Cathy Connett Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis St. Paul, Mn, Us

Sofia Fund manages two investment funds. Currently, a $5.5M angel fund is investing in early stage, women-led, high-growth, technology-based companies. The Fund leverages their vast network of resources and connections and serves as mentors and guides for their portfolio companies in order to enhance financial returns to the entrepreneur and to its investors. The Fund's particular focus is on women-led businesses in information technology, business products and services, clean technology, health and wellness and other technologies. The Fund's first fund is fully invested with exits that have returned all original capital and 5 companies are still operating.

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Us

CorConnections specializes in advancing actions leading to successful growth outcomes for businesses. Through the combination of critical situational assessments, the development of creative strategies that optimize resources, and enhancements resulting from the building of a cohesive team, CorConnections successfully guides businesses through new business initiatives, equity infusions, ownership transitions, and the building of alliances and partnerships, which often need intervention to initiate and accelerate. Considerable experience negotiating successful partnerships and business relationships.

25+ years of board service on both private company and non-profit Boards of Directors. Bring range of experience and best practices of governance to boards. Experienced with private equity funded and family businesses. Chaired boards as well as governance and HR committees, served on audit and compensation committees.Board Service Includes:For Profit: Vixar, Hot Shot Products, Smarte Carte, Woodland ContainerNon-Profit: MDI, HBS Alumni Association, ISE, MWER, J J Hill Library, MN Project Innovation

Transitional general manager role at client company to stabilize / improve operating performance and position 105 year old family business for sale. Involved with all aspects of the wholesale business with ~60 employees. Brought in financing to sustain operations while moving to sale.

St. Paul, Minnesota, Us

Responsible for all aspects of the Center including the Small Business Development Center, Institute for Franchise Management, Center for Family Enterprise, academic support activities, and professional development programs.

Managed /developed all aspects of a $10 million multi-site installation and service business for building products. Achieved 11% p.a. organic growth. Concurrently, developed national expansion strategy and negotiated/ closed one acquisition and executed letters of intent with 3 companies.

St Paul, Mn, Us

US & International Sales and Marketing Manager, Surface Mount Systems Project. Managed all sales and marketing aspects of a $20 million global business supplying product to electronic OEM’s.Marketing Manager, New Products Department. Developed and led 8 person team providing complete sales and marketing services, including market identification and analysis, strategic planning, product positioning, distribution channel development, product packaging, pricing, marketing communications, sales, and customer service to 5+ start-up, technology-based businesses in Sector Lab. Led and facilitated strategic planning activities for all businesses in the department. Keynote speaker at 1991 Sumitomo/3M Technology Conference.Business Development Manager, New Products Department. Built new 3M business by negotiating the US distribution rights for a Japanese product and developing it through the addition of 2nd generation technology developed by 3M. Identified opportunity and negotiated an agreement with an UK company to develop a field operating unit to optimize dispersion system of a new 3M material. Led the development of a global business in adhesive electronic interconnects.

Mba, General Management

Be, Civil Engineering