The Roanoker March/April 2017 - 27

world, we can help them figure out the next best step
for them if they need that help. If they don't, I just sit
back and watch them do that awesome work. It's a lot
of listening and learning."
Originally from Burlington, North Carolina, Lev
received a bachelor's in communications broadcasting
from Appalachian State University. She followed that
with a master's in communication culture and technology at Georgetown University, studying how people
communicate from the theoretical side all the way to
how sound gets out of a microphone, out of speakers
and into your ears. She also studied the future of communications, and how technology impacts things like
television and print and digital means.
"I couldn't have picked or been in a better job [than
the CoLab], because that's what I do. We talk about
technology all the time and how it impacts people," she
says. "Even our members that work with a trade will
sometimes come in to do accounting with software, so
it's all hooked into that technology side which is important for my background to have that continuing education with that since it changes so fast. I'm thankful
to tech-savvy members who have kept me updated on
that stuff."
Lev is glad to have had big-city experiences because
it helped her understand more about the world. When
she and her husband left the D.C. area, they weren't
sure where they wanted to be, and ended up picking
Roanoke off a map. They knew they wanted a city that
didn't completely revolve around a university, preferring
a consistent, non-transient population of people who
choose to stay in the area.
Now she and Sam own their home in the Grandin
neighborhood. Lev runs the foodie-based Instagram account for @eatrke, showcasing all the unique restaurants
Roanoke has to offer. As Sam works in the food industry,
they're conscious about what they eat and where it comes
from, and they love trying new things and shopping at
farmers markets. They also enjoy hiking and running,
and anything else outdoors.
Lev is also a dedicated weaver, initially started as a
stress-relieving hobby. She loved it immediately, and
began posting photos online to share her work. She was
surprised by a number of people asking to buy the finished product. Rather than turn it into a profit-driven
exercise that would take away the fun, she decided to
sell her work and donate the profits. Her first $1,000
went to Angels of Assisi, and while she understands the
money will go where needed within the nonprofit, she
hopes some of the money will be used for their senior
dogs, as it's a personal passion for her. The next thousand
will go to another animal-oriented nonprofit, spreading
the love across city and county lines.
"I try to get a little bit of weaving done every night. It
THEROANOKER.COM

CallySmith
never gets old and is so much fun," she says. "I also feel
like donations opens up a different type of accessibility
for people. It's more of a gift for themselves because not
only do they love the work, but it reminds them that it
connects to the community in a deeper way."

CALLY Smith

Roanoke Regional Chamber
VP of Membership and Brand Strategy
26 years old
Cally Smith is the biggest cheerleader you'll ever
have the pleasure of meeting. And as vice president
MARCH/APRIL 2017 | 27

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The Roanoker March/April 2017

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