Inforum Set to Launch First ACTiVATE Class

DETROIT, Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Inforum is excited to announce that the first ACTiVATE® Michigan class will kick off Aug. 28 at University of Michigan - Dearborn. 

ACTiVATE® Michigan -- a proven methodology that guides women through the earliest stages of idea validation and technology commercialization -- is a key element of Inforum's inGAGE strategy, designed to position Michigan as the Midwest hub for high-tech women entrepreneurs.

About ACTiVATE® Michigan
ACTiVATE® is a year-long applied learning course that covers two phases that guides participants to identify and validate an idea and develop a business model and capital structure. Classes are scheduled one evening per week combining online and in-classroom interaction. All participants gather one Saturday per month. Ideal program participants are women in mid-career with five or more years of experience in science; technology; business development; management or professional services; women from corporate, academic and non-traditional careers who may stay in their current jobs while developing new skills and fostering innovative ideas.

About inGAGE
inGAGE is Inforum's strategy to position Michigan as the Midwest hub for high-growth women entrepreneurs. inGAGE bridges the gap between a strong and growing talent base of highly-skilled women and the need for an innovation-based economy - where new technology or technology-enabled products have the potential to change a market or industry.

Inforum is bringing two nationally recognized programs to Michigan -- ACTiVATE and Astia -- and we're helping grow the women angel investing community in Michigan. Leadership 
Inforum's inGAGE strategy, including ACTiVATE Michigan, is led by Kathleen Mechem, who joined Inforum earlier this year as executive director for entrepreneurial strategies.

Since 2010, Kathleen has been president and owner of Organizational Solutions, LLC, which provides strategic planning and development services to businesses and non-profits. Before that, she spent eight years as president and CEO of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation. Kathleen also has served in various executive level positions at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Jobs Commission, and the Michigan Department of Commerce for more than 23 years before joining the Chamber. Most recently, she was assistant vice president of corporate relations at the MEDC.

Kathleen holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University as well as several post-graduate professional certifications. 

ACTiVATE Instructors
Inforum is proud of the caliber of our ACTiVATE instructors. Each brings to the task valuable, real-world entrepreneurial experience. In addition, all instructors have passed a rigorous certification process. Confirmed intructors for 2012 are:

• Diane Durance, executive director, Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest
• Amanda Chocko, program director, Start Garden
• Joanne Belanger, former associate marketing director, consumables and durables, Bissell Homecare Inc.
• Rosemary Bayer, chief inspiration officer, ardentCause L3C
• Merrill Guerra, former executive director, Michigan Venture Capital Association
• Therese Peace, president, T.M. Peace and Associates Inc.
• Katy Caschera, owner, Need2 Be Inc.
• Ashima Saigal, president, Database Sherpa

Contact Information
For more information about inGAGE, contact Kathleen Mechem, Inforum's executive director for entrepreneurial strategies, at [email protected] or visit www.inforummichigan.org.

inGAGE is supported by grants from The 21st Century Jobs Fund and New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI).

About Inforum
Inforum is the leading professional organization focused on creating strategic connections and accelerating careers for women throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Inforum serves a broad range of professional women at different stages of their careers – from emerging leaders, to high-potential executives, entrepreneurs, and corporate board leaders. Inforum has offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids with operations in Kalamazoo, Lansing and the Great Lakes Bay Region. For more information, visit www.inforummichigan.org or call 877.633.3500.

SOURCE Inforum