About Me

Two-thirds of Americans are concerned about our environment. I am too. After working for almost 30 years with entrepreneurs and innovators, I believe that they could be the solution for taking on problems from climate change to plastic in our oceans. I want to share what I have learned so environmental changemakers...sustainable entrepreneurs...can start their next business to be a part of the solution. 

 I am fortunate experience a vibrant career in supporting entrepreneurs and innovators. I am currently the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Director (https://uncw.edu/cie/). 

CIE nurtures emerging startups and accelerates the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeastern North Carolina as a vibrant hub of innovation and a central facility that offers educational events, UNCW connections, and a state-of-the-art incubator space.  In particular, check out the All Blue initiative (https://allbluenc.org/) that is taking on issues such as sustainable aquaculture and coastal resiliency. 

I am also an Adjunct Professor, teaching online entrepreneurship classes for Penn State. I love teaching the students, and in particular teach an Entrepreneurial Leadership class that supports student teams building startups that solve sustainability and disability issues.

Prior to joining CIE, most recently I have led the UNCW North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), the SBTDC Statewide Business Launch Initiative, and the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses have been supported by me and my teams to help them start, grow, and prosper.

 I have also had fun creating and/or supporting programs such as Penn State Global Entrepreneurship Week (gew.psu.edu), Happy Valley LaunchBox (launchbox.psu.edu), Invent Penn State (invent.psu.edu), TechCelerator@State College (cnp.benfranklin.org/are-ben-franklins-techcelerator-boot-camps-right-for-you), and The Investment (https://wpsu.psu.edu/tv/programs/theinvestment/). 

I have a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State, a M.S. in Energy and Mineral Engineering from Penn State, and a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Environmental Engineering. I am the proud mother of three incredible children who are now adults and are creating wonderful journeys to help others as well.