The Conductor, a public-private partnership between the University of Central Arkansas and Startup Junkie Consulting, announced Monday the promotion of Kim Lane to CEO.
Since its launch in November 2016, Lane has served as the Conductor's COO.
The Conductor provides mentoring, consulting, training, capital readiness and technical assistance to startups, small businesses and emerging investors in Arkansas. It manages the UCA Makerspace at Donaghey Hall on the UCA Campus as well.
The Conductor has also begun focusing on talent development at elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools by informing teachers, parents and students that entrepreneurship is a viable career path and that established companies seek to hire innovative, entrepreneurial talent.
Before her role at the Conductor, Lane served as the director of operations for the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock.
She also served the Global Entrepreneurship Congress as a U.S. Delegate to their World Congress in South Africa in 2017 and will be serving as a delegate to Istanbul in 2018.
Lane is director of Startup Grind Arkansas and a regional representative for the Kauffman Foundation's "One Million Cups" program, overseeing chapters in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Puerto Rico.
She serves on the boards of the Junior Achievement of Arkansas, the Arkansas Fellowship, the Young Professionals of Conway and Emerging Conway.
