Keynote: The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor: Accelerating Virginia’s 4th Economic Engine

The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor (BRIC) is a coalition of businesses advancing Virginia’s second fastest-growing region from Danville to Martinsville to Roanoke and Blacksburg, and the counties in between. In this lunch session, Rachel Yost will share how BRIC is bringing business leaders together to scale innovation-driven growth in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, national security, and infrastructure, positioning the corridor as Virginia’s fourth economic engine.

Rachel Yost is the Acting Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor (BRIC), a coalition of businesses dedicated to advancing Virginia’s second fastest-growing region – from Danville to Martinsville to Roanoke and Blacksburg, and the counties in between. BRIC unites business leaders to drive inclusive, innovation-driven economic growth at a megaregion scale, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, biotech/life sciences, national security, and infrastructure investment.

Alongside her role with BRIC, Rachel is Managing Partner at S.I.R., where she leads the firm’s practice area in economic development, tourism, cities/counties, and placemaking. Since joining S.I.R. in 2005, she has guided research-driven strategies for cities, counties, and regional organizations nationwide. A national keynote presenter, Rachel frequently shares S.I.R.’s trends shaping communities and organizations.

Rachel serves on the Board of Directors for ChamberRVA, the MCV Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Board of Directors for For Richmond. Rachel lives in Richmond with her husband, their one-year-old identical twin boys, and two lab dogs.