Female-focused Aviatra Accelerators is looking for a new leader after its CEO announced plans to depart the organization after a more than seven-year tenure.
Nancy Aichholz, president and CEO of Aviatra Accelerators, will transition away from day-to-day operations of the nonprofit accelerator later this summer. Aichholz will be actively involved in the search for her successor, a release said. The organization hopes to install a new president and CEO by October.
Aichholz joined Aviatra, formerly Bad Girl Ventures, in 2015. During her tenure, the organization has served more than 3,000 local women through its educational programming. Aviatra entrepreneurs have created 15,000 jobs with a cumulative total of more than $1 billion in earned revenue.
The release said Aichholz plans to launch her own new business endeavor with a formal announcement to follow later this year.
“Nancy possesses a rare combination of grace, vision, leadership, passion and dedication,” Trey Grayson, Aviatra board member and outgoing board chair, said in the release. “She has fostered relationships in the startup, government and academic arenas, along with key funders, that have been critical to our expansion and growth not only in Greater Cincinnati, but throughout the region.”
Prior to Aviatra, Aichholz created a gourmet cake company called NanCakes, after serving in marketing, branding and sales roles at Chiquita.
At the beginning of her tenure, Aichholz established Aviatra’s headquarters in Covington, added staff and was instrumental in the creation of the organization’s first strategic plan.
In 2017, she led Aviatra’s rebranding effort from Bad Girl Ventures. Aviatra’s name is a combination of the Latin words for bird (avis) and open to the sky (atria), meant to embody the spirit of women aviators.
The nonprofit expanded last year with new office space at the Dayton Arcade.
Aviatra Accelerators just launched its most recent cohort last week. The organization, founded in 2010, offers programming ranging from “Explore,” an early-stage ideation and business validation program; “Launch,” a traditional accelerator for young businesses that need to secure funding; and “Grow,” for ongoing sustainability. Aviatra also has a digital, online platform of its curriculum called Aviatra365.
Its alumni include Cincinnati travel firm Aclipse Campervans, specialty retailer Pet Wants, St. Bernard-based popsicle maker Streetpops, Burlington-based Three Keys Distilling and more.
