Caitlin Vargas

About Caitlin Vargas

I serve as the Co-Founder of Collaborative EDO and Vice President of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where I lead efforts to strengthen and grow our regional startup ecosystem. My work is centered on supporting founders, expanding access to capital, and building meaningful partnerships across investors, universities, and community organizations.I created EmpowerPitch to address systemic barriers to venture funding for women founders, and I lead programs like PubTalks that connect entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and critical resources. Through this work, I have helped scale programming and create more inclusive, accessible pathways into innovation, particularly for founders who have historically been underrepresented.I care deeply about helping founders not just start, but grow and stay in Lane County and across Oregon. If you are building something and looking for support, connections, or a place to plug in, I would genuinely love to hear from you.

Experience

1. Co-founder & VP of Innovation Entrepreneurship

   Collaborative Economic Development Oregon

   Apr 2023 — Present · Lane County, OR, US

   As Vice President of Innovation + Entrepreneurship at Collaborative EDO, I lead initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, build strategic partnerships, and drive economic development. As a co-founder and author of the organization’s strategic plan, I achieved a 32% increase in programs and budget within two years, significantly expanding our reach and impact.I manage entrepreneurial programs like EmpowerPitch, and organize sold-out PubTalks that connect hundreds of entrepreneurs and industry experts. I also revived Latino Professionals Connect by securing multi-year funding, creating opportunities for community engagement and collaboration. My focus is on empowering startups and aligning efforts to amplify regional economic growth.

Education

• Bushnell University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  2014 — 2015

• Marist High School

  High School

  1998 — 2001

• New Mexico State University

  Master of Arts - MA, Anthropology

  2006 — 2007

• Sonoma State University

  Bachelors of Arts, Anthropology

  2001 — 2005

Skills

• Training
• Community Outreach
• Staff Development
• Customer Service
• Leadership
• Nonprofits
• Employee Training
• Program Management
• Policy
• Public Speaking
• Workshop Facilitation
• Leadership Development
• Volunteer Management
• Resume Writing
• Organizational Development
• Grants
• Administration
• Fundraising
• Event Planning
• Case Management
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Public Policy