Meet
THE TEAM
Angel Samples
Founder & Creative Director
Angel Samples is an award-winning entrepreneur, photographer, and business owner passionate about helping the next generation build confidence through creativity and real-world business experience.
Angel brings together her background in branding, business, marketing, and event design to create an inspiring platform for young entrepreneurs to grow and be celebrated.
She created Ascent to give kids and teens the opportunity to showcase their ideas, develop leadership skills, connect with their community, and gain hands-on experience running a business in a supportive and exciting environment.
Through thoughtfully designed experiences, mentorship, entertainment, and community involvement, Angel hopes to inspire young people to dream bigger, believe in their abilities, and discover what’s possible at a young age.
Jody Marie
Brand Strategy Consultant
Jody Marie Williams is a brand strategist and event producer with over fifteen years of experience building memorable moments across the staffing, political, and nonprofit sectors. Her work spans national activations, large-scale productions, and brand campaigns designed to command the industry conversation.
She builds the kind of presence that earns a room and the relationships that outlast it. Her approach is precise, cinematic, and entirely intentional.
For Ascent, Jody leads brand strategy, sponsorship development, and event execution alongside Angel and the team. She believes young founders deserve platforms that take them seriously, and that the next generation should grow up watching women build with confidence, ownership, and unmistakable grace.
She is honored to help cue the next generation of founders into the spotlight.
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Callie Quinlan
Project Manager
Callie Quinlan is a marketing strategist, community builder, and creative storyteller with a background spanning growth marketing, brand development, event management, and audience engagement across media, technology, and nonprofit initiatives.
With over a decade of experience leading campaigns, partnerships, and experiential programming, Callie is passionate about creating spaces where people feel connected, inspired, and empowered to bring ideas to life. Her work blends strategic thinking with a people-first approach to communication, mentorship, and community building.
Working with Ascent, she is excited to help create opportunities where young entrepreneurs feel encouraged to lead boldly, think creatively, and see the value in their ideas and voices.
As Project Manager, Callie helps oversee the planning, organization, and coordination of Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market. From managing timelines and supporting the event team to helping ensure each detail comes together smoothly, she plays an important role in creating a seamless and positive experience for vendors, families, sponsors, and guests throughout the event.
Volunteer
Vendor Relations Coordinator
As Vendor Relations Coordinator, [Name] works closely with vendors to help create a smooth, organized, and positive event experience. From answering questions to assisting with day-of support, they play an important role in helping young entrepreneurs and their families feel welcomed, prepared, and supported throughout Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market.
Bonnie Garrett
Talent Coordinator
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Bonnie has dedicated a big part of her career to mentoring youth as they prepare for the spotlight. As a seasoned consultant, director, and judge across the Southeast, she specializes in refining the essential skills needed for success both on and off the stage. Her approach focuses on building confidence through comprehensive interview preparation and polished stage presence, ensuring each individual can present her most authentic self.
In addition to her work in the pageant world, Bonnie serves as a Senior Government Recruiter, a role that reinforces her professional eye for talent and presentation. She leverages this unique dual perspective to help girls identify their strengths and hone their individual skills for the stage. By balancing technical coaching with a passion for community service, she empowers the next generation to present themselves with poise, purpose, and excellence.
Ava Randall
Event Operations Coordinator
As Event Operations Coordinator, Ava helps ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for vendors and families during event check-in and throughout the day. From assisting with registration to helping coordinate event flow, she plays an important role in creating an organized and positive experience for every young entrepreneur participating in Ascent.
Volunteer
Director of Guest Experience
As Director of Guest Experience, [Name] helps create a welcoming, organized, and memorable experience for vendors, families, and attendees throughout the event. From guest support to event flow and hospitality, they play an important role in making sure every visitor feels valued and connected to the mission of Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market.
Volunteer
Content & Social Media Manager
As Content & Social Media Manager, [Name] helps bring the vision of Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market to life through digital storytelling, event promotion, and community engagement. From social media content to behind-the-scenes moments, they play an important role in sharing the energy, creativity, and inspiration behind the event.
Volunteer
Vendor Relations Team
As Vendor Relations Team Member, [Name] works closely with vendors to help create a smooth, organized, and positive event experience. From answering questions to assisting with day-of support, they play an important role in helping young entrepreneurs and their families feel welcomed, prepared, and supported throughout Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market.
Volunteer
Content & Social Media Team
As Content & Social Media Team Member, [Name] helps bring the vision of Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market to life through digital storytelling, event promotion, and community engagement. From social media content to behind-the-scenes moments, they play an important role in sharing the energy, creativity, and inspiration behind the event.
Photographer
Photographer
As Event Photographer, [Name] captures the energy, creativity, and unforgettable moments that make Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market so special. From vendor highlights to award celebrations, their work helps preserve and share the inspiring stories of the next generation of young entrepreneurs.
Videographer
Videographer
As Event Videographer, [Name] captures the excitement, creativity, and inspiring moments that bring Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market to life. Through dynamic event coverage and storytelling, they help showcase the passion and talent of the next generation of young entrepreneurs.
Jay Stephens
Stage Assistant
As Stage Assistant, Jay helps ensure performances and stage activities including the award ceremony run smoothly throughout the event. From assisting performers and coordinating transitions to helping maintain an organized stage environment, they play an important role in creating a fun, professional, and seamless experience for guests, families, and young talent during Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market.
Erin Donath
General Support Team
As a member of the General Support Team, Erin helps keep the event running smoothly behind the scenes throughout the day. From assisting with setup and guest support to helping wherever needed during the event, they play an important role in creating an organized, welcoming, and positive experience for vendors, families, and young entrepreneurs at Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market
Volunteer
Photo Keepsake Attendant
As Photo Keepsake Attendant, [Name] helps guests capture fun memories from the event through instant photo keepsakes. From taking quick photos to creating personalized photo keychains on-site, they help provide families and young entrepreneurs with a special souvenir to remember their experience at Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market.
Volunteer
General Support Team
As a member of the General Support Team, [Name] helps keep the event running smoothly behind the scenes throughout the day. From assisting with setup and guest support to helping wherever needed during the event, they play an important role in creating an organized, welcoming, and positive experience for vendors, families, and young entrepreneurs at Ascent Greenville’s Future Founders Market