programming Leads. His passion for entrepreneurship is driven by his deep-seated desire to make a positive impact
on society. He is currently one of the newest members to the Board of Directors.
Board Of Directors
Mitch is the Vice President, EduLab for National Geographic Society Previously, he served as the VP of Innovation and Learning at the Museum of Life and Science, and ran innovation practices with Accenture, Fjord, and Deloitte. He has also worked extensively in social and public innovation through organizations such as NESTA, the United Nations, and the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship. Mitch holds an MPA in innovation and entrepreneurship policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Mitch is the Vice President, EduLab for National Geographic Society Previously, he served as the VP of Innovation and Learning at the Museum of Life and Science, and ran innovation practices with Accenture, Fjord, and Deloitte. He has also worked extensively in social and public innovation through organizations such as NESTA, the United Nations, and the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship. Mitch holds an MPA in innovation and entrepreneurship policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Morgen was born and raised in Durham. Morgen has been in the Financial Services industry for over 10 years and has spent the last 8 years working directly with small business owners to help them grow their business.
Morgen was born and raised in Durham. Morgen has been in the Financial Services industry for over 10 years and has spent the last 8 years working directly with small business owners to help them grow their business.
Morgen McVane
Treasurer
Dr. Terrance Ruth received his PhD in Public Affairs from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Ruth is an advocate for public education, once serving as a teacher, principal and the parent of a son who attends public schools in Wake County. Dr. Ruth led social justice organizations at the national, state and local levels with a reputation for being the implementation expert. He served as the NC NAACP Executive Director under Dr. Barber and Dr. Spearman and has served as National Director of Programming for the Repairers of the Breach. Recently he partnered with United Way of the Triangle to launch a community investment fund for local community organizers.
Dr. Terrance Ruth received his PhD in Public Affairs from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Ruth is an advocate for public education, once serving as a teacher, principal and the parent of a son who attends public schools in Wake County. Dr. Ruth led social justice organizations at the national, state and local levels with a reputation for being the implementation expert. He served as the NC NAACP Executive Director under Dr. Barber and Dr. Spearman and has served as National Director of Programming for the Repairers of the Breach. Recently he partnered with United Way of the Triangle to launch a community investment fund for local community organizers.
Judy Batista is an echo entrepreneur. She is a first generation American and a licensed bilingual Speech - Language pathologist. She has taken her passion for her work and children and founded Laughing Monitos, a specialized play
group for children aged 0 - 4 years with a focus on nurturing and enhancing a
child’s communication abilities.
Judy Batista is an echo entrepreneur. She is a first generation American and a licensed bilingual Speech - Language pathologist. She has taken her passion for her work and children and founded Laughing Monitos, a specialized play
group for children aged 0 - 4 years with a focus on nurturing and enhancing a
child’s communication abilities.
Melissa is a professor of the practice in the Department of Public Policy and the director of Social Innovation at UNC-Chapel Hill, and co-founder of Radiate Works.
Melissa is a professor of the practice in the Department of Public Policy and the director of Social Innovation at UNC-Chapel Hill, and co-founder of Radiate Works.
Kenyetta has over 10 years of experience working with SMBs, startups and in both the private and public sector. She started The Katalyst HQ, which is a coaching and consulting company focused on helping entrepreneurs get unstuck and take their business to the next level.
Kenyetta has over 10 years of experience working with SMBs, startups and in both the private and public sector. She started The Katalyst HQ, which is a coaching and consulting company focused on helping entrepreneurs get unstuck and take their business to the next level.
Quinci is a member of the Duke class of 2020 from University Place, WA, now a consultant with BetterUp. Quinci is dedicated to creating sustainable opportunities where undergraduate students and alumni can better engage with the regional community.
Quinci is a member of the Duke class of 2020 from University Place, WA, now a consultant with BetterUp. Quinci is dedicated to creating sustainable opportunities where undergraduate students and alumni can better engage with the regional community.
Austin has spent the last 13 years helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. His background includes startup ecosystem building, community development, & business growth strategy. He’s a StoryBrand Marketing Guide, Business Made Simple Coach, and founder of Aspen Studios, a marketing & content production agency.
Austin has spent the last 13 years helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. His background includes startup ecosystem building, community development, & business growth strategy. He’s a StoryBrand Marketing Guide, Business Made Simple Coach, and founder of Aspen Studios, a marketing & content production agency.
Diana Abreu is an echo entrepreneur and our most recent entrepreneur-in residence in our Main Street storefront. An artist and collaborator, Diana has taken her design background and founded her own business Sh*t Diana Makes. Her storefront is more than a jewelry store; it’s a space that champions local artistry, embraces diversity, and encourages self-expression.
Diana Abreu is an echo entrepreneur and our most recent entrepreneur-in residence in our Main Street storefront. An artist and collaborator, Diana has taken her design background and founded her own business Sh*t Diana Makes. Her storefront is more than a jewelry store; it’s a space that champions local artistry, embraces diversity, and encourages self-expression.
Jayden Pierrette is an Undergraduate at Duke
University from Atlanta, Georgia studying Public
Policy. Jayden first joined Echo-Reverb as a member of the Undergraduate Executive Team, working as one of the Programming Leads. His passion for entrepreneurship is driven by his deep-seated desire to make a positive impact
on society. He is currently one of the newest members to the Board of Directors.
Jayden Pierrette is an Undergraduate at Duke
University from Atlanta, Georgia studying Public
Policy. Jayden first joined Echo-Reverb as a member of the Undergraduate Executive Team, working as one of the Programming Leads. His passion for entrepreneurship is driven by his deep-seated desire to make a positive impact
on society. He is currently one of the newest members to the Board of Directors.