October 2024
Jennifer Ryan
As GEDI celebrates its 40th class of the Intensive Economic Development Training Course, we have been chatting with some of our course alumni to learn where they are now and how their participation in the program has impacted their professional careers.
Dorothy George currently serves as the Small Business Relationship Coordinator for the City of Birmingham. Ms. George is a graduate of Intensive Class 2024 - The 40th Class.
Q & A with Dorothy
Since graduating Intensive, I've been focused on expanding Birmingham's Legacy Business Programming. This includes strategic outreach to legacy businesses, those that have been operating for over 25 years with 20 or fewer employees, by developing workshops, place-based development initiatives, and hosting events that offer networking opportunities and access to key resources. With many baby boomer owners preparing for retirement, the City of Birmingham is working on a strategic approach to ensure these businesses continue to thrive.
The biggest lesson I learned was how the state’s constitution influences the way government interacts with businesses, both large and small. This gave me a deeper understanding of how to identify more effective solutions as a municipality.
Yes. I personally stay in contact with a few of my classmates. I just recently graduated from the program, but I am confident that these connections will help me advance in my career and move further along in my purpose.
