The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) last week announced Rosalina Perez has been promoted to director of the WEOC Women’s Business Center.
Perez, who most recently served as bilingual program manager and entrepreneurship coach at the center, succeeds Leslee Hill, who is leaving for a position with Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Perez said she is grateful for the opportunity to lead the organization.
“I have no words honestly, because you don’t think that you’re fit or whether it’s good enough,” she said. “But I’m just really grateful that they see what I bring to the organization.”
The Women’s Business Center supports entrepreneurs in northeast Indiana with coaching, resources, and programs tailored to meet the needs of women and underrepresented business owners.
Perez joined the Women’s Business Center in 2022 and developed and oversaw the Hispanic program at the NIIC. During her tenure, she has managed federal Small Business Administration grants and led coaching and workshops specifically tailored to the needs of both English- and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in the region.
She said covering a large area with a very small staff remains a challenge for the center.
“I think now the obstacle is really being able to still keep that footprint and then also to make sure that we have someone who is in my position now to be able to expand on the Spanish-speaking side of it as well like I did,” Perez said. “So making sure that I can still bring someone on who has that background and can develop relationships.”
In her new role, Perez will oversee the center’s budget and continue to advocate for diverse entrepreneurs, the NIIC said. She will also direct the NIIC coaching program.
“Perez embodies the values and vision of the WEOC Women’s Business Center,” NIIC President and CEO Mike Fritsch said in a news release. “Her dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic development makes her the perfect choice to lead this program into its next chapter.”
Looking long-term, Perez said she wants to streamline the center’s process, especially when it comes to data collection.
“There are a lot of initiatives that I’m more working on right now through economic development to show what’s the need for our entrepreneurs? Where are they needing the support?,” she said. “That data is so essential for them to see. So we want to be able to streamline that data better…for our clients, for organizations and those partners that need it, so that we can continue funding and make those changes.”
Leslee Hill has led the Women’s Business Center for the last seven years, and is stepping down to become vice president for investor engagement at Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Hill said she is confident in Perez’ ability to lead the center forward.
“Her fresh perspective, agility as a leader, and gift for collaboration will breathe new life into the program,” Hill said in written remarks. “Perez is a straightforward communicator with an inspiring vision, and I have no doubt she will take the WEOC to new heights—achieving far more than I ever imagined.”
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