Throughout her career, Social Enterprise Greenhouse’s new Chief Executive Officer Hina Musa has been drawn to organizations that were working to drive societal change and level the playing field.
After immigrating to the U.S. with her family from Pakistan at an early age, she went on to put in more than a decade of work with international, government, and social impact organizations. Now, she's set to lead an organization that supports more than 1,800 enterprises and more than 200 businesses committed to positive and social economic change.
"Over time, I’ve seen that the challenges and barriers standing in the way for so many people — both in this country and abroad — need to be addressed with capital, economic development and opportunity," Musa told Rhode Island Inno. "I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had leadership roles with organizations that made a real difference and I’m excited to bring the perspective I’ve gained through that work to SEG."
Musa previously spent time working as the executive director of the Greater Southeast Management District, a government agency in Houston, Texas, that increased development and business opportunities in a low-income section of Houston. She was most recently the senior program director of strategic partnerships at LIFT-DC. in Washington, D.C.
She said she wanted to join SEG because of its proven track record helping small yet impactful organizations and businesses. Musa said when she saw there was an opportunity available, she jumped at it.
"I was really drawn to the clear focus that the entire SEG community — from the staff to the board to the program participants — puts on supporting entrepreneurs who are too often overlooked," she said. “Rhode Island really is a great place for entrepreneurship. We have great connections to higher education and a creative spirit that’s grounded in the state’s historic connection to manufacturing. When I think of the regions that are going to shape the next quarter century of impactful entrepreneurship, the Northeast ranks at the top of that list."
Musa said she's spending her early days at SEG learning the organization and getting to know the community. She's meeting with SEG founders and get to know members of the civic and business community as she lines up her first-year goals.
"First, continued growth for SEG," she said. "That means more seats in our programs for more entrepreneurs, more capital for aspiring businesses, more jobs in the community. It might also mean expanding our footprint in the state and region."
Second, Musa said she wants to "move the needle" and play an active role to ensure that the state’s broader community is better reflected in the community of entrepreneurs.
"There’s a lot to be excited about. City and state leaders are focused on growth and business development and there is a strong community of people willing to make the investment in themselves or take a risk on themselves to spark innovation," Musa said. "I’m excited to be here and to be a part of the state’s civic and business leadership, and I think it’s a really interesting time to be stepping into that kind of role. I understand that Rhode Island is going through a bit of a generational leadership transformation at the moment."
Musa succeeds Kelly Ramirez, SEG’s former co-founder and CEO, who left the organization last year to lead Providence College’s inaugural Donald Ryan Incubator for Entrepreneurship in the Arts & Sciences.
