Salt Lake City, Utah, October 18, 2023 – Kinect Capital, a Utah-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs in raising investment capital, is proud to announce the appointment of James Kemp as its new Executive Director. James, with his extensive leadership experience and commitment to diversity and inclusion, is well-equipped to lead the organization towards its continued vision of helping small businesses gain access to capital.
Tara Spalding, Interim CEO of Kinect Capital, shared her excitement about James Kemp’s appointment, stating, “James is a fantastic leader with deep organizational and operational skills. His passion for fostering diversity and inclusion aligns with our values at Kinect Capital. We are confident that his leadership will help us further our mission of empowering entrepreneurs from all backgrounds.”
James Kemp, previously the Managing Partner of a highly successful consulting firm, and a Silicon Slopes mentor, brings a wealth of experience to his new role as the Executive Director of Kinect Capital. Most recently, he served as the Chief of Staff and Worldwide Business Operations leader for Adobe Digital Experience, where he played a pivotal role in facilitating substantial growth from $300M to $3B in annual recurring revenue over the course of a decade. James’s ability to exceed expectations and manage high-stakes M&A activities, overseeing 20 global transactions ranging from $30M to over $4.5B, showcases his expertise in strategic growth.
Accepting this new role, Kemp stated “Utah is my home, and over the course of nearly three decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most successful businesses and leaders in the community. I’m excited and humbled by the opportunity to give back by helping entrepreneurs gain access to the resources, guidance and funding they need to thrive. Kinect Capital is uniquely positioned to help the next generation of business leaders succeed and create a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Marcia Nelson, Board Chair of Kinect Capital, added, “We are excited to welcome James Kemp as our new Executive Director. His track record in managing global operations and driving impressive growth speaks for itself. Under his leadership, we look forward to serving a broader community with modern and easily accessible approaches. We believe that this strategic direction will enable us to facilitate growth and access for entrepreneurs across the board.”
James Kemp assumes his role as Executive Director immediately, with Tara Spalding continuing as the Interim CEO for the near term.
James Kemp’s remarkable experience and exceptional results-driven approach make him an invaluable addition to the Kinect Capital team as they embark on a new era of growth and accessibility.
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About Kinect Capital
Established in 1983 as an educational 501(c)3 non-profit, Kinect Capital is dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and fostering the creation of groundbreaking industry leaders. Their mission is to empower emerging entrepreneurs, especially those from diverse backgrounds, in establishing sustainable and innovative companies that generate high-quality jobs and drive new economic opportunities, particularly in underserved regions of the U.S. Kinect Capital’s initiatives and programs guide companies towards becoming fundable entities, devising strategic funding approaches, and facilitating connections with investment and banking communities.
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