For many of us, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network—and its earlier incarnation as the Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum—was an organization that supported us through our formative stages as founders. Helping us build businesses in the state. Connecting us with other peers. Highlighting interesting companies. And bestowing awards upon the under recognized.
And for the last 17 years, one name has been synonymous with the those efforts: Linda Weston. Linda has led the organization, found the funding it needed, and rallied the support of those in the community to guide it. It’s been a labor of love. Over the long haul.
But now it’s time for Linda to move on to other things. And so the OEN began its search for new leadership. And that search has led OEN to Maggie Finnerty.
Maggie Finnerty will be joining the OEN staff in September, and officially taking on the role of President & Executive Director in January 2017. Our current President & Executive Director, Linda Weston, will be retiring in December, marking the end of an extraordinary 17 years of leadership.
Maggie brings over 12 years of corporate law, seven years of economic development, and ten years of business development and marketing experience to the job, with a proven track record of building and leading programs and teams in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.
“I am thrilled to be joining OEN,” said Maggie. “Filling Linda Weston’s shoes will not be easy—she and OEN have had a significant impact on Oregon’s economy. I’ve worked with entrepreneurs in various capacities over the last 15 years and I am very much looking forward to focusing on supporting the growth of entrepreneurship throughout the state. I hope to find ways to bring even more value to our members and sponsors and to create new programs in response to demand from our constituents.”
For more on the new leadership, read the OEN press release or visit the OEN blog.
