Geneva Dummer is an ideal candidate for the Veteran of the Year® or Vetrepreneur® of the Year (VOY) Award due to her exemplary service, continuous dedication to education, and innovative contributions to her community. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, Geneva proudly served in the U.S. Navy for seven years as an Avionics Technician, culminating her military career as a Quality Assurance Inspector. Her commitment to excellence continued as she pursued a B.S. in Molecular Biology and a Master of Science Degree in Molecular Biology.
Upon moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Geneva's versatility was evident through her roles in HR, Risk Management, IT, and financial operations management. Ultimately, she founded The Meeting Place, a shared office facility and business incubator aimed at fostering business growth and community collaboration.
Geneva actively contributes to her community by serving on numerous nonprofit boards, participating in local community theater, and holding key roles in organizations like the Heritage Trails Partnership, Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation, and the Public Relations Association of Mississippi - Beach Chapter. Her dedication to community service and business development is further highlighted by her management of the StartUp Gulf Coast Pitch Competition, an initiative hosted by the Gulf Coast Business Counsel and funded through Innovate Mississippi, MS Small Business Development Network, and Connect MS.
The Meeting Place
My life has been a series of adaptations. Regardless of the situation in which I find myself, I have become quite good at building new opportunities using my past experiences as a viable foundation. I have all of my parents, mom, dad (USN) and step-mom to thank for helping me develop this skill during my formative years. They encouraged me to work and to be secure in my strengths and abilities as I explored opportunities, both paid and volunteer. They made sure I was able to fulfill my obligations and let me solve problems I encountered along the way. Without this particular set of skills, I would not have accomplished most of what I have today. My husband (USMC) has been a wonderful source of influence and support through our 26 years together. Without these people in my life, I would likely be in a very different place.
Geneva is a dedicated leader with over 30 years of cross-industry experience, specializing in strategic planning and problem solving. Her unique ability to balance detailed execution with big-picture thinking has made her an asset to the MS Gulf Coast. A U.S. Navy veteran, she served seven years as an Avionics Technician before working as a research scientist and earning a M.S in Molecular Biology. Geneva launched The Meeting Place business incubator in 2016, partnered with Innovate MS and the MS SBDC, and supported veteran entrepreneurs through MSU’s VBOC program. She has received multiple honors, including the Gulf Coast Business Council’s Small Business Leadership Award and recognition as a One Coast Community Leader. Geneva actively contributes to her community through leadership roles with Heritage Trails Partnership, Bike Walk Mississippi, and other civic organizations. She resides in Biloxi with her husband and two children and enjoys occasionally performing with local theaters.
