PHILADELPHIA – Community College of Philadelphia, CCP, recently announced Frances “Franne” McNeal as the new Executive Director of the College’s Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program (10KSB). McNeal joined the College’s 10KSB program as a Business Advisor in 2013 – the same year it was established on campus.
She will become the program’s first Black Executive Director. She previously worked for the 10KSB program as an adjunct faculty member at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, NY, and has more than 25 years of experience supporting and coaching small businesses.
“In my 10 years with 10KSB program, I’ve been able to help over 700 businesses gain the confidence and competence to ‘make small big’for their business and their community,” McNeal said. “Throughout my tenure in the program, I have served in a variety of roles including faculty member, business advisor, and educational services director. As the new executive director, I’ll work to advance the recognition of small businesses by showcasing the success of our 10KSB alumni, ensuring the continued excellence of the program itself, and strengthening partnerships with our regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Launched in 2009 by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation, the 10KSB program is a $500 million investment designed to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to education, financial capital, and business support services. The part-time, 14-week program has supported more than 12,000 small business across the country and nearly 700 business owners in the tri-state area. Fully funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, the program is provided at no cost to those who are accepted.
“Community College of Philadelphia has worked tirelessly to bring this premiere entrepreneurship program to businesses in the Philadelphia metropolitan market with the generous support of the Goldman Sachs Foundation,” said Carol J. de Fries, vice president of Workforce & Economic Innovation at the College. “The College’s mission and vision are tied to providing our business community with the tools to improve operations, grow revenue, and add jobs. The 10KSB program helps us be a leading partner in ensuring that the Greater Philadelphia region remains known for its talent, business growth, diversity, economic opportunity, and innovation.”
As Executive Director, McNeal plans to continue the excellent level of service the College’s 10KSB program provides to small businesses in terms of practical and hands-on business education, as well as ensuring that alumni continue to be engaged with the program and each other. She also wants to increase the visibility of the program so that even more qualified and diverse businesses owners are able to apply for the program and grow their business.
While cohort 27 of the program begins on May 9, applications are accepted at any time.
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