Transition Announcement
Good Afternoon–
I have spent an amazing 8 ½ years at RAIN Catalysts and have enjoyed serving underrepresented entrepreneurs all over the globe. I am emailing to let you know I will soon be transitioning from my role as CEO to focus more on family and creative projects. I am excited to remain on the RAIN Catalysts team as a Special Projects Contractor supporting the following programs:
U.S. State Department - Embassy of Islamabad, Pakistan Project (advancing women entrepreneurship and independence)
U.S. EDA Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship Project (a nationwide partnership with the International Economic Development Council)
U.S. EDA Capital Challenge Project (a partnership with Portland Seed Fund to increase access to capital for scalable tech companies in the Pacific Northwest, in particular those with women & BIPOC founders)
I will be taking a planned sabbatical from Nov 15 – Dec 15 and RAIN closes operations for the holiday season from Dec 15 – Jan 1. Anyone needing assistance during my absence can reach out to our incredible team at the email addresses included at the bottom of this message.
I will remain the CEO through March 2024 and I will work closely with RAIN Catalysts’ Board of Directors and new Executive Director to ensure a smooth transition that ensures the organization will continue to thrive, evolve, and find new ways to help communities build inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. The spirit of innovation and resilience that is inherent in the RAIN Catalysts team will continue to fuel new and exciting initiatives in the future.
When I was recruited to RAIN Catalysts in 2015 by Jim Coonan (the founding Executive Director) it was to serve as the organization’s first Venture Catalyst and assist entrepreneurs in Lane, Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties (in Oregon). The evolution of my roles with RAIN Catalysts and the expansion to become global, has been a joyous adventure–one I will always treasure.
Over the past several years, with the support of the Board of Directors, the contributions of an incredible team of entrepreneurs who have served our mission and vision, and our many funders (city, county, state, federal, and private), we have proudly helped reduce barriers to entrepreneurship for thousands of individuals who take the risk to start and grow businesses in their own communities.
During my tenure with RAIN Catalysts, we have been invited to serve 52 small and rural communities in Oregon and Washington and expanded nationally and internationally. We tripled our budget and quadrupled our staff size from pre-pandemic to today. We have secured partnerships with many organizations seeking to serve entrepreneurs and innovators in unique ways. It has been my privilege to lead RAIN Catalysts and I am most grateful to the board, the incredible RAIN Catalysts team, and the amazing funders, partners, and colleagues who have made this such a fulfilling experience.
I remain passionate about the issues I have championed during my time at RAIN Catalysts and throughout my career. Providing opportunities for underrepresented individuals and communities will always be my north star.
I look forward to staying in touch with you during and after this transition. I feel confident knowing we have a strong team and board carrying on the vision of RAIN Catalysts – communities everywhere support, value, and celebrate all entrepreneurs; regional leaders recognize entrepreneurs are a primary creator of net new jobs; communities of any size have thriving economies, and a culture of possibilities is embraced.
With heartfelt gratitude and warm regards,
Caroline Cummings
Team Emails:
Board President: [email protected]
Funding/Reporting/Partnerships: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]
Pakistan Project: [email protected]
IEDC Economic Recovery Corps Program and RAINcap: (text me: 541-968-2982)
Entrepreneurial Support in:
Florence (OR): [email protected]
Veneta (OR): [email protected]
Creswell or Cottage Grove (OR): [email protected]
Oakridge, Lowell, or McKenzie River Valley (OR): [email protected]
Linn & Benton Counties (OR): [email protected]
Grant County (OR): [email protected]
Skagit County (WA): [email protected]
