Our dynamic team of leaders and experts is dedicated to empowering women in the marketplace.
Dr. Yvette Rice
LLVE, LLC owner and President
Dr. Yvette Rice, the owner and President of LLVE, LLC, brings a unique approach to Leadership. With over 35 years of combined experience in the STEM Industry as an engineer, program manager, and entrepreneur, Rice has a proven track record of achieving results, developing talent, and creating lasting cultural change.
Dr. Rice’s work is not just about professional success but about empowering women to thrive in all aspects of their lives. She promotes developmental systems that foster resilience, build confidence, and cultivate excellence. As a Leadership Development subject matter expert for women in the marketplace, Dr. Rice is dedicated to breaking gender barriers and enabling women to make significant global contributions in their industries. Dr. Rice’s skills are prevalent as she leads the LLVE, LLC team, which provides services through their Leading Edge Institute for Women.
Regardless of the needs of the women in the marketplace, Dr. Rice understands the importance of breaking through gender barriers. A 1982 graduate of the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), Rice was part of the initial groups of women to earn engineering degrees. That group was even smaller relative to the number of minority females graduating in engineering during that time. Because of her diverse career span, Dr. Rice recognized the need to offer various types of leadership programs for women, including one for those women who seek to lead their teams using faith principles and from a Biblical approach.
For over seven years of her career, Dr. Rice demonstrated Program Management excellence and execution strategies in support of a United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Programming Administration and Execution (PAX) System multi-million-dollar, multiyear support contract as a Senior Leader of a United States (US) government contractor. While leading this organization, Dr. Rice led her team as they provided professional development facilitation for US Military organizations globally.
Rice uses her gifts and abilities to inspire and empower women worldwide through her keynote speeches and facilitation, her weekly VLOG titled “5 Minutes to Victory” on Facebook, and her podcast, “There’s More to Your Story.” Serving as a Small Business Development and Executive Coach, Rice encourages women to enthusiastically pursue their dreams and purposes, regardless of any obstacles they may face. She is an Amazon bestselling author who uses her expertise, influence, and business insight to partner with Senior Executives of Fortune 100 corporations to produce books, professional development training curricula, and prolific articles related to Leadership and Personal Development, Mentorship, Executive Coaching, and Small Business Advancement.
Dr. Rice is a lifelong learner who continues to pursue knowledge and growth in her field. She has a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering from the University of Alabama and a master’s and doctoral degree in theology from the North Carolina College of Theology Satellite Extension Program in Wilmington, North Carolina. Dr. Rice is also a Welch Scholar Distinction MBA graduate of the Jack Welch Management Online Institute at Strayer University with a specialty in Leadership.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Rice serves her community as a member of the Decatur-Morgan CEO (Creative Entrepreneurial Opportunity) Program Board of Directors and President-Elect of The E-Center (formerly Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center) Board of Directors.
Dr. Amanda Goodson
Leadership Development Consultant
As an aerospace engineer at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), Dr. Amanda Goodson became the first female senior executive in Safety & Mission Assurance for Propulsion Systems. She also served as the first African American woman appointed as Director of Safety & Mission Assurance, with over 35 successful launches under her leadership at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Launch Facility. Dr. Goodson is presently a senior leader, business operations manager, and staff executive at a Fortune 100 Engineering Firm. A woman of multiple revenue streams, Dr. Goodson is the owner of Amanda Goodson Global, LLC. Dr. Goodson was a 2022 Women of Color STEM Career Achievement Award recipient.
Goodson’s educational background includes a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, an M.S. in Management, and a Doctorate in Leadership Administration. Goodson is also certified through the NASA Management Education Program and the Penn State University Program for Strategic Leadership
Mrs. Odetta Scott, MBA, MSOD
Leadership Development Consultant
Odetta Scott, a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, is an Associate Director of Indirect Procurement for a major Fortune 100 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Corporation.
Scott has cultivated a commendable passion for helping others through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs for close to 24 years. She is the 2021 recipient of the Career Communications Group, Incorporated, Women of Color Diversity Leadership Award. Additionally, Scott chairs the Leading Inspired Females in Technology (LIFT) Recognition & Retention Committee.
Scott obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University. She received her MBA from Jackson State University and a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University.
Ms. Lorie Smith
Executive Assistant
Lorie Smith serves as the Executive Assistant to Dr. Yvette Rice at LLVE, LLC. After graduating from college, Lorie lived in different parts of the United States. When she decided to settle down and raise her family, she chose Decatur, Alabama, as her permanent home. Lorie became part of the LLVE, LLC team in 2023 and is excited to witness how the company and the women it serves will make a global impact.
Lorie started her academic journey at Athens State University, where she earned a B.S. degree in behavioral science and sociology. Initially, she planned to work in geriatric case management but felt a calling to serve others. Her heart was a vessel for the gift of service bestowed by God. Lorie uses that gift as the Member Support Coordinator for Decatur’s Best and Brightest Initiative, where she enjoys helping young professionals in Decatur find community and create fulfilling lives.
Besides her professional and community work, Lorie enjoys spending time with her children and extended family. Her greatest happiness comes from her grandchildren, Aubree and Boston, with whom she treasures every moment.
Mrs. Vernette Elliott
Sr. Contract Consultant
Before joining the LLVE, LLC team, Mrs. Vernette Elliott served for 35 years in various roles including contract specialist, supervisory contract specialist, division director, and director for multiple federal agencies. Her responsibilities included procuring a wide range of contracts for simplified acquisitions, major weapon systems, support services, and information technology, with values ranging from $25,000 to over $1 billion. Throughout her career, Vernette developed into a dedicated procurement professional who was committed to mentoring her staff and equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed in their roles and cultivate productive working relationships.