New in KC: Ops leader joins KCSourceLink to strengthen network’s collective impact for entrepreneurs

A newly created director of operations role at KCSourceLink is expected to boost efforts to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with hundreds of resources for growing and scaling their ventures in Kansas City, as well as across the state through MOSourceLink.

Dena Thomas Aouassou, a veteran of nonprofit entrepreneurship support and workforce training, recently relocated to the Midwest from New Mexico, beginning the community-focused position in late January.

“I’m excited to connect the region’s doers, dreamers and makers with the resources they need to build sustainable, thriving businesses that drive economic growth,” she said. “Leveraging my experience in building skills-based programming, I am ready to listen to community needs, bridge resource gaps and strengthen networks to elevate small businesses and create greater opportunities for all entrepreneurs.”

In the new role, Thomas Aouassou is expected to support teams of navigators at KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink, as well as manage Kansas City’s 230-plus-member Resource Partner Network as well as Missouri’s, which features more than 600 organizations.

RELATED: How KCSourceLink and its Resource Partners are moving the needle on economic development

She also will maintain a deep knowledge of entrepreneurial resources and events across Kansas City and Missouri through outreach, networking and one-on-one meetings; build and sustain strong relationships with entrepreneurial support organizations, governmental agencies, corporate entities and other stakeholders to further entrepreneurship; and convene Resource Partners and key stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, build consensus on ecosystem strategies and address gaps in entrepreneurial support.

Thomas Aouassou previously served as senior director of programs at CNM Ingenuity Inc., a nonprofit created by Central New Mexico Community College that offers innovative workforce and entrepreneurship training and resources to foster economic growth and forge links between education, business and government.

During her tenure, she expanded resources for entrepreneurs and workforce programs, streamlined internal and external processes and enhanced the customer experience as the senior director of programs. 

Previously, she was a lecturer and fabrication lab manager at the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning, where she taught furniture and industrial design. Under her guidance, her students won national industrial design competitions.

KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink are programs of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Innovation Center, which houses a suite of organizations and programs that elevate entrepreneurs to help them succeed.

“Dena brings her passion of helping entrepreneurs to our organization, which has worked alongside our Resource Partners to further entrepreneurship for two decades,” said Maria Meyers, executive director of the UMKC Innovation Center. “I’m excited for her to support our current and future business owners as they create jobs and opportunities in our communities. With Dena’s leadership, we will further leverage collective impact so we can help more people start and grow businesses and build our economy.”

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