There’s another change at the top at Lighthouse Labs, with Debbie Irwin stepping in to replace Art Espey as managing director of the Richmond accelerator.
Irwin will join Lighthouse Labs on Feb. 26, just before the accelerator’s new spring cohort kicks off in early March. Irwin was previously executive director of the Staunton-based Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, overseeing its lending portfolio and growing the organization’s budget tenfold. She is also the co-founder of The Manufactory Collective, a manufacturing-focused coworking and support space in Harrisonburg.
“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.”
Espey stepped in as managing director in April, replacing Paul Nolde after he left for a similar role with the 757 Collab and 757 Angels in Norfolk. Nolde was in the role for just about a year, replacing Erin Powell in May 2022.
Lighthouse Labs said Espey is leaving his role as director to return to “semi-retirement” but will remain on the accelerator’s board of directors. Lighthouse Labs billed his 10-month tenure as an interim placement in Friday’s announcement of the leadership change, but his hiring was not publicly described as interim or temporary when it was announced in April.
When reached for comment, a representative from Lighthouse Labs said its board "always planned for the role to be a short-term one for Art, but the timing wasn't clear," so the board opted not to call him an interim director.
“I’m leaving Lighthouse Labs in great hands,” Espey said in a statement. “Lighthouse is a special organization doing amazing work with and for stellar founders, and I have every confidence that work will continue.”
Lighthouse Labs recently unveiled is the 16th batch of participants in its accelerator program. It has accelerated 119 companies and doled out $2.2 million since the program’s launch in 2013.
