Entering its fifth fiscal year this month, SEED SPOT is entering a new chapter of growth – including new leadership for its Phoenix chapter. With funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation last fall, SEED SPOT is preparing to launch in a second city in early 2017.
In preparation for expansion, SEED SPOT has built a national organization led by Co-Founder and CEO Courtney Klein. Using a chapter model, Phoenix will be positioned as the first city and SEED SPOT Phoenix will serve as the epicenter for innovation and models that other cities will replicate.
As a result, the Phoenix Board of Advisors conducted an extensive national search for a Phoenix Executive Director. After vetting over 60 candidates, 4th generation Phoenician, Sara Scoville-Weaver, was selected to lead efforts in Phoenix.
Scoville-Weaver has a robust history working in startups and supporting entrepreneurs. Most recently she served as the Microenterprise Program Coordinator at the International Rescue Committee and directly supported refugee entrepreneurs. In her role, she managed core underwriting and policy implementation for business lending, provided direct assistance to over 100 clients and over 25 Phoenix business startups annually, and spearheaded the creation of the first annual 2016 Global Bazaar to showcase local entrepreneurs in Phoenix.
“As SEED SPOT Phoenix continues to focus on diversity and inclusion, supporting entrepreneurs that may otherwise not receive support – Sara’s experience will be perfectly positioned to ensure SEED SPOT Phoenix continues accelerating the dreams of ALL social entrepreneurs in Arizona,” said Courtney Klein, co-Founder and CEO of SEED SPOT.
In her new role at SEED SPOT Phoenix, Scoville-Weaver will be responsible for developing new partnerships, strengthening corporate and community relationships, and continuing to put Phoenix on the map.
“The mission of SEED SPOT to offer all entrepreneurs the chance to ‘dream big’ and build their ideas into viable, local businesses here in Phoenix is critical to helping our city expand as a center for innovation and social change. I am thrilled to offer my passion in community building and fostering grass-roots entrepreneurship to the SEED SPOT team and to Phoenix as a whole. ” Scoville-Weaver said.
Prior to her work at the IRC, Scoville-Weaver has worked for a variety of firms, including a start-up clean tech company, an environmental non-profit advocacy group and a local water utility. Scoville-Weaver attended Greenway High School in North Phoenix, received her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Geography from the George Washington University and completed graduate studies at the Pennsylvania State University in geographic information systems.
