Today, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of the newest member of their team, Olya Myers, as the Innovate Newport Community Manager.
Innovate Newport, powered by the Chamber, is a leading coworking and innovation hub dedicated to fostering economic growth and innovation in the region.
“The appointment of a full-time Community Manager marks a new stage of growth for both Innovate Newport and the Chamber,” the Chambers says in a press release. “While the Chamber has been engaged with the City of Newport in each stage of the development of Innovate Newport from planning, raising capital, rehabilitating the building, implementing the business model for the organization and developing dynamic programming to support the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, the hiring of a full time employee dedicated to managing the day to day operations of the hub represents the next phase of development”.
Erin Donovan-Boyle, President & CEO of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, stated, “We are thrilled to be able to expand our support of Innovate Newport with the hiring of a full-time community manager for our regional hub, dedicated to the organization’s successful operations. We are committed to serving the IN membership with management excellence, dynamic programming and continued community engagement. Olya’s track record in building partnerships and fostering collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision for Innovate Newport. We are confident that she will play a crucial role in strengthening our community, enhancing the member experience and propelling us forward!”
Olya Myers has a background in community engagement, business development, and strategic planning, and is poised to enhance our collaborative ecosystem and drive our mission forward. In her role as Community Manager, Olya will oversee the day-to-day operations of Innovate Newport, ensuring a high-quality environment for our tenants and members while fostering a dynamic and thriving community. Her responsibilities will include managing facility operations, nurturing tenant relationships, organizing community-building events, and driving membership growth through strategic sales and marketing efforts.
As a Fellow at the Rogue Women Fund, she collaborated with early-stage women-led startups, providing guidance on business strategy and market positioning. Her role as a Business Development Associate Intern at RI-Hub saw her strengthen professional networks, significantly increasing event participation and sponsor renewals. With a strong foundation in entrepreneurship, community engagement, and operational management, Olya is well-equipped to contribute to the strategic planning and development of Innovate Newport.
“Additionally, The Chamber expresses its gratitude to Kevin Buck, who has served as the part-time Community Manager for 3.5 years. Kevin will continue to be involved at Innovate Newport in the capacity of Facility Manager, ensuring continuity and support for our members and tenants,” the Chambers says.
Mollie Frazer Williams, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, will maintain her role, providing a platform for strategic partnerships, diverse programming and events, and collaborative opportunities for our community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders within Innovate Newport and Rhode Island’s broader ecosystem.
