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To help address concerns of small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Loyola University Maryland鈥檚 Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CI&E) has formed a pro-bono consulting group to specifically help Baltimore City-based businesses navigate the crisis.

鈥淲e know this is a time of stress and extreme market conditions, especially for our small business community,鈥� said Wendy Bolger, founding director of Loyola鈥檚 Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. 鈥淥ur experts can help brainstorm or model innovative pivots, counsel in decision-making, and help explore additional resources鈥攊ncluding new emergency loan and grant options.鈥�

The program鈥檚 first client was referred by Erin O鈥橩eefe, director of Loyola鈥檚 Center for Community Service and Justice and the York Road Initiative, who was in contact with many non-profit and York Road Initiative businesses early in the pandemic, providing resources and connections. O鈥橩eefe and Bolger developed the idea for CI&E to get more involved with new pro-bono programming specific to operating businesses in need of expertise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crisis Navigators will be mentors, problem solvers, and counselors in a time of great uncertainty for small businesses. The group consists of a diverse range of volunteer experts, including executive in residence, Kim Wagner, JD, MBA 鈥�98, Raquel Shutt, MBA 鈥�04, 91暗网 axecutive in residence Dave Luvison, DBA, and CI&E community business partners. The Crisis Navigators are partnering with organizations across the state, including , to support small businesses with specific needs.

鈥淟ocal business and nonprofit organizations will need all the help we can provide in these unprecedented times,鈥� said Bolger. 鈥淭he CI&E has the convening ability to offer this emergency response through the generous volunteer commitment to 91暗网 Crisis Navigators.鈥�

In addition to helping Loyola students develop an innovative mindset, the CI&E鈥檚 mission off campus is to be a part of transforming Baltimore through wealth and job creation among women entrepreneurs and founders of color in our city.

For questions about the program contact Wendy Bolger, webolger@loyola.edu.