One of the greatest leadership lessons Kathy Henrich has learned in the last year is that nothing can remain static. “Change is inevitable and constant, and as a leader, I need to embrace it and help my people adapt to it,” said Henrich. “Whether it is changing customer needs, market conditions, business models, or technology, I have to be agile and responsive and foster a culture of innovation and learning in my organization.”
This lesson has helped Henrich to empower her team as the chief executive officer of MKE Tech Hub Coalition, a nonprofit organization with a mission to inclusively grow the tech ecosystem in Southeast Wisconsin to create enduring economic prosperity and life-changing jobs.
Under Henrich’s guidance, MKE Tech Hub Coalition has grown from a startup to a sustainable organization with over 135 organizational members and established initiatives. While working on these long-term initiatives, Henrich and her team have balanced this with short-term results through programs ranging from an early-stage incubator with over $450K in grants given, a summer internship program serving over 400 individuals, a platform (choosemketech.org) to promote our tech region that now attracts over 8,000 visitors per month and reskilling/upskilling opportunities.
“Progress occurs in collaboration with so many others in the region, but we’re happy to act as a unifying force to advance the regional economy and create good jobs for individuals,” said Henrich.
Progress has led Henrich to pursue various initiatives to support and mentor talent in the field of AI and technology. As the chief executive officer, she has led the efforts to create a vibrant and inclusive tech ecosystem in the Milwaukee region with involvement in FUSE, a collegiate-level internship program, and mentoring with FOR-M founders to help them overcome the challenges and pitfalls of starting a business.
Looking forward, Henrich said her goal in the next year is to help accelerate business adoption of the advanced technologies that will be necessary to be successful in this new era. “Supporting businesses will require expansion of services to help businesses prioritize, quantify impact and scope initial projects for implementation,” she said.
A two-time Titan 100, Henrich said her involvement with the program has helped her see the collective vision she shares with her team and the community. “The greatest value of this platform is that it allows me to amplify my voice and influence, and to inspire others to join me in advancing AI and tech in the region,” she said. “It also connects me with other titans who are leaders in their fields and potential collaborators for future initiatives.”