Genia Stevens, Founder and Executive Director 

For over 20 years, Genia has supported clients with marketing strategy development, strategic planning, business plan development, and community engagement. Genia has extensive experience with nonprofit strategic planning, organizational development, community outreach, community engagement and fundraising. For three years, Genia served as the Entrepreneur in Residence for Madison College – Goodman South Campus. 

Genia has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees, including Associated Bank’s Community Markets Advisory Council, the City of Beloit Equal Opportunities Commission, the Beloit NAACP Economic Development Committee, the Beloit NAACP Political Action Committee, the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools, the Beloit Memorial High School’s Master Planning Committee, and the Beloit School District Strategic Planning Committee. She’s currently serving as a Rock County Board Supervisor, representing District 13 and a she’s member of the Board of Directors of  Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP).

Genia was named a YWCA Rock County Woman of Distinction, she’s been named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders, and she’s received the Beloit NAACP’s Community Service Award.  The Beloit Coalition of Churches named Genia a 2023 Groundbreaker and Trailblazer.

Genia received a Bachelors from Beloit College and a Masters in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University.

Vanessa Taylor, Program Manager

Vanessa Taylor provides leadership for the development, management, and delivery of Rock County Jumpstart’s incubator and accelerator, with support from Jumpstart team members and community partners.

She is an experienced Project Manager who’s well-versed in managing customer relationships, operations, and complex projects.

She comes to Rock County Jumpstart after working at Walgreens as an Operations Director, Greenlink Energy Solutions as a Project Administrator, then PCI Pharma Services as a Commercial Associate Project Manager.

Vanessa’s background in spearheading and improving various fiscal processes and operations, resulting in driving strategic business growth, compliance, and productivity provides her the skills necessary to develop processes and strategies that help Rock County Jumpstart fulfill its mission and vision.

Andrew Stevens, Digital Content Creator

Andrew pllays a key role in creating and delivering engaging and inspiring content across a range of digital channels, ensuring Rock County Jumpstart’s digital presence supports and enhances our brand messaging.

Andrew supports the Executive Director in shaping the digital content strategy. His role requires someone who is creative and can identify, create, manage, and deliver digital content using a range of techniques, across various channels, including social media, video, and podcasting. The role works across a range of projects in the organization.

Andrew comes to Rock County Jumpstart with 20 years experience in game development, being a self-taught game developer since the age of 9. He has 10 years experience in Digital Marketing, 5 years experience in web development, and 15 years experience in video editing.

Fran Zamora, Latino Support Services Coordinator

As the Latino Support Services Coordinator, Fran is at the forefront of crafting and rolling out community outreach efforts designed to strengthen the organization’s bonds with the Latino community in Rock County, WI. Her dedication plays a crucial role in enhancing the organization’s capacity to offer valuable entrepreneurial support to Latino-owned businesses in the area.