Principal

• Jun 2013 - Present

I am the trusted advisor I longed for when I was leading efforts and organizations. With nearly 30 years of experience in economic development, building entrepreneurship programs and advising business owners, I started Cadamy Business Consulting to take what I’ve learned to help leaders build and lead strong organizations. I lead peer groups for business owners, CEOs, and Executive Directors, because leading is hard and lonely, especially for those of us who have made leadership a goal since we were 12. I help business owners, CEOs, and Executive Directors create and execute strategy, because savvy leaders know leveraging my skills and expertise gets them where they want to go faster and healthier, saving them money, time, and emotional labor and making them look good. I provide economic development services, because great communities matter. My guiding principles are Leadership Matters. Great organizations make great civilizations. Well-led organizations create quality products and services that improve the quality of life for all. They also create meaningful jobs that allow people to support their families and contribute to their communities. Radical Candor. Respect means we communicate honestly, even when conversations are difficult. Partnership. I am a partner in your success, and I will always have your back. I will help you build capacity and hold you accountable respectfully, without shaming or blaming. Empathy. Understanding is the basis of any relationship.

Partner

• Jun 2019 - Jul 2022

Executive Director

• Aug 2012 - Mar 2019

Revitalized large economic/workforce development organization that had a series of four Executive Directors in six years and had been without leadership for ten months. Rebuilt the organization including procuring new service providers, rebuilding the brand, building a robust strategic plan, and rebuilding several hundred partnerships with community-based organizations, elected officials, and private industry. Collaborated with multiple partners to relocate main office in order to be customer-centric and accessible. Reorganized committee and board structure based on strategic plan. Organization had a board of 35+ and a budget of $4.5 million annually.

Senior Vice President, Economic Development

• Mar 2011 - Aug 2012

• Responsible for economic development for the 4th largest city in Oklahoma with the 3rd highest concentration of manufacturers in the state. • Responsible for retaining existing companies and helping them grow and create jobs and wealth for the community. Brokered solutions via various partners. Provided strategic planning and connections to traditional and non-traditional funding. • Recruited companies to the community, via a regional partnership. • Guided retail study that resulted in substantial retail growth over several years, including much-needed downtown revitalization. • Created first peer-to-peer advisory councils for manufacturing executives. • Managed partnerships with elected officials, community organizations, training/education entities, and other economic development professionals. • Managed social media for the organization and re-designed the website. • Selected as a Tulsa Shock 2012 Woman of Admiration.

Business & Entrepreneural Services Coordinator

• Sep 2003 - Mar 2011

• Provided intensive consulting to start-up and existing small businesses. Services included strategic planning, organizational development, public relations, marketing, business plan development, securing both traditional and non-traditional financing and general hand holding. • Reinvigorated existing program and grew the client base by 25%+ annually. • Created partnerships with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and other technology centers to leverage resources. • An early adopter of social media for business purposes. Taught Social Media 101 for Small Business to 1,000+ people in just over two years. • Frequently interviewed by the media regarding small business expertise. • Awarded the Customized Business and Industry Services New Professional of the Year award, the Journal Record 40 Achievers Under 40 award, the OKCBiz 40 Achievers Under 40 award, and the Journal Record 50 Women Making a Difference award.

Director, Edmond HQ

• 1999 - 2003

• Created programs and services to help grow knowledge-based businesses for one of the fastest growing metro cities in the state. • Recruited companies to the city, based on target industries. • Staffed two angel investor groups. • Advocated for legislation and policy creation at local, state and national levels. • Knowledge-based employment grew 25+% during my tenure. • Secured a federal grant for an innovative mentor program for the University of Central Oklahoma, helping retain knowledge workers upon graduation.

Adjunct Professor

• Sep 1999 - May 2002

Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in International Marketing and Competitive Intelligence. Average student evaluation was over 90%. Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in International Marketing and Competitive Intelligence. Average student evaluation was over 90%.

Business Intelligence Officer

• 1995 - 1999

• Created state’s first business intelligence program from the ground up. • Created prospect methodology for state’s recruiting effort. • Prepared competitive intelligence reports for the agency and for the Governor’s office.

Economic Research Specialist

• 1994 - 1995

Performed economic research for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, which is the economic development agency for the State of Oklahoma. Created reports that supported the recruitment of companies to Oklahoma as well as retention of existing companies.