Dr. Heather Lamb Battick is a visionary leader and the driving force behind SEEK, Inc., where she serves as Executive Director. With a distinguished career in education, business development, and nonprofit leadership, Dr. Battick has dedicated her life to empowering individuals and communities through programs that foster entrepreneurship, social justice awareness, and lifelong learning. Under her leadership, SEEK, Inc. has become a pillar of support for underserved populations, providing them with critical resources, mentorship, and training to achieve economic independence. Dr. Battick's passion for creating transformative opportunities is evident in her innovative approach to program design, particularly through initiatives such as Entrepreneurship 10.0 and I Am a Brand, which empowers individuals to turn their side hustles into registered businesses. Dr. Battick holds a doctorate in educational leadership and has over two decades of experience guiding organizations toward sustainable success. Her commitment to social impact and her ability to nurture talent make her a key figure in the nonprofit sector. With a focus on equity and inclusion, she continues to build pathways for underserved individuals to thrive in their professional and personal lives.

Renee Fowler is a Philadelphia native. She moved to Virginia Beach in 1996 from Los Angeles. Fowler is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a B.A. in Journalism and a Master of Education degree from Regent University. Fowler started teaching elementary students for Norfolk Public Schools more than twenty years ago. She believes it is crucial to not only teach academics, but to be an example of helping others and demonstrating acts of kindness with empathy and humility. In addition, stressing importance of educating students to become stewards of social justice and economic growth. School year 2015-2016, she was nominated as Teacher of the Year. Also, she worked as a commercial property manager in Brentwood and Pasadena, California for ten years. She received accolades for the hard work and dedication throughout the years of employment. Working as an educator and a commercial property manager, Fowler has developed organizational leadership skills and making community connections to galvanize a common cause. Spending time with family and friends brings her great joy. Also, she enjoys dancing, traveling, and listening to gospel, and smooth jazz.

Timothy D. Freeman is the Executive Director, of the North Carolina State Approving Agency, where he ensures adequate and appropriate planning, administration, management, public relations, direction, and supervision of a statewide program to educate entitled veterans, military participants, and other eligible persons. He manages and administers the contract with the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA); oversees the monthly and annual reports and fiscal records and develops and executes the Annual Business Plan; and administers the budget assigned by the contract. Ensures compliance with federal laws and regulations in coordination with existing State education statutes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and practices. Has final authority for initial approvals and re-approvals of educational programs offered by N.C. educational institutions so that entitled individuals may receive assistance with DVA education benefits. He also serves on the National Association of State Approving Agencies, Inc. as a member of the Contract/Cooperative Agreement Committee representing the South Region. Tim was the Director of the Veterans & Military Services Center for Elizabeth City State University, as Director of the Veterans and Military Services Center, Tim was responsible for managing the recruitment and admission process for veterans, guardsmen, reservists, and their dependents and assisting them in utilizing their educational benefit to complete a program of study; oversee the recruitment at military bases and community colleges to communicate information to local veterans and the military community; manage all aspects of applications for benefits including certifying attendance and appropriateness of courses toward a degree and assessing prior training and educational credits. Advised the University on developing or improving programming, policies, and procedures that support veterans, guardsmen, reservists, and their dependents in their pursuit of a program of study; conduct outreach in the community and on campus, including presentations and workshops about programs and services for veterans, guardsman, reservists, and their dependents. Tim also served on the board of Director for the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators and the Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee Previously, Tim worked as Tidewater Regional Manager, for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services State Approving Agency, in Richmond VA. As Regional Manager, He was responsible for the review, evaluation, and approval of educational programs for the enrollment of veterans and other eligible persons seeking education and training benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) under the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills He formerly serves as Chairman of the Legislation Committee for the National Association of State Approving Agency. He has also held the positions of Vice-President, Chair of the Legislation Committee, and Liaison to the Department of Defense for the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators. Timothy has also served on the board of Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Southern Association of Student Financial Administrators, and as President of Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and The College Support Staff Association while working at Thomas Nelson Community College. Tim received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Saint Leo University and a Master of Theology from Saint Leo University.