Buffalo, NY - Canisius University is strengthening its support for women entrepreneurs with the appointment of Buffalo resident Lauren C. Jenkins as executive director of its Women’s Business Center (WBC). Jenkins brings to the position more than 15 years of experience in marketing, business development and program strategy across entrepreneurial, nonprofit and corporate settings, along with firsthand insight as a woman business owner.
As executive director, Jenkins will lead all aspects of the WBC, which provides training, advising and resources to women-owned businesses across Western New York. She will oversee business advising and training, expand accelerator programs, strengthen community partnerships and broaden access to resources for women-owned businesses across the center’s eight-county service area.
Jenkins most recently served as head of marketing at StoreCash, a fintech startup within the 43North portfolio, where she led cross-functional strategy that supported seed funding and boosted engagement among underserved users. She has also held senior marketing and communication roles at VMware and Ingram Micro, and is founder of Flower Studio Co. Jenkins built the direct-to-consumer subscription business from the ground up, developing its operations, marketing and customer engagement systems. She will use that entrepreneurial expertise to guide WBC clients in launching, sustaining and growing their own businesses.
“Lauren’s experience building and growing her own business, along with her work leading marketing and strategy for companies, makes her an excellent fit for the Women’s Business Center,” says Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Irene Holohan-Moyer, PhD. “She understands what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur and will use that insight to help women and women-owned businesses expand, create jobs and contribute to the growth of our local economy.”
Active in the Buffalo community, Jenkins volunteers with the Family Justice Center and previously provided pro bono marketing support to St. Joseph University Parish. Through Flower Studio Co.’s “Flowers for a Cause” initiative, she has supported local organizations including Crisis Services and Western New York’s Women’s Foundation.
Jenkins holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from SUNY Oneonta and is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo’s Rising Leaders program.
The Women’s Business Center at Canisius University supports women entrepreneurs at every stage of business development through advising, education and access to resources. Established in 2003 with support from the Small Business Administration, the center serves women-owned businesses across eight counties of Western New York, offering business counseling, training programs, accelerator initiatives and networking opportunities. The WBC also works closely with community partners to expand economic opportunity and strengthen women-owned businesses throughout the region.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
