ORGANIZATION

WOMENVENTURE

POSITION
Chief Executive Officer

BRIEF
Ballinger Leafblad is pleased to conduct the
search for CEO at WomenVenture, a
nonprofit organization in Minneapolis,
Minnesota.

www.ballingerleafblad.com
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
WomenVenture is a vibrant Twin Cities-based non-profit
organization focused on providing women of all ages, cultures, races,
and income levels with the tools and resources to achieve economic
success through small business ownership.

Over its 42-year history, the organization has served over 105,000
clients with in-depth training, expert advice, access to capital (loans),
and a network of support.

WomenVenture is an economic development agency designated as an

SBA Women’s Business Center, one of the largest in the country. Also
a CDFI, WomenVenture has been honored as a top CDFI (Community
Development Financial Institution) in six of the past eight years.

The staff at WomenVenture describe the organizational culture as

mission-driven, focused on goals and clients, helpful,
friendly, progressive, collaborative and fast-paced with lots of new
ideas. Staff are proud of how they have seamlessly pivoted to
continue serving clients during the pandemic.

1,162 882 2019

Clients served Jobs created or AT A GLANCE
retained

183 $5M 49%

Businesses created or Loans Clients of color
expanded distributed or
facilitated

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 VALUES VISION MISSION

Integrity To empower entrepreneurial To help women attain economic

Diversity women with tools, capital, and self-sufficiency through the
Persistence support to lead businesses creation and growth of profitable
Change Agent that create living wage jobs. and sustainable businesses.

ORGANIZATIONALHISTORY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

WomenVenture was formed in a 1989 merger of two prominent
The services and programs provided by WomenVenture are
women-serving organizations, CHART and WEDCO.
oriented around four pillars of success:
In 1977, local leaders established CHART, a nonprofit
organization supporting women entering or re-entering the BUSINESS TRAINING
workforce and to assist women with the skills and support Entrepreneurship Information Session reviews the variety
needed to take responsibility for their own workplace of services available from WomenVenture for those planning
satisfaction and career development. to start or expand a business.
Another nonprofit, WEDCO (Women’s Economic Development GettingReady class is designed to help emerging
Corp.) was established in 1982 . The goals of WEDCO were to entrepreneurs determine whether small business ownership
increase the economic self-sufficiency of women through self- is right for them.
employment, improve women's access to capital, and to act as
a catalyst in connecting women to emerging business
opportunities.
In 1989, CHART and WEDCO merged and became
WomenVenture. The joining of these two distinguished
organizations created a new entity offering a full spectrum of
services related to career and business development for an
increasingly diverse population of clients that included teens,
technology-driven businesses, women in non-traditional
construction trades, and more.
Through the years, WomenVenture has continued to evolve to
assist women-owned businesses guided by values of integrity,
embracing diversity, change agency and persistence. Today,
WomenVenture is made up of 25 staff and over 200 volunteers
who serve clients throughout Minnesota.
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SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, cont’d.
Small Business Essentials is a 15-week series that covers all of the
critical components of creating and fine-tuning a business plan.
Accelerating Success is a 10-session class for women who have
been in business for at least two years and have annual revenue
over $100k, but have hit a plateau and are looking for a way to take
their business to the next level. This course fills the space between
the classes for start-ups and classes for much larger businesses.
Course highlights include development of deeper financial
business acumen, creation of a measurable and achievable growth
plan, using strategic marketing to meet their growth goals, and
participation in a BWC® Peer Circle upon course completion.
ScaleUp! is an education and coaching program offered by
WomenVenture with the support of the Minnesota Department
of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). It is
designed to accelerate progress for experienced women business
owners who want to achieve exponential growth and create new
jobs with pay well above minimum wage.
WomenVenture also provides Lunch & Learn sessions throughout
the year on pertinent topics for women business owners.
CHILD CARE
Child Care was launched in 2017 as WomenVenture's first
specific programming, created in an effort to combat the
looming child care crisis in Minnesota.
In 2019, a new one-session program called Exploring Child Care
was launched as an entry point for women entrepreneurs
interested in starting a child care business. This two-and-a-half
hour course provides insight into the business of providing
quality child care, including an overview of state licensing
requirements and a summary of the financial realities of
starting a child care business.
If clients want to continue, the next course is the Family Child
Care Business Essentials training course. This 10-session course
leverages a nationally known family child care business
curriculum.
WomenVenture has also launched a plan for entrepreneurs who
want to start child care centers. Participants will move through
the established Small Business Essentials curriculum, while
receiving additional guidance and resources specific to the child
care industry. Additional financial training is also provided.
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ACCESS TO LOAN CAPITAL
WomenVenture offers loans from $1,000 to $50,000 to
qualified new and existing business owners. WomenVenture
is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Community
Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and Minnesota
Department of Employment & Economic Development
(DEED) lender.
EXPERT ADVICE
Loan clients and clients taking training courses have a unique
opportunity to receive business advice on a variety of topics
from experts who volunteer their time to advise on myriad of
subjects.

