Chamber Names Richberg Director of Economic Opportunity, Inclusion
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber this week announced that Vernard Richberg has joined its team as the director of economic opportunity and inclusion initiatives. In this role, he will drive initiatives that provide economic opportunities for businesses, particularly among diverse groups.
Richberg will collaborate with stakeholders to design and implement programs that foster economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurship; be an advocate for transformational change; and foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. He will also spearhead strategic projects and programs, creating a more inclusive workplace while unlocking economic opportunities for existing and potential members.
Having served as chair of the Chamber’s DE&I Committee since 2020, Richberg will continue to convene and oversee the efforts of the group and serve as a liaison to the chamber staff, board and community partners. He will assist with public outreach campaigns; provide technical assistance, resources and relationship management support for diverse businesses as a chamber member benefit; create new member benefits for diverse businesses; oversee an ambassador program for diverse business owners to network at chamber events; and more.
“Vern will provide expertise in an area that is currently a void for us and enable the Regional Chamber to expand upon the important services we deliver to the community,” says chamber President & CEO Guy Coviello.
Richberg, founder & CEO of digital technology company Micro Solo Digital and founder of EntreNetwork Entrepreneurial e-Learning Management Platform, is a certified business advisor who has dedicated much of his career to supporting minority-, women- and veteran-owned startups and small businesses. His extensive experience in providing startup assistance and owner support has helped numerous entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving ventures. He utilized his certification and expertise for more than five years at the Youngstown Business Incubator as managing director, director of supply chain diversity and regional director of the Youngstown Minority Business Assistance Center, after prior opportunities that included the position of financial advisor at Morgan Stanley for 10 years.
Richberg is a member of the boards of the Regional Chamber and Leadership Mahoning Valley and previously served on the boards of Meander Water and the Community of Faith Collaborative Union. The former executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund was also a certified IRS volunteer earned income tax credit preparer for Akron Summit Community Action.
The Youngstown resident received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland, his CBA from Kent State University and an associate degree in police sciences from the Community College of the Air Force.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
