The Future of Entrepreneurship in Central Louisiana 

CLEDA's Quarterly Innovation Luncheon will feature Kate Pope Hodel, Co-Author of Beyond Collisions: How to Build Entrepreneurial Infrastructure. Kate will share what she has learned about building entrepreneurial support networks, including four actions that communities have used to marshal resources and help entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed.

"Kate Pope Hodel has had a front row seat for the entrepreneurial revolution, joining the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 1991 when it was just beginning its involvement in entrepreneurship. She directed the Kauffman Foundation’s efforts to develop a national reputation around entrepreneurship, working with organizations such as National Public Radio, the national Entrepreneur of the Year awards and the international board for Young Entrepreneurs Organization. 

Pursuing her passion for community entrepreneurship, Kate was the original program officer for the KCSourceLink founding grant. She went on to work for KCSourceLink and SourceLink as a consultant and eventually as staff, helping build networks across the state of Missouri and in select communities nationwide. Currently Kate works on special projects for KCSourceLink, include the We Create Capital effort, KCInvestED, Whiteboard2Boardroom and research into capital access and job creation by early-stage firms. "