Colleen Slinkard
Program Manager
Colleen joined Livelihood NW in 2019 to bring the Ascend to Oregon; a corporate-funded program that provides established businesses with personalized strategies for growth with the goal of increasing revenue, accessing new markets, creating & retaining jobs, and securing financial capital. In addition, she contributed to the launch of our Open Business Advising program and provides one-on-one business support (in English and Spanish) to clients.
Colleen has over 25 years of experience working in 25 countries to equip nonprofits and for-profits with financial and technical resources for growth, including managing private sector and government-funded initiatives. She founded and ran an award-winning social impact advisory company where she trained businesses from across 31 countries in developing innovative business models and increased the presence of certified businesses in corporate supply chains in over 70 countries. She expanded and systematized the financial loan products and business services for a Peruvian microfinance organization and secured private funding to open a new branch in the Andes mountains. Lastly, she has advised economic policy think tank clients from over 80 countries, including launching a global non-profit management program in 2008 that is still ongoing.
In her free time, she enjoys biking, playing guitar, relaxing in the sauna, and attempting to learn Estonian.