For Evan Rosell, who grew up in Wichita, making the city stronger is a passion.
In addition to being executive vice president of operations for the Greater Wichita Partnership, Rosell serves on the board of the Classical School Wichita and recently joined the board of NXTUS.
“It's been a joy for me over the last 5 to 6 years to work alongside NXTUS as it continues to grow its programs and its leadership,” he said.
NXTUS serves as a jump-off point for startups. The nonprofit tries to build connections by bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, corporate partners and community members.
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"Rosell has been a long-time supporter and collaborator alongside NXTUS,” said Amber Dunn, program manager for the nonprofit. “He brings not only his executive leadership experience but also a profound dedication to catalyzing regional economic development and fostering job creation in the region.”
Along with practicing law in Kansas City, Rosell served as chief of staff in the attorney general’s office in Missouri. For Rosell, understanding the community is key to helping it grow, and building up startups builds up both the city and the people in it.
“NXTUS continues to grow its programs and its leadership and … this innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem within our community,” Rosell said. “From a Partnership perspective, when we think about economic development, particularly jobs, jobs are created when businesses move here from out of town.”
In addition, Rosell said, it is great to see businesses that are already in town grow.
Rosell said he has enjoyed working alongside NXTUS over the last several years and he is looking forward to serving on the organization’s board. He loves being on the “starting edge” of a project.
“Within this entrepreneurial kind of ecosystem conversation is the impact that this has on talent and developing a kind of growth-minded culture,” Rosell said. “It's an economic thing. But I think almost equally, it's a talent cultivation tool for our community."
In 2023, NXTUS programs mobilized slightly less than $1.5 million in capital to help early-stage ventures. In addition, it engaged more than 360 entrepreneurs with business and customer prospects through its programs, connecting more than 1,000 entrepreneurs to community assets.
In the past 5 years, Accelerate Venture Partners, the angel investment group tied to NXTUS, has mobilized more than $7 million in private capital.
By broadening incubator hubs, Rosell said, talent and jobs go hand-in-hand to create more entrepreneurial kinds of ecosystems within the community.
“All of these things matter to a robust, growth-minded economy,” he said. “This actually ties back to our roots as a community. It's really fun to see some of these things taking off.”
Rosell will serve alongside Erik Petersen, Trish Brasted, Luis Rodriguez, Josh Oeding, Kaye Monk-Morgan, Gary Oborny, Abel Frederic, John Messman and Tonya Witherspoon.
