Female-focused Aviatra Accelerators has named a new chief executive officer to helm the Covington, Kentucky-based nonprofit following a months-long regional search.
Aviatra Accelerators Friday named Jill Morenz, previously director of community initiatives and communications for Northern Kentucky’s Catalytic Fund, as its new CEO, effective Oct. 3. Morenz succeeds Nancy Aichholz, who announced her exit as CEO in July after a more than seven-year tenure to pursue her own entrepreneurial interests.
A team of Aviatra board members spearheaded a regional search for the new CEO. Aichholz also was involved in the process.
Morenz’s extensive nonprofit and entrepreneurial experience will lead Aviatra into its next phase of growth, the organization said.
“We were incredibly impressed with Jill’s professionalism, connections and fundraising experience – and as an entrepreneur herself, we truly believe she is the right person to lead the organization at this juncture,” Craig Carlson, middle market banking leader for Truist and chair of Aviatra’s board of directors, said in a release.
In her role at the Catalytic Fund, a group that deploys capital to support real estate development projects in Northern Kentucky, Morenz was responsible for fundraising, communications, programming and event management. She served in a dual role as director of the NKY Public Arts Network where she was responsible for shifting the entity to a paid membership organization model.
She also developed and hosted Beyond the Curb: River City Living, a community vibrancy project, now in its third season, and was instrumental in the creation of the NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk, a celebration of bourbon and local art.
Previously, she was the director of operations for Skyward, which has since transitioned into the One NKY Alliance, where she managed fundraising, communications, operations and events.
As an entrepreneur, Morenz has created two businesses: an interior design firm that she owned and operated for more than 15 years and Sharp Blue Pencil, a marketing communications and coaching services consultancy.
Working with Aviatra’s board of directors and advisory board, Morenz said her goals are to diversify funding streams, expand Aviatra’s reach regionally and beyond, and create higher levels of engagement for Aviatra alumni. The organization also will look to further support early-stage entrepreneurs through program optimization and access to mentors and funding.
Aichholz has not yet publicly announced her new venture. She is working with Morenz over the next couple weeks to transition the role, a spokesperson said.
Aviatra, formerly known as Bad Girl Ventures, offers education, coaching, mentoring, networking and access to capital, and its programs are tailored to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs at all stages of the business cycle. Since its founding in 2010, the organization has helped more than 3,000 female entrepreneurs create 15,000 jobs, has awarded millions in funding, and its entrepreneurs have generated a cumulative total of more than $1 billion in earned revenues.
Some of its more recent alumni include Cincinnati travel firm Aclipse Campervans, specialty retailer Pet Wants, St. Bernard-based popsicle maker Streetpops, and Burlington-based Three Keys Distilling.
Besides its headquarters in Covington, Aviatra maintains a presence in Cincinnati and Dayton.
