Kathleen Washington

Kate Washington is an adjunct professor at Simon School of Business teaching Entrepreneurship.  She is Managing Partner of Enterprise Solutions International (ESI), a consulting firm that drives small and mid -sized business growth, combining imaginative “Main Street” development strategies with robust financial, operational, and strategic economic development skills. The company’s model meets businesses where they are, recruits the diversity of skills and resources required, and delivers increased profitability. Kate’s international business experience includes working with the highest levels of government leadership in countries in the Caribbean and South America building public/private partnerships to reduce the cost of energy and to build sustainable energy resources that increase the quality of life in these emerging markets. ESI’s work has delivered results in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa.

As Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Rochester NY, Kate led Housing, Real Estate, Business Development and Downtown Development bureaus that transformed the economic landscape of neighborhoods in the City of Rochester. She launched and managed the introduction and licensing of medical marijuana in Rochester NY and New York State in 2015.

Kate’s civic engagement includes leadership in women’s and racial equity issues; the arts; and business development. She was founding member of the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, Vice President of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, President of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault and currently serves on the board of Gateways Music Festival, and Southwest Area Development Corporation. Kate formerly served on the Simon School Alumni Board and Alumni Council and sits on the advisory boards of BioDrill Technical Solutions, Rochester Jamaican Organization, Kool Nerd Connects and Merrill Rusling. Kate earned her Bachelor of Music from Syracuse University, studied jazz arranging at Berklee College of Music and earned her MBA from Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester.