GO Topeka announces new SVP of Innovation
GO Topeka is excited to announce the hire of Stephanie Moran to serve as the organization’s new senior vice president of innovation.
Moran comes to GO Topeka after spending three years as president of Nutri-Shield, a Kansas-based agriculture startup. Moran also spent 18 years at Payless ShoeSource’s headquarters and led many efforts, including the creation of their international franchising division. Her first day with GO Topeka will be March 28.
“We are fortunate to have Stephanie joining the team at GO Topeka,” said Molly Howey, president of GO Topeka. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for the community,along with unique experiences that come from working in an agriculture startup company. We have built a solid foundation for Stephanie to capitalize on, and I am confident she will lead the community to continued success.”
“The future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Topeka has never looked brighter,” said Duane Cantrell, chair of GO Topeka’s innovation advisory board and managing partner of Fulcrum Global Capital. “I am confident that Stephanie Moran will continue to advance this work. Her experience leading an established startup like Nutrishield, and her background in international business with Payless ShoeSource make her uniquely prepared to speak to global entrepreneurs and business leaders as we position Topeka and Shawnee County to lead the region in innovation.”
Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership also shared “Topeka and Shawnee County have made incredible progress in attracting the attention of the global startup community over the past few years. I am very pleased to see a person of Stephanie’s caliber assume this role. Her background, and ability to speak directly to the startup owners experience will greatly enhance GO Topeka’s ability to connect with entrepreneurs and innovation leaders in the years to come.”
Moran and her family live in Topeka, many may already know her from her community involvement. At GO Topeka, Moran will build on progress already made in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship and pursue new initiatives that arise under her leadership.
“I am excited to join the GO Topeka team and continue the work of the Greater Topeka Partnership in cultivating a new generation of startups and businesses,” Moran said. “I have built a career working with international businesses and spent the last three years as president of Nutri-Shield, a Kansas-based ag-tech startup. I know the challenges those emerging businesses and innovators are facing. I am excited to be an advocate for these groups and to make sure that GO Topeka is positioned to attract and develop Topeka and Shawnee County’s next generation of employers.”
