Women and Girls Advocate Elaine Wyatt to Lead WomenVenture
WomenVenture, a Twin Cities nonprofit dedicated to helping women achieve economic success for more than 30 years, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elaine Wyatt as its executive director. Elaine will assume her role on May 28, providing leadership and management to move the organization forward, including developing a mission-driven strategic plan that supports WomenVenture’s refined strategic vision. The vision, announced in 2012, pinpoints the agency’s work in supporting women-owned businesses by providing microloans, working capital, education and ongoing consultation through all stages of business.
“We are thrilled to have a leader of Elaine’s caliber on board,” said Christine Hobrough, WomenVenture board chair. “Her expertise with financial management and fundraising, strategic partnership building and staff development will allow us to successfully implement our vision and ensure the organization’s relevance and sustainability for many years to come.”
Elaine is personally dedicated to the advancement of women and girls. Most recently, her passion was fulfilled through her work as chief financial officer at the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys which she led through the merger of five councils while building strong finance, operations and IT systems. She later moved into the chief advancement officer role where she substantially increased earned and contributed income, and elevated the Girl Scouts’ visibility through high-impact events, partnerships and electronic media strategies. Elaine has extensive experience in the public and private sectors, primarily in financial services and nonprofit finance and administration.
“The prospect of realizing the board’s vision of WomenVenture becoming a national leader in creating and growing women-owned businesses is what drew me to this role,” said Wyatt. “I can’t wait to meet the remarkable women entrepreneurs that are at the heart of WomenVenture’s mission, and the supporters who have helped make their dreams a reality.”
