Jill Morenz has been named to continue growth for female entrepreneurs and start-ups as Chief Executive Officer at Aviatra Accelerators, a nonprofit accelerator devoted to empowering women-owned startups and small businesses.
Long-time Aviatra Accelerators CEO Nancy Aichholz announced her exit as CEO earlier this year to pursue her own entrepreneurial interests. Craig Carlson, Middle Market Banking Leader for Truist and chair of Aviatra Accelerators Board of Directors praised Aichholz for her endeavors with Aviatra.
“Aviatra would not be in the strong position it is today without the passion and dedication of Nancy. Her critical leadership and innovative thinking contributed to Aviatra’s success at the highest levels and we are confident that Jill will continue that trajectory,” Carlson said.
The exit of Aichholz led Aviatra board members on a regional search for a new CEO. The board was immediately impressed with Jill Morenz’s nonprofit and entrepreneurial experience.
“We were incredibly impressed with Jill’s professionalism, connections, and fundraising experience – and as an entrepreneur herself, we truly believe she is the right person to lead the organization at this juncture,” Carlson said.
Jill Morenz’s fundraising, communications, and operations experience stems from Director roles with the Catalytic Fund, NKY Public Arts Network, and Skyward (now known as OneNKY Alliance). An entrepreneur herself, Morenz created two long-running businesses; an interior design firm and Sharp Blue Pencil, a marketing communications and coaching consultant agency.
When reflecting on the history of Aviatra, Aichholz takes pride in the agility of its programs, and how they have remained malleable to meet the needs of its women entrepreneurs.
“One of the things that he has always been able to do is to evolve to meet the needs of the female founder because her needs evolve,” she said. “As the industry evolves, as the economy changes, and as we go in and out of recessions, we have to be nimble. We will serve women in every industry at every stage of the business cycle, no matter what there will always be small businesses and women are more likely to start these small businesses than their male counterparts. I would like to encourage women to have that cohort, whether we provide it or not. So I think it’s our evolution will mirror what the needs of our client are.”
Morenz stresses the importance of connections and resources as one builds a successful business, and how Aviatra provides these through their programming.
“I believe that in order to have a successful business you need to have three kinds of connections, and you can get them all from Aviatra Accelerators,” Morenz said. “You have to have connections to experts.”
Carlson echoed the shared excitement for the future Aviatra Accelerators stemming from the transition.
“I am just really excited to continue to grow what Nancy and the team have grown thus far. It’s very robust, and it has a wonderful reputation. We look forward to the future with Jill, and getting a fresh set of eyes on everything and helping these women start their businesses,” he said.
In addition to the Fall Explore Bootcamp this month, Aichholz hinted at an event in the works for the beginning of December this year.
“We will have the big holiday party, which we do usually every year, but this year will be a little bit different for us, for me especially,” Aichholz said.
