Nicole Royer is a Senior Program Manager with over 20 years of experience in strategic innovation, business transformation, grant development, and technical assistance program design. She has led high-impact programs across industries, integrating emerging technologies and human-centered design to drive meaningful change.

Nicole began her career in startups, managing RFPs and government contracts, which built her expertise in procurement, compliance, and large-scale funding strategies. She later became a highly skilled grant writer and strategist, securing funding from private foundations and federal agencies, including Rotary International, Department of Energy, and National Science Foundation. She is also a grant recipient from the University of Notre Dame’s Jumpstart Competition and a finalist in their McCloskey New Venture Competition for an AI/IoT startup project.

She has consulted for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits, guiding leaders through complex strategy shifts to ensure long-term success. Her ability to align emerging technologies, business process optimization, and impact-driven innovation has positioned her as a trusted advisor. Nicole has led grant-funded technical assistance programs supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs and small business owners. At Pacific Community Ventures, she designed and facilitated the Lending Readiness Accelerator Program and led the Business Fundamentals cohort, helping businesses access capital and scale operations. She also serves as a business advising mentor, offering tailored guidance to entrepreneurs.

Beyond her consulting work, she serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees at Winston-Salem Montessori School, leading efforts in governance, financial strategy, and strategic planning. She is also a dedicated public policy and mental health advocate, having helped develop the Mental Health Parity Act as a Field Advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Her innovative approach to business development and community building using AI was featured in the book Get the Meeting. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and a M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University, along with a certification in Instructional Design.