LaunchTN names Dolan as new CEO
Nonprofit supports start-up companies
Launch Tennessee, the nonprofit supporting Tennessee start-up companies, named Nashville business leader Margaret Dolan as its new CEO, replacing Charlie Brock.
Dolan, a principal at consulting firm neil Strategies and former CEO of financial firm LocalShares, will begin her role at LaunchTN on Oct. 29. She previously led Saint Thomas Health Foundation as CEO and worked for two decades with Ingram Industries.
“I am thrilled to take over leadership of Launch Tennessee at a time when more people recognize the value of entrepreneurship to the growth and success of our state,” Dolan said. “I look forward to deepening my relationships with our statewide network of public and private partners as we collectively work to advance our mission of helping startups launch and thrive in Tennessee.”
Dolan left LocalShares, which created an exchange traded fund tracking Nashville-based publicly traded companies, this year after the firm liquidated under new owners AuthEX. AuthEX, formerly the Worth Group, bought LocalShares in 2017.
LaunchTN, which relies on state and private funding, announced in May that Brock would be leaving after six years with the organization. LaunchTN received 900 applications for the position, and Tom Ballard, chief alliance officer at PYA, led a search committee made up of eight entrepreneurship leaders statewide.
LaunchTN supports entrepreneurship initiatives statewide, hosts the annual 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival in Nashville and seeks to promote economic development through new business growth. The nonprofit has helped create more than 2,300 jobs and increase earlystage investments by 65 percent in the past five years, according to LaunchTN.
“LaunchTN is poised for continued growth, backed by a talented team, committed partners and a strategic plan that focuses on providing entrepreneurs the tools they need to stay in Tennessee,” Brock said. “I am forever grateful for my experience with this organization and know that Margaret will expertly guide LaunchTN in its next phase of growth and positive impact on our state.”
Reach Jamie McGee at 615-2598071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_.