Businesses in the 16-county Twin Cities metro area are able to

take advantage of this program which includes access to
business advisors for the duration of the loan.

WeLend initiative, is a transformative microlending program

to reach low-income entrepreneurs.

MnDOT Working Capital Loan Fund has appointed

WomenVenture to administer their funding for certified
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). This includes help
with the loan application as well as financial training, support
and assistance.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
A strong intentional community of support is integral to the
success of new and expanding business owners. WomenVenture
provides facilitated peer circles, business mentors, networking
opportunities and help from expert advisors to all the women in
the classes.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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Overview
The CEO at WomenVenture provides strategic leadership to the organization, interacting frequently with Board, staff
members and external stakeholders including:
• Donors and Philanthropic Leaders
• Community Collaborators and Non-profit Peers
• Government and Legislative Officials
• Banking Partners
• Board Committee Members
The CEO leads a dedicated team of 25 staff and approximately 200 volunteers. The role is responsible for strategic vision and
managerial oversight for philanthropy, finance, lending, programs, communications, external and community relations. The
annual budget for the organization is $2.5 million. The loan portfolio is $2.6 million with average loan amount of $20,000. The
position is open due to the retirement of CEO Elaine Wyatt who has been with WomenVenture since 2013.

Essential Responsibilities
Leadership
• Engage and mobilize the organization in pursuit of the mission, vision, and strategic objectives of the organization
and its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and client service.
• Mobilize the organization toward growth in programs, markets and organizational performance.
• Represent the organization in the community; maintain a leadership presence for WomenVenture in the small
business community.
• Serve as a role model for all stakeholders in adhering to the highest ethical standards.
• Recruit, retain and develop a talented and diverse staff. Provide coaching and support to staff members.
• Identify, measure, and communicate the metrics that demonstrate progress in achieving the mission and vision.
• Build and maintain a positive organizational culture and high employee engagement.

Financial Results
• Develop appropriate annual and long-term financial objectives.
• Lead WomenVenture in consistently achieving these objectives, including a balanced operating budget.

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Essential Responsibilities, cont.
Resource Development & Fundraising

• Manage fundraising strategies for the organization; personally manage major donor relationships.
• Oversee the Loan Portfolio program; assure efficiency and effectiveness in lending processes.
• Increase loan production to serve the needs of the community.
• Ensure robust financial management of the loan portfolio, maintaining adequate loan loss reserves and industry
standard metrics.

Communication

• Ensure the organization has a strong presence in the small business community, effectively promoting the organization's
brand and connecting entrepreneurial women to programs and services.

Community and External Relations

• Actively engage with key stakeholder groups; lead effective outreach and engagement of diverse communities; serve as the
external spokesperson for the organization and build collaborative alliances with a variety of funders, partners and
advisors to fulfill the organization’s mission and strategic plan.

Strategy

• Develop short and long-term plans that support the mission and vision of the organization.
• Identify, measure, and communicate strategic plan metrics that demonstrate progress in achieving goals.

Board Governance

• Collaborate and communicate fully with board members in all material matters; leverage the skills, relationships,
and resources of individual Board members to achieve the goals of WomenVenture.
• Ensure strong governance policies and practices including the selection and recruitment of new board and board
committee members.

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Management Responsibilities

The CEO reports to the WomenVenture Board of Directors, comprised of a passionate, diverse and engaged group of 25
business, civic and community leaders. The Board and CEO set the strategy for the organization.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer is a leadership team including Chief Financial Officer, Women's Business Center
Director, Communications Director, Development Director, and Director of Program Innovation.

Qualifications
• Successful experience leading a complex organization and a track record of growth and innovation.
• Finance and budgeting experience that includes understanding of profit and loss statements, cash flow analysis, and small
business finances. Experience might include managing a loan portfolio or in community banking.
• Broad knowledge and background with other business functions and systems including information technology, human
resources, process improvement and marketing.
• Experience and success implementing fund raising and/or generating revenue through a variety of development tactics.
• Experience working on a nonprofit board and/or significant experience in the nonprofit sector including understanding of
Board governance structure, funding strategies for nonprofits and donor relations.

