Meet Claire
Entrepreneurship Program Manager
A shared love for rural Minnesota and the spirit of entrepreneurship drew Claire to working at Southwest Initiative Foundation. Starting and co-owning a small business for 14 years has given her firsthand knowledge of how hard and rewarding owning a small business is.
As Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Claire works directly with prospective and current loan clients and other entrepreneurs and business leaders, in addition to project partners, economic development organizations, program funders, and technical assistance partners. She provides leadership in technical assistance and business coaching, relationship management, coordination of resource providers and partners, professional communication and outreach and marketing.
One of Claire’s favorite things about southwest Minnesota is that it’s full of unexpected surprises. The region and its residents have so much to offer and are a welcoming and inspiring home for a growing and diverse population.
A wife and mom of four, Claire makes her home on a farm near Sleepy Eye with her family. Together, they enjoy riding dirt bikes and 4-wheelers and camping. Claire loves to travel internationally, hunt pheasants and garden.
