Rona Jobe
CEO/Founder
With more than two decades of experience in non-profits, corporations, and government, Rona Jobe is an expert at transforming big-picture goals into achievable actions. She has helped hundreds of small businesses and solopreneurs move from uncertainty to clarity using proven strategies that deliver results.
Founded in 2020, LVL-Up Strategies guides organizations to their next level through management consulting, human resources, and strategic communications planning and staff augmentation.
Rona holds degrees from UC Berkeley and George Mason. She has a deep knowledge of business planning and operational design, which means she knows exactly how to help you break free from the endless cycle of overthinking.
Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen
Founder
Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen is a Sake Sommelier and the founder of Capital Sake, a beverage consulting and events company dedicated to Japanese sake, spirits, and cultural experiences.
Prior to entering the hospitality industry, she served in philanthropy and higher education, where she led initiatives focused on strengthening long-term capacity and opportunity for individuals and communities.
Her interdisciplinary background informs her leadership in hospitality—combining cultural storytelling, education, and curated experiences to advance appreciation for Japanese beverage traditions while building meaningful connections across industries and communities.
Richie Meneses Vicente
VP, Community Business Officer
Emmyrich "Richie" Meneses Vicente is a Vice President and Community Business Officer with PNC's Community Development Banking Group in the Greater Washington Area, where he focuses on small business lending in low- to moderate-income communities.
With more than 28 years at PNC, Richie has held leadership roles in branch management, enterprise councils, and supplier engagement. He is a multi-award-winning relationship manager, earning honors such as the Small Business Elite Award and Business Person of the Year.
He is deeply engaged in the community, serving on the boards of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Story Tapestries, and Filipino American Cancer Care, among many others. He is widely recognized as a connector, community builder, and catalyst for positive change.
Adrianna Bonilla
Assistant Director of Business Development
Adriana Bonilla is the Assistant Director of Business Development at AED, where she leads strategic partnerships and initiatives focused on business attraction, retention, and expansion to drive economic growth in Arlington, Virginia.
With over 17 years of experience, including senior roles at the Organization of American States, she has worked with more than 30 governments and 100 companies across the Americas. She co-founded the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the State Department, generating over 100 strategic partnerships and impacting more than 30,000 beneficiaries.
She is known for building cross-sector ecosystems, using data and KPIs to strengthen economic development, and advancing inclusive growth that benefits both communities and businesses.
