Sonya Rush

Sonya C. Rush is an accomplished Strategic Business Leader with a passion for entrepreneurship advocacy.

After a successful career at a leading consumer-packaged goods company, Sonya transitioned into consulting, specializing in entrepreneurship education and project development. She notably led the creation and implementation of Spelpreneur, a co-curricular entrepreneurship education initiative at Spelman College. Recently, she coached at Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X, which helps students launch businesses through the Summer Startup Launch program. She has also mentored an early stage MedTech founder and served as a SCORE mentor, guiding small businesses.

During her impressive 20-year career tenure at Altria, Sonya earned recognition as a strategic thinker and business leader. Her diverse background in both engineering and business equipped her to participate in innovative, transformative initiatives in the manufacturing and marketing of consumer brands. As a Director in Marketing, she excelled in launching and turning-around consumer brands and marketing services divisions, driving growth and sustainability. She also served as a Manufacturing Superintendent, involved with starting up a new manufacturing plant.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Sonya is engaged in community service. She serves on the advisory board of the City Springs Theatre Company and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She has played integral roles in various initiatives at her alma mater, Georgia Tech. Sonya held positions such as member-at-large on the executive committee of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees, president of the Georgia Tech Black Alumni Organization (GTBAO) and co-chair of the inaugural GTBAO endowment scholarship campaign.

Originally from Louisiana, Sonya received a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan.