Cynthia Crutchfield leads Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots. The Montgomery native may be at the top of her career but it’s only the beginning for her time as CEO of Innovate Alabama.
After just one year, Crutchfield and her team are less than a month away from launching the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) which will provide $98 million in capital to the state of Alabama for entrepreneurs and innovators.
“SSBCI will provide more flexibility and create long-term momentum for the state to recycle and re-invest in the evergreen funding stream.”
Crutchfield is changing the game for small-business growth and opening doors to venture investments in the state, ultimately building an ecosystem where all communities can reach their full economic potential.
A game-changer herself, Crutchfield remarks about the momentum in the state, “we all rally around ‘growing roots in Alabama.’”
A saying that is spreading across the innovation community as supporters from government, business, and non-profit sectors band together under the unified vision of Innovate Alabama.
Crutchfield’s ability to join great minds in Alabama for the betterment of its people makes her a 2024 Woman of Impact. Through her own career as an entrepreneur Crutchfield has always made serving others the priority.
Before joining Innovate Alabama, Crutchfield Founded Crutchfield Management Consulting, servicing minority founders within government. Additionally, she served as COO of The Crutchfield Company, a real estate investment company, providing affordable housing to college students, veterans, and underprivileged families. Before that, Crutchfield carried out a successful 40+ years within the Federal Government market as a civil servant and as a contractor within private industry.
“Innovate was an opportunity to support the growth of the state and still works towards the same purpose to serve minority businesses.” Crutchfield notes.
“I’m a believer that you don’t do it alone.”
Crutchfield credits the people who have always surrounded her, saying “it always comes back to the support team. Family especially, no one understands the journey like close friends and family.”
Specifically in Alabama, Crutchfield is inspired by “my board of directors for Innovate Alabama.” She speaks to how they “have been instrumental in success by way of empowering and trusting. It always gives me a boost knowing they are supportive of things we are trying to do.”
Crutchfield is also quick to highlight “Team Innovate.” Whether employees or extended Innovate Alabama team, she says her success is made possible by their willingness to get on board with the priorities and the direction she envisioned, “trusting there will be impactful outcomes.”
When asked to elaborate on what makes a good team, Crutchfield doubled down on trust. Given many of Innovate Alabama’s functions operate outside of the organization, trust is pertinent. Whether EDPA, Kassouf, Peritus PR, etc, it all comes back to the vision of growing roots in Alabama. Crutchfield’s trust in her team has given way to the trust she has been able to build with the board, and thus, the trust that innovators and entrepreneurs have in Innovate Alabama to build a knowledgeable economy that can compete in the 21st century.
When asked about what it’s like to be a woman in business specifically, Crutchfield highlights what she has seen a unique quality in women to be unifiers. “We are nurturer’s inherently, so we can create an environment where our team can thrive.”
“I also think we have a ‘never give up’ attitude.”
These qualities are not exclusive to women and are attributes that make a great leader regardless of gender.
Crutchfield talks about her strategy for staying prepared and growing as a leader, “I talk to a lot of people. I’m always engaging other leaders – male, female, all different markets. Collaboration and exchanging of information is very helpful.” But she notes the primary key to growth is from her team.
“The best feedback comes from listening to your team.” Whether it’s working through challenges or adhering to different preferences, “they can help build my leadership skills.”
What’s next for Cynthia Crutchfield?
Crutchfield exclaimed, “I’m excited about the engagement with our underserved and rural communities, connectivity to students, the workforce, etc. for future economic participation!”
After a longstanding career of helping others, Crutchfield isn’t slowing down any time soon. Her voice as CEO of Innovate Alabama amplifies opportunities for all to build businesses in our state, making Cynthia Crutchfield a 2024 Woman of Impact.
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