Catalyst

Question: What can I get off the ground this week by inspiring others to take part in my activities?

My Story:

For Christin, the strength of Catalyst has always been evident in her natural drive to turn inspiration into action—she especially enjoys leveraging the collective strengths of a community. Early in her career, she created a year-round, summer camp-style vacation company targeting fitness enthusiasts and designed to occur during the shoulder season when summer camp properties could be rented inexpensively. The camp weekends weren’t just about fitness; they were about belonging. And they resonated. For several years, she organized weekend trips at camps across the United States, hiring skilled and passionate artists, coaches, writers, survivalists, etc. to teach and share their skills with campers for a weekend. For several years, she sustained the business while breaking even, powered by the belief that people thrive when given something meaningful to be part of.

When ideating the summer camp company, Christin joined a business accelerator to further develop the business. She thrived in the fast-paced, high-energy environment and experienced firsthand how the program positively impacted the business outcomes of the entrepreneurs. When she was offered the opportunity to lead a regional chapter of that very accelerator, she saw it not as a career shift but an exciting opportunity to bring her community together to build something meaningful. Her Catalyst strength came alive, mobilizing volunteers and donors, connecting resources, recruiting aspiring entrepreneurs, and helping them turn sparks of ideas into tangible realities. Now, as Executive Director of that inclusive business accelerator, Christin partners with her community to help underrepresented individuals launch and grow their businesses. Through immersive training, personalized mentorship, and a robust support network, the program helps aspiring entrepreneurs clarify their market potential, identify their unique value proposition, and successfully launch their ventures.

Christin is especially energized by supporting people who have strong ideas but lack access to the tools and resources needed to bring them to life. She believes that when diverse founders are equipped to succeed, entire communities benefit. To her, being a Catalyst isn’t just about starting projects—it’s about igniting belief, unlocking momentum, and helping people transform possibility into progress.

“Every time I pass a storefront that came out of our accelerator, I’m reminded of the power of community—what can happen when someone with a great idea is surrounded by the right mentors and support.”

- Christin