William Giandoni credits Hampton Roads with helping shape both his personal and professional journey, making the opportunity to support Hampton University especially meaningful.
His connection to the region has remained a constant throughout a career rooted in entrepreneurship, innovation, and service. An Old Dominion University alumnus and seasoned business owner, William co-founded and grown several business ventures. He now serves as Chief Strategy Officer of Sprezzatura, a mission-driven, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.
Will recently sponsored the Hampton Athletics Hall of Fame event in support of 68 Oak, Hampton University’s official NIL collective. In addition, he generously donated to the 68 Oak Athlete Village for Homecoming 2026. In this Sponsor Spotlight, Will shares more about his background and his commitment to creating opportunities for student-athletes.
William Giandoni on Entrepreneurship, Service & Supporting 68 Oak
Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself?
“I consider myself a serial entrepreneur. I began my career with a boutique private equity firm in Southern California before returning to Virginia and working as a financial analyst for a government contractor in Washington, D.C. That experience helped me realize I had a talent and passion for business development.
In 2010, I co-founded GovernmentCIO. We grew the company from a two-person operation to more than 500 employees before it was acquired in 2020. Since then, I have continued building businesses and learning from both their successes and challenges.
In 2024, my sister and I acquired Sprezzatura. The company specializes in technology and digital transformation work for the federal government, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our teams manage the platforms supporting critical applications and services that veterans rely on, including tools connected to healthcare, benefits, insurance, and crisis support.
The people doing this work care deeply about the VA and its mission. That sense of purpose is at the heart of Sprezzatura.”
Q. As an Old Dominion University alumnus with strong ties to Hampton Roads, you’ve been very intentional about supporting the broader community. What inspired you to become involved with Hampton University’s NIL collective, 68 Oak?
“Hampton Roads changed my life. I grew up in a military family, so we moved frequently. My years at Old Dominion were the first time I had been part of one community for an extended period, and I attribute much of my personal and professional success to what Hampton Roads gave me.
It provided me with a home, a strong community, and experiences that helped shape who I am today. Hampton Roads is also an incredibly unique region, and I want to see it continue to succeed. Whenever I have an opportunity to support people and organizations in the area, I want to help; learning more about 68 Oak and their mission to equip student-athletes with the tools for success made getting involved an easy decision.”
Q. Sprezzatura is a mission-driven, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). How have your personal connection to the veteran community and your experiences in business shaped that mission?
“My connection to the veteran community is deeply personal. My sister is a veteran, my father is a veteran, and my grandparents also served. Coming from a long line of veterans has given me a tremendous amount of respect for those who serve and for the families who support them.
That connection makes Sprezzatura’s work especially meaningful. We are helping manage the technology platforms that support essential tools veterans use every day. Throughout my career, I have learned that growth is most meaningful when it is tied to a larger purpose. At Sprezzatura, our goal is not simply to deliver a strategy. We want to turn ambitious ideas into measurable outcomes that make government services more effective and accessible for the people who depend on them.”
Q. What made sponsoring Hampton University’s Hall of Fame and Homecoming events a meaningful opportunity for you?
“The Hall of Fame event was an opportunity to celebrate excellence while supporting a community that means a great deal to me. Hampton University has an extraordinary athletic history, and recognizing the individuals who contributed to that legacy is important.
It was also meaningful to know that the sponsorship could support Hampton Athletics beyond the event itself. When the Hampton team discussed the department’s current priorities and the ways sponsorship funding could make an impact across multiple programs, I was happy to defer to the people doing that work every day.”
Q. 68 Oak’s broader mission is to create opportunities for Hampton student-athletes, from NIL and professional development to relationships and resources. Why do you believe investing in student-athletes in this way matters?
“Student-athletes are developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives: discipline, resilience, teamwork, time management, and leadership. However, they also need opportunities to translate those skills into professional relationships, business experience, and long-term career pathways.
That is what makes 68 Oak’s work so important. NIL is about more than a single partnership or financial opportunity. When approached thoughtfully, it can help student-athletes understand their value, develop their personal brands, build networks, and begin preparing for life after college. Investing in student-athletes gives them the resources and relationships to make the most of the opportunities in front of them.”
Q. What do you hope your involvement with Hampton and 68 Oak can help make possible for current student-athletes and the broader Hampton Roads community?
“I hope our involvement contributes to sustainable opportunities for student-athletes and helps strengthen the connections among Hampton University, its alumni, local businesses, and the broader community.”
Q. For student-athletes beginning to think about life after college, what advice would you give them?
“Build genuine relationships, stay curious, and learn from the people around you. The discipline and resilience you have developed as an athlete are tremendous advantages, but you must be willing to apply those qualities in new environments.
Most importantly, do not define yourself by only one role. Athletics may be an important part of your identity, but your skills, influence, and ability to make an impact can extend far beyond competition.”
Support Hampton University Athletics
William Giandoni's support of 68 Oak reflects a shared commitment to service and community investment. Partnerships like these help us create the best opportunities for Hampton student-athletes during college and beyond. Learn how you can support our mission and get involved.