Two women have been named to leadership positions at a local organization.
The Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance announced Kristen Patzer has been promoted to the position of Director, while Jackie Yates has been named Manager.
Patzer joined the Cornerstone Alliance team in June 2020 as the Accounting Executive Associate before transitioning to manager of the WBC. She is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, and her career as a nonprofit administrator has spanned over two decades including the role of Executive Director of the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph.
“Kristen’s skills and dedication to entrepreneurs make her the best person to lead the WBC,” said Rob Cleveland, Cornerstone Alliance President and CEO. “Kristen has an unwavering commitment to serving entrepreneurs in Southwest Michigan. I am confident that the Women’s Business Center will continue to expand its reach and its services under Kristen’s leadership.”
As director, Patzer will work closely with staff and the WBC Advisory Council to ensure the organization will continue to adapt to serve entrepreneurs and small business owners. She will also oversee the continued expansion of services and programming available to WBC clients.
“I am delighted to be named the next Director the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance,” Patzer said. “I will ensure the WBC continues to support entrepreneurial opportunities and provide a high level of guidance to women, people of color, veterans, and low to moderate income individuals in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. The goal of our programs and services is to provide the space for small business owners to develop economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship.”
Yates, a graduate of Andrews University, comes to the WBC with over a decade of experience working with minority and underserved populations. Yates also manages a podcast that has a global reach and enjoys creating voice-over narrations for commercial, radio, and television ads.
“I am pleased to join on as Manager of the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance,” Yates said. “The commitment to helping women, people of color, veterans, and socially/economically disadvantaged individuals launch and scale their businesses aligns perfectly with my views. I look forward to the work that the WBC will produce in the near future.”
Patzer and Yates will utilize their professional knowledge to provide counseling to WBC clients and will launch new programs to propel small business creation, investment, and job growth throughout Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.