Leadership Characteristics
• Management experience leading, developing, delegating and supporting a committed, professional staff.
• Deep commitment and focus on equity and inclusion; able to understand, relate and connect with clients from underserved
communities. Committed to furthering a more inclusive workplace at WomenVenture.
• A leadership style that is bold, innovative, future-focused, open, flexible and fun.
• An appreciation and understanding of entrepreneurs and their unique challenges.
• Strong speaking and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate people towards a common vision.
• Proven experience in relationship development and partnerships with public and private entities.

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this position is $115,000 - $130,000 and includes participation in the organization's comprehensive
benefits program. 8
THE TWIN CITIES, THE BOLD NORTH,
THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES

MEET MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL

When the Twin Cities hosted the Super Bowl in 2018, it cast an international
light on what the organizing committee dubbed “The Bold North.” It also gave
the world an up-close and personal view of what those of us who live here
already knew. Minnesota Nice is for real.

The Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are a unique blend of small
town and major cosmopolitan hub. Both urban cores boast a thriving
business, arts and civic atmosphere. Saint Paul, part of Ramsey County, is the
state capitol, and is home to state government and has a more historical vibe.
Minneapolis is part of Hennepin County, named for Father Louis Hennepin,
an early explorer of the interior of North America. Hennepin County is the
state's most populous and consists of 45 cities and boundless opportunities.

900+ 300 60+

Lakes in the Twin Parks and miles of Museums in the
Cities metro area. biking. metro area.

Outside of the central downtowns, however, both cities have many distinct
neighborhoods, and residents identify more with their individual
communities than with the larger city as a whole. Housing in our friendly
neighborhoods is varied and offers something for all.

The area lives up to its Bold North tagline in every way. Residents enjoy four
very distinct seasons, none of which will let you down. According to
WalletHub, Minneapolis ranks 12th in America for cities with the most green
space. Both cities share a common root of being river towns, and the great
outdoors is a major attraction for residents and visitors alike. In addition to
the mighty Mississippi River, there are more than 900 lakes in the metro area
and surrounding suburbs, upwards of 300 parks, and miles of biking and
walking trails. Nearly every weekend in the summer there are several
outdoor events for participants and spectators—triathlons, biking races,
running races, boat races, water skiing competitions, cultural celebrations, 7
golf tournaments, and more.
ENTERTAINMENT In the Land of 10,000 Lakes and with the nation's #1 park
system, there is always fun to be had in the region. The summer highlight for
many Minnesotans is the Minnesota State Fair. One of the largest of its kind
in the country, ours is a world-class showcase of Minnesota’s best in
agriculture, industry, arts and entertainment. Held on a 320-acre parcel
located between Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it is a self-supported
organization and has been held on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds every
year since 1885.

As summer turns to fall, the region puts on a breathtaking autumn show that
draws visitors from miles around. And the active lifestyle of Minnesotans
doesn’t go dormant during the winter either. Being hardy in every way, we
take advantage of the miles of cross-country skiing trails, downhill ski areas,
ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding, and ice fishing.
In recent years Minneapolis and St. Paul have become two of the most diverse
cities in America. Almost six percent of the population identifies as LGBTQ,
with many Twin Cities’ organizations in arts, politics, culture, advocacy and
religious sectors serving the community.
Minnesota’s Somali community is one of the largest in the United States.
Saint Paul is the heart of Minnesota’s Hmong community as well, and is home
to the largest urban concentration of Hmong residents in the country. The
West Broadway neighborhood in Minneapolis and the Rondo neighborhood in
Saint Paul are home to African American businesses, arts and cultural
institutions and restaurants.
It is by design that we’ve embraced such ethnic uniqueness. Our multi-
cultural communities present us with a strong and diverse workforce with an
added bonus of getting to know the world, and different cultures on a more
intimate scale right here at home.
One of the best places to get a taste of our many blended cultures is on Lake
Street in Minneapolis - Midtown Global Market is a welcoming indoor market
and meeting place featuring an abundance of ethnic dishes, gifts and
groceries, from Mexican and Middle Eastern to Vietnamese, Indian, Swedish
and Italian.
Many Hmong and Vietnamese restaurants and shops are located in the
Frogtown neighborhood as well, on and around University and Lexington
Avenues in St. Paul. Hmongtown Marketplace on Como Avenue and Hmong
Village on Johnson Parkway on Saint Paul's East Side
feature a wide variety of traditional foods, clothing,
fabrics and crafts, as well as farmers markets.
ARTS & CULTURE There are countless arts and culture
offerings in the Twin Cities. The Grammy Award-
winning Minnesota Orchestra has a reputation as one
of the top orchestras in the world. The Saint Paul
Chamber Orchestra is also regarded as one of the
finest chamber orchestras in the world.
Since the early 1960s, the Guthrie Theater has staged
outstanding shows from the classical to modern.
Popular national shows and performers also tour
through the Twin Cities year-round at stages in both
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and at the University of
Minnesota.
If you are a theater-goer in the Twin Cities, you’ll never
have a dull moment. According to the Western States
Arts Federation, Minneapolis ranks as the fifth- most
“creatively vital” city in the country, right after D.C.,
LA, NYC and Boston. The Penumbra Theatre in Saint
Paul is the country’s oldest African American theater. 10
We boast more than 40 venues with a variety that even the most seasoned
thespian would notice.
There are the magnificent musicals that play on the State, Orpheum, and
Pantages stages and lots of local talent making a statement on stages such as
the Southern Theater, New Century, and Illusion. Hamilton, Les Miserables
and West Side Story are a few examples of productions that have played here.
Theater is also a large component of life in Saint Paul. The gorgeous 1000-seat
Fitzgerald Theatre acts as Minnesota Public Radio’s largest broadcast studio.
Staged productions commission authors, artists and radio hosts to create
programming for the public radio community. The Fitzgerald Theater is Saint
Paul’s oldest theater and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010.
FOR SPORTS FANS For those who prefer activity of the
spectator variety, the Twin Cities is home to the
Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild
and the Minnesota Timberwolves. We are also the home
of the four-time WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx and
the Minnesota United soccer team. We host in some
of the best sporting facilities in the county, including
Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, and US Bank
Stadium, a brand new, enclosed stadium where the
Minnesota Vikings host their NFL games. Additionally,
the stadium hosts early season college baseball games of
the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has been recognized as one of
America’s leading not-for-profit performing arts centers, and is home to a wide
variety of performances throughout the year providing the finest in musical
theater, music, dance, and vocal artists in its Music Theater and Concert Hall.
In addition, each year the Ordway presents its Flint Hills Family Festival,
serving more than 50,000 children and adults through its Ordway Education
programs. Dance companies such as James Sewell Ballet, Minnesota Dance
Theatre, Ragamala, Zenon Dance Company and TU Dance perform at an array
of venues including the renovated Cowles Center.

For the museum-goer, there are more than 60 museums in the metro
area. The Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Children’s
Museum are interactive learning facilities and fun experiences for the entire
family. The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery and
the Minnesota History Center are museums for all ages with permanent and
changing exhibits, lectures and events.
Popular music abounds, from the Grammy-winning
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a collection of more than 100,000 pieces. Sounds of Blackness to Atmosphere. Outdoor concerts
The Walker Art Center has been called “possibly the best contemporary art and festivals such as the Basilica Block Party and Rock
museum in the U.S.” by Newsweek, and has over 11,000 pieces. The University the Garden are a common and popular activity. After all,
of Minnesota’s Weisman Art Museum is also a contemporary art destination. artists from Bob Dylan to Prince have called the Twin
The Somali Museum of Minnesota on East Lake Street features hundreds of Cities home.
traditional Somali artworks and artifacts as well as educational programs.

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FOR FOODIES The Twin Cities area offers award-winning restaurants
(several chefs have been regional James Beard Award winners). In addition to
the popular Mall of America, there are plenty of unique shopping districts in
both cities and in the suburbs. Beyond sports, the great outdoors,
entertainment, and culture, perhaps the biggest attraction for the Twin Cities
is the lifestyle.

Forbes hailed Saint Paul and Minneapolis as one of the nation’s healthiest
metros and USA Today named Saint Paul as North America’s “Most Romantic
City.” Minneapolis/Saint Paul is also proud to have a world-class
international airport. In fact, the Airports Council International named MSP
the 2017 Best Airport in North America in its size category, with more than 25
million passengers a year.

Networking groups in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and education

support their professions. Active Chambers of Commerce further business
interests and First Fridays Twin Cities celebrates African American
excellence.

The Twin Cities is a vibrant, richly diverse Midwestern community where

Minnesota Nice is alive and well. We are the perfect blend of small town/big
city and our residents pride themselves on their warm and welcoming ways.
There is a reason Business Insider ranked Minneapolis/Saint Paul number
nine on its Top 50 Places to Live in America. We really are all that and more!

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 WE INVITE YOU TO GET IN TOUCH.

Marcia Ballinger, PhD Damon Shoholm, MA

Co-Founder/Principal Partner
651-341-4840 612-723-0824
marcia@ballingerleafblad.com damon@ballingerleafblad.com

CIVIC SEARCH. REIMAGINED .

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www.ballingerleafblad.com