Lighthouse Labs names new managing director

Debbie Irwin, the former director of the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, will be the next managing director of Lighthouse Labs, the Richmond accelerator announced Friday. She begins her new role Feb. 26.

Irwin is leaving her role at SCCF, another entrepreneurial support organization based in Staunton, where she served for six years, first as director of education and marketing and then as executive director. Before that, she was director of programs and special events for the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, according to her LinkedIn page.

At SCCF, Irwin grew the organization’s budget by 10 times and grew its staff to 14, managed small business development efforts and won three major state/federal grants and oversaw its lending portfolio, according to a news release from Lighthouse Labs.

Irwin also founded The Manufactory Collective, a manufacturing-focused coworking and support space in Harrisonburg, and serves on the City of Staunton and Stafford County Joint Industrial Development Authority, which supports the Virginia Municipal League and Virginia Association of Counties municipal programs.

“As Lighthouse Labs focuses on the next 10 years, I’m pleased to have an opportunity to build on past work,” Irwin said in a statement. “Lighthouse’s strong record of accelerating dynamic — and successful — startups while investing in the lives of founders has set the organization up for continued growth.”

Art Espey stepped in to lead Lighthouse Labs last April, after Paul Nolde departed to become managing director of Norfolk-based 757 Angels and 757 Collab. Espey will continue to serve on Lighthouse Labs’ board of directors.

“Debbie brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning and fundraising, both critical to Lighthouse Labs as we progress into our second decade,” Joe Whitchurch, president of the Lighthouse Labs Board of Directors, said in a statement. “Her understanding of founder needs, deep connections across Virginia and growth mindset are skills that impressed the hiring committee. We look forward to welcoming her to the Lighthouse Labs team.”

Lighthouse Labs is an accelerator supporting founders and startups. It has accelerated 119 companies and invested more than $2.2 million since its founding in 2012. Its 11-week program provides founders with support from mentors, industry experts, investors, free office space and $20,000 in equity-free funding. The accelerator announced its spring cohort of eight startups this week.