With an education in international economics and banking, followed by years of strong sales management roles, Jill Hathaway made the leap to entrepreneurship. Owning multiple retail shoe stores in the Kansas City area for more than 15 years, Jill served on the National Shoe Retailers Association, focusing on creating strong trade relationships with European and South American manufacturers. Her driven approach to business has led her to work with the Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC for the past 7 years as a Senior Business Development Consultant. Her certifications include small business strategic advising, business and financial planning, certified facilitation, transformational life coaching, as well as succession planning. She has served on several non-profit boards and committees, including American Heart Association, NAWBO, Economic Development Corporation Loan Board and currently as a GrowthWheel Product Advisor. Jill has received great recognition, being awarded the 2019 Kansas City Influencer with the American Association of Women, 2019 Associated Industries of Missouri Educational Leadership, ASBDC 2022 Missouri State Star, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2023 Leadership Missouri and multiple Business Development Professional awards from the SBDC statewide network. As a connector, Jill is always looking for opportunities to meet new faces and bring her vast network together.