On behalf of GLI's EnterpriseCorp, Lisa manages a portfolio of select, fast-growth companies headquartered in greater Louisville. As a High Impact Portfolio company – a private/public partnership -- each business is evaluated to understand its growth opportunities and challenges and receives assistance in the areas of growth capital, tax incentives, talent attraction, site selection and local market exposure.  The associated program also includes a peer community of fast growth business leaders taking advantage of leadership, education, networking and recognition opportunities to support the community's business expansion strategy. The program’s vision is to make greater Louisville an easy place to grow a business.  Under her leadership, the High Impact Program has received the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Excellence in Economic Development Award, was a finalist for the CoreNet Global Economic Development Leadership Award, and received Honorable Mention from the International Economic Development Council's Excellence in Economic Development Award.

Given that capital enables business growth, Lisa also manages both the Louisville Enterprise Angels investor network and the Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund to match entrepreneurs with all sources of private equity funding. She vets and coaches solid investment deals to bring to the Enterprise Angels and oversees a business plan competition offering up to $250,000 per year in grant monies to early-stage startups.  In 2010, Lisa managed the community-wide task force to update the State of Entrepreneurship report as an integral element of the region’s visioning 2020 work.

Lisa’s career began in the online travel industry in Miami with Eastern Airlines and System One Corporation through progressive technology positions. She was appointed business unit leader of product management for System One, a travel distribution company, responsible for their distributed software product line and pioneered the companies' project management methodology. Later, Lisa led the product marketing and project management for Amadeus' eCommerce products for their North and Central American markets.  In Silicon Valley, Lisa was responsible for the marketing and sales launch of a new software application for Amadeus' partnership with BroadVision including managing a global team of developers located in Nice France, Miami, and San Francisco.   Lisa joined the economic development team at Greater Louisville Inc. in 2003 and EnterpriseCorp in 2009.  She holds a B.A. in organizational psychology and an MBA, both from the University of Miami (FL).

As Manager of University Commercialization for EnterpriseCorp, William “Bill” Dawson is responsible for aiding in the creation and development of local companies based on University of Louisville IP (Intellectual Property). Bill works in cooperation with NUCLEUS, University of Louisville’s Life Science and Innovation Center. By providing business development advisory services, resource networking and capital raising aid to early stage organizations, Bill is working to help build and foster growth in the biotech and high tech local ecosystem emerging from the University. 

Prior to joining EnterpriseCorp, Bill worked in the financial services sector with life sciences focused boutique investment banks including Dawson James Securities, Jesup & Lamont and LifeTech Capital, the last of which he was a co-founder. Bill held rolls in capital markets, helping to successfully market numerous banking transactions including private placements, underwritten registered secondary’s, registered directs and initial public offerings. Additionally, Bill worked as a sell side research analyst, holding the title SVP- Life Sciences Research where he was responsible for the preparation and maintenance of institutional research reports covering the small/micro-cap life sciences industry. Bill has degree’s in Biochemistry and Business Management from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.  

David Oetken is a life-long Louisville ‘local boy.’ He is a graduate of Atherton High School and Bellarmine University where he earned both B.A. and M.B.A. degrees.

Dave began his business career in the sports / entertainment industry primarily in ice skating and ice hockey. He has owned and managed three ice rinks and earned the Manager of the Year award from the Ice Skating Institute of America. In addition, Dave was operations manager for several professional ice hockey teams in both the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL).

He also owned, operated and sold several businesses in the food industry primarily in manufacturing and wholesaling. From there, he moved into the restaurant field and owned and operated a number of franchise concepts including Dakota Steakhouse and Steak Escape.

Currently, Dave is ENTERPRISECORP’s Director of Business Advising. He is also President & CEO of Louisville News Company and has been with the company since 1991. Louisville News is the largest distributor of thoroughbred racing publications in the eastern USA. David is an active member and past Vice-Chairman of the (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and volunteers at the Louisville Small Business Development Center