Lisa S. Smith Email & Phone Number

Lisa is passionate about inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem development and has 30 years of economic development experience, innovation strategy development and program management in the U.S. and internationally.Her wide-ranging experience includes:* Inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem development* Advancing women's entrepreneurship through award-winning business acceleration programs* Community assessment of early-stage investor networks* Business Incubator/accelerator feasibility studies and assessment* A track record of successful incubator/accelerator program development and management * Business development, marketing and international business promotionAn acknowledged business incubation industry professional, Lisa has directed more than 30 business incubation feasibility studies and implementation plans for communities across the US. A frequent speaker and presenter for economic development and business incubation conferences, such the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), Lisa regularly shares her practical experience with communities and incubation program developers. Lisa has developed and managed five business incubation programs in the Greater Washington-Baltimore region since 1996.She has a proven ability to develop successful business incubation programs. Ability to recruit and motivate staff, as well as volunteer board members, and to build task-oriented teams that effectively drive an agreed agenda.She also has practical experience with press outreach and promotion, conference planning and management, as well as fundraising. Excellent leadership, management, motivational and communications skills.Lisa is proud to be a member of the world-wide community of entrepreneurial ecosystem builders through her membership in the National Business Innovation Association (InBIA). Through many years of client engagements, she has been an InBIA member, conference attendee and frequent conference speaker for nearly 30 years. She currently serves on the InBIA Board of Directors as Second Vice Chair.She also is engaged with entrepreneurship initiatives in the State of Maryland with the Maryland Business Innovation Assocation (MBIA), where she has been a member for more than 20 years and has served on the MBIA Board of Directors.