The RAIN Catalysts organization has filled its chief executive officer position with Rachel Jagoda Brunette, the board of directors announced last week.
Jagoda Brunette on March 18 will replace Caroline Cummings, who stepped down as CEO to transition into a position as special projects contractor.
RAIN — an acronym for Regional Accelerator Innovation Network — connects regional entrepreneurs with strategic resources for launching and scaling business ventures, including mentor connections, educational and training programs, and access to capital.
Philomath and seven other communities in Benton and Linn counties joined together and were awarded a Business Oregon Rural Opportunities Initiative grant in 2018 to join Oregon RAIN and hire a full-time venture catalyst. The organization also partners with communities on the Oregon Coast, Grant County and Lane County in Oregon, Island County and Skagit County in Washington, and in Pakistan.
Jagoda Brunette brings in over two decades of experience across philanthropy, nonprofit, innovation and governmental sectors, Cummings said through a press release. She previously led The Lemelson Foundation’s regional ecosystem initiative, catalyzing programs to support inventors and invention-based enterprises across Oregon.
“We have collaborated in the past during her tenure with The Lemelson Foundation team,” Cummings wrote. “During that time, she not only contributed to funding our programs but also collaborated with the RAIN Catalysts’ team on organizing Innovation convenings across Lane, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties in Oregon.”
Cummings said her successor’s work involved exploring the strengths and gaps within Oregon’s South Willamette Valley’s ecosystem.
“Consequently, she possesses a deep understanding of our unique inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem-building model and our entrepreneur- and community-led support we provide to underrepresented entrepreneurs and innovators,” Cummings said.
Jagoda Brunette will spearhead RAIN Catalysts’ mission to cultivate inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“Entrepreneurship and innovation are the economic engines of our communities,” she said through the release. “I’m honored to be stepping into this role to continue RAIN Catalysts’ work to ensure that all communities — especially rural and underserved populations — are able to enjoy economic opportunity and prosperity driven by enterprise creation and growth.”