Congratulations Meredith Hundley for being named in the Roanoker Magazine’s class of 2022: 40 under 40! There were 135 nominations this year to acknowledge young professionals in the Roanoke Valley for their career achievements, community involvement, and accolades.
Dr. Meredith Hundley, 36 / Director, Research, Planning and Grants, Valleys Innovation Council (an affiliate of Verge)
Originally from Smithfield with deep Virginia roots, Dr. Meredith Hundley has developed coalitions across the region between governments, business and education to win major grant support for a number of initiatives that support the growth of the innovation economy in our region. She played a vital role with forming an innovation coalition in the Roanoke-Alleghany region that includes over 20 organizations, and worked with regional stakeholders to create the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority. She has written and won more than $750,000 in state and foundation grants to support and expand VIC-affiliated programs that grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her help with Virginia Tech’s presidential search resulted in hiring Tim Sands and she has worked to create and implement VT’s Beyond Boundaries presidential visioning initiative. “Finding the resources to develop and implement programs that address needs in our community around innovation and entrepreneurship [is my passion],” she says, “as well as building and supporting collaborative partnerships to drive change.”
From the Nomination: “In her role as Director of Research, Planning and Grants for Valleys Innovation Council, Dr. Hundley has developed coalitions across the region between governments, business and education to win major grant support for a number of initiatives that support the growth of the innovation economy in our region. … She is often called upon by regional partners to provide technical assistance with federal and state grant opportunities that have brought in significant grant support for programming. She is an extremely dedicated professional and well deserving of consideration. I heartily recommend Hundley for this recognition. … Her research and work efforts really drove the formation and mission of Valleys Innovation Council, which fills an entirely different role than traditional economic development organizations. VIC is working to ensure that the region has the right ecosystem ingredients to provide for a thriving technology based start-up environment. This includes programs and services like accelerators, design thinking programs, angel investor groups, venture capital, talent development and attraction and mentorship. It also requires strategic thinking about future industry domains in which our region may have competitive advantages. For example, leveraging research at the Fralin Biomedical Institute, or Virginia Tech’s research expertise in autonomous systems, agtech, computer sciences, data analytics, cybersecurity, AI etc. This requires futuristic thinking and planning abilities, which Hundley possesses.”
View Meredith Hundley’s full profile of achievements, accolades, and community impact.