We have news!
IncubatorWorks Executive Director, Nancy Kirby, has informed the IncubatorWorks Board of Directors of her intention to retire at the conclusion of the IncubatorWorks fiscal year in June 2022.
Kirby, who has served as Executive Director since 2017, has led IncubatorWorks to become a regional leader in developing entrepreneurs. Throughout Kirby’s 9-year tenure at IncubatorWorks, she has also served as the CFO and COO, prior to becoming Executive Director.
Externally, Kirby has served on the Chemung Schuyler Steuben Workforce, REDEC, Corning PRIDE, and Southeast Steuben County Library Board of Directors in recent years.
“Working to support entrepreneurship, in the area I grew up in, and had my own business for 26 years, has been a dream come true. Building on my experience as contract CFO for so many years in my CPA firm, along with my decades of volunteer experience and mentoring has been very rewarding”, Kirby said of her years at IncubatorWorks.
With Kirby at the helm, IncubatorWorks has developed training and support for entrepreneurs in the Southern Tier region, with a focus on serving diverse and underserved communities. During the height of the pandemic, she led IncubatorWorks’ efforts to assist small businesses to access COVID funding to help them weather the worst of the shutdowns. In addition, IncubatorWorks has become a key resource in supporting local businesses in obtaining their NY Minority and Woman-Owned Business Certifications.
Charles Craig, Chair of the IncubatorWorks board thanked Kirby for her leadership and vision, collaboration, and teamwork.
“Nancy and I met and were promoted into new leadership roles around the same time. We both understood the value of IncubatorWorks, and we took the opportunity to renew and reinvigorate the incubators outreach to entrepreneurs across the region. As a result, our incubators are now serving more entrepreneurs than ever, and from a broad and diverse background, “Craig said.
The Board of Directors is commencing its search for a new executive director. Details will be announced shortly. Kirby will work with the individual selected to ensure a smooth transition. She is expected to be named the very first IncubatorWorks Entrepreneur in Residence—and will continue to provide mentoring and training to IncubatorWorks entrepreneurs after her retirement as Executive Director. Kirby is planning on staying in the area in her retirement, looking forward to more time to enjoy her farm in Caton.
Please join us in congratulating Nancy for what she has next. We are excited that she will still remain a part of the IncubatorWorks family as her influence and impact on the lives of everyone she has met and helped have been greater than words can express.