For more than two decades, Maria Meyers has helped shape the way communities think about entrepreneurship.

Long before "entrepreneurship-led economic development" became an area of focus, Maria recognized that entrepreneurs needed more than individual programs or isolated resources. They needed connected systems. Communities needed shared infrastructure. Organizations needed better ways to collaborate. And entrepreneurs deserved to find the right support at the right time.

That vision became the foundation for KCSourceLink and later SourceLink, creating a model that has helped communities across the United States strengthen their entrepreneurial ecosystems and better serve small businesses and innovators.

Today, as Maria prepares to retire from her role as Executive Director of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Innovation Center, we celebrate not only an extraordinary career but also highlight the lasting impact of a leader whose ideas continue to shape communities nationwide.

Building More Than a Network

Maria's contribution extends far beyond founding organizations; she helped create a new way for communities to think about entrepreneurship support.

Rather than asking organizations to work independently and in silos, she championed collaboration. Rather than building new programs where others already existed, she focused on connecting entrepreneurs with the resources already available in their communities. That philosophy has become the backbone of SourceLink's work and has influenced communities from Kansas City to Puerto Rico, from Seattle to Rochester, and across the growing national SourceLink network.

Today, her work continues to help communities build stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems that improve coordination, strengthen resource providers, and create lasting economic opportunity.

A Leader Who Built Others

Those who have worked alongside Maria often point to something beyond her accomplishments.

She leads with humility.

She trusts her team.

She believes the best ideas came from collaboration.

While her vision launched groundbreaking initiatives, she consistently focused attention on the people around her. She invested in partners, empowered colleagues, and encouraged communities to learn from one another. Her leadership created an environment where innovation could flourish because people felt trusted to do their best work.

That approach has become part of SourceLink's culture and, we think, remains one of her greatest legacies.

Advancing an Entire Field

Maria's influence reaches well beyond the SourceLink network.

She has helped define the practice of entrepreneurship-led economic development through research, writing, and collaboration with practitioners across the country.

Among her many contributions are co-authoring Beyond Collisions, a practical guide for building entrepreneurial ecosystems, and helping launch the first professional certification for entrepreneurship-led economic development professionals in partnership with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

These efforts have equipped community leaders with practical frameworks, shared language, and proven approaches for supporting entrepreneurs more effectively.

A New Chapter

While Maria is retiring from her formal leadership role at the UMKC Innovation Center, her connection to SourceLink is far from ending. We are so grateful that she will continue serving as an advisor to SourceLink, sharing the experience, perspective, and wisdom that have guided our organization since its beginning.

"It has been one of my career highlights to watch SourceLink and KCSourceLink grow," Maria said. "I look forward to continue to help advise the organization on the national level."

Her continued involvement reflects something that has always defined her leadership: building for the long term. Please join us in celebrating Maria Meyers for her extraordinary leadership and her enduring contribution to entrepreneurship-led economic development.