Catherine Dolan

About Catherine Dolan

I am a community and economic development professional with 20+ years of experience supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven organizations across the nonprofit, higher education, technology, and private sectors.My career spans leadership and advisory roles including Director, Assistant Director, Manager, Community Development Officer, Advisor, and Consultative Sales Professional. I currently work full-time in the nonprofit sector, where I provide technical assistance, capacity-building support, and strategic guidance to early-stage and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, as well as to community development organizations serving them.Previously, I led teams focused on delivering business education, one-on-one technical assistance, and access-to-capital support, helping clients strengthen operations, navigate funding opportunities, and position themselves for long-term success. I also bring hands-on experience as a technology advisor to startups, supporting e-commerce, delivery platforms, and digital tools needed to stay competitive in an increasingly online marketplace.In addition to my nonprofit and advisory work, I have held inside consultative sales roles supporting organizations with productivity, compliance, and risk-mitigation solutions, managing both inbound and outbound sales efforts. Earlier in my career, I spent seven years at University of Phoenix in finance and enrollment roles, an experience that deepened my appreciation for education, financial responsibility, and student success. I hold a Bachelor’s-level education in Management and Master’s-level of Science in Psychology.I am a Subject Matter Expert in entrepreneurship at Clarkson University through my small business consulting work and currently lead the Western New York Microenterprise Collaborative, a coalition of organizations working together to share resources, align programming, and strengthen support for small business owners. I am also an active member of the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Advisory Council at Buffalo State University.Outside of my professional roles, I am a long-time advocate for research and community impact. I have volunteered and fundraised for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for over 22 years and served as a WEDI Winterfest committee volunteer and fundraiser from 2020–2024.Most recently, I founded my own consulting firm to support economic development initiatives across New York State, partnering with organizations, communities, and entrepreneurs to build inclusive, sustainable local economies.

Experience

1. Senior Community Development Officer

   Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

   Apr 2025 — Present · Buffalo, NY, US

Education

• University of Phoenix

  Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM), Management

  2007 — 2011

• University of Phoenix

  Master of Science in Psychology (MSP), Psychology

  2018 — 2021