At Innovate New Albany, our team is passionate about fostering innovation and supporting local businesses. We’re here to connect, collaborate, and help turn ideas into success.
Since 2014, Neil Collins has served as Onsite Leader at Innovate New Albany and the creative force behