Thank You to Our Outgoing Leadership Council and Core Members
April 2026 marks the conclusion of two-year terms for several inaugural Council members, along with some transitions on the Core Team
By Andy Stoll, Founding Executive Director
Executive Director Update
April 1, 2026
The ESHIP Alliance is a community-driven effort—and our progress is shaped through shared leadership that has included a growing and evolving group of voices and leaders from across the field since 2021.
Today, we’re sharing several important Leadership Council and Core Team transitions and celebrating those who have helped build the foundation of this work.
The ESHIP Alliance is guided by two complementary leadership bodies
ESHIP Alliance Leadership Council
An all-volunteer advisory body that provides shared leadership to guide the field-level direction of ESHIP Alliance’s work. The Council is elected from the ESHIP Commons community and aims to reflect the the diversity of ecosystem building practitioners and national resource providers, helping shape collective efforts to strengthen the field.
ESHIP Alliance Core Team
The operational and strategic oversight group that functions like a “working board”—ensuring the ESHIP Alliance’s formation efforts and activities align with its mission and commitments. This group includes Alliance staff and volunteer leaders who lead projects, support operational execution, coordination, and organizational stewardship. Core Team members also serve on the Leadership Council.
You can see the current members of the Leadership Council and Core Team members here.
Thank You to Our Outgoing Leadership Council Members
After completing their 2.5-year terms, we want to recognize and thank:
Ifeoma Aduba (Entrepreneurship Funders Network)
Denise Rodriguez (Invest Puerto Rico)
Vanessa Roanhorse (Roanhorse Consulting)
Julie Heath (Indiana University Innovates)
Charles Ross (InBIA)
Elected in late 2023, these folks played an essential role in guiding the design and development of the ESHIP Alliance from its earliest days.
Charles Ross and Julie Heath also served as chairs during key phases of the Ecosystem Building Leadership Project (EBLP)—the community-led precursor to the Alliance. Their leadership helped steward the collaborative, community-driven design process that ultimately led to the formation of ESHIP.
We’re happy that all of these folks have agreed to continue to advise the ESHIP Alliance as we grow.
Thank You to Amy Beaird for Her Service on the Core Team
We also want to recognize Dr. Amy Beaird, who has completed her term on both the Core Team and Leadership Council.
Amy served as Treasurer since May 2025 and played a critical leadership role in building ESHIP’s financial and data infrastructure.
As she steps off the Core Team, Amy is continuing her impact through her newest venture, Ecosystem Edge—a sensemaking platform designed to give ecosystem building practitioners and funders a shared framework for understanding and advancing their work.
We’re grateful for her steady leadership and lasting contributions.
Welcoming Jim Woodell to the Core Team
We’re excited to welcome Jim Woodell, the Founder and Principal of Venn Collaborative, to the ESHIP Alliance Core Team.
Jim is no stranger to the Alliance. He has served on the Leadership Council since 2023 and previously co-chaired the EBLP’s Provisional Council.
His deep his in the economic development field, extensive ecosystem building experience, and long-standing commitment to the field make him a great addition to the Core Team.
Field Building Is a Team Sport
The ESHIP Alliance has been built through a shared, community-driven process that goes back many years.
All of the leaders recognized here have contributed their time and expertise as volunteers—alongside their day jobs and their roles as practitioners and leaders in the ecosystem building field.
We’re grateful for each of them—and excited for what’s ahead.
Learn more about the full Leadership Council, Core Team and staff on the Alliance website.