InBIA Welcomes Six New Directors and Honors Outgoing Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

InBIA Welcomes Six New Directors, Honors Outgoing Board Members

ORLANDO, FL – October 1, 2026

The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) is pleased to welcome six leaders to its Board of Directors, while recognizing three outgoing directors who have each completed six years of dedicated service to the association.

Welcoming InBIA's Newest Board Members

• Dalida Sassoon Bollig, Chief Executive Officer, Business Incubator Center
• Michael "Mike" Brizek, Ph.D., Director, Higher Education Ecosystems, VentureWell
• Patrice Dume, M.S., M.A., Director of University Business Accelerator & Entrepreneurship Coordinator, East Stroudsburg University
• Naila Jackson, Executive Director and CEO, Network Navigator
• Dr. Sheffie Robinson, Director of Business Incubation, Georgia Southern University
• Robin Burtner, Director, Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, Shippensburg University

Bollig, Brizek, Dume, Jackson, and Robinson will each begin a first three-year term on the Board. Burtner has been appointed to complete the remaining two years of a term vacated by a former director. All terms begin October 1.

The incoming directors bring a broad range of experience spanning entrepreneurship center leadership, economic development, higher education, ecosystem building, innovation, and small business support. Their extensive perspectives will help guide InBIA as the association strengthens its global community of entrepreneur support organizations and the professionals who lead them.

"InBIA is fortunate to welcome an exceptional group of leaders who understand both the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneur support organizations today," said Charles Ross, President and CEO of InBIA. "Each brings valuable experience, fresh perspective, and a strong commitment to helping entrepreneurs and the organizations that serve them succeed, and we look forward to their leadership as InBIA enters its next chapter."

Celebrating Six Years of Leadership and Service

InBIA also extends its deepest gratitude to three directors concluding their service after completing two consecutive three year terms:

• Linda Fowler, Founder and President, Regionerate
• Lisa Smith, Founder and President, North Star Innovation Partners
• Brad Rickelman, Director, Business and Entrepreneurial Services, Meridian Technology Center

During their six years on the Board, Fowler, Smith, and Rickelman provided leadership and guidance during a significant period in InBIA's evolution, contributing time, expertise, and perspective that strengthened the association and advanced its mission of supporting entrepreneurship centers and ecosystem builders around the world.

"Linda, Lisa, and Brad have given InBIA something extraordinarily valuable: six years of their leadership, judgment, and commitment," said Ross. "They helped us navigate challenges, pursue new opportunities, and stay focused on serving our members. On behalf of our staff, Board, and the entire InBIA community, thank you for your service and for the lasting impact you've made on this organization."

InBIA's Board of Directors is composed of leaders from entrepreneur support organizations and entrepreneurial ecosystems across the United States and around the world. The Board provides governance and strategic direction in support of InBIA's mission to equip entrepreneur support professionals with the resources, training, thought leadership, and community they need to improve outcomes for entrepreneurs.

About the International Business Innovation Association

The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the work of entrepreneur support organizations and the professionals who lead them. For more than 40 years, InBIA has provided industry best practices, professional education, resources, peer learning, and a global community for business incubators, accelerators, entrepreneurship centers, and other organizations supporting entrepreneurs.

For general press-related questions, please contact Charles Ross at cross@inbia.org.