Valerie Rivas is an award-winning business strategist, speaker, and champion for small business growth. With over 20 years of experience in finance and consulting—including 10 years as Vice President at Bank of America—Valerie launched EVIA to help entrepreneurs and business owners access capital, embrace innovation through technology, and expand through strategic digital marketing.

 

EVIA stands for Empower, Vision, Innovate, Amplify—and that’s exactly what Valerie brings to every client and project. Her mission is to bridge the gap between ambition and action by offering expert guidance in funding solutions, AI-powered software and mobile app development, and tailored marketing strategies.

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Valerie has been recognized at both the local and state levels for her impact in business and community development. Her accolades include—but not limited to:

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• 2024 State of California-Amplifying Latino Voices

• 2023 Vermont Slauson Economic Development Center-Community Impact Award

• 2023 Bank of America-Community Impact Award

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She is a sought-after speaker who has presented on entrepreneurship, capital access, and innovation at local, state, and national conferences. Her voice has resonated on stages hosted by chambers of commerce, economic forums, business expos, and national business councils—always with a goal to inspire, inform, and empower.

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In addition to leading EVIA, Valerie is the host of "Let'z Connect Now – Your Business Resource", a podcast spotlighting expert insights and real stories for small business success. She also serves on multiple nonprofit boards, dedicating her time to advancing equity and entrepreneurship across communities.

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For Valerie, EVIA is more than a business—it's a movement to help others fund their dreams, innovate fearlessly, and grow with purpose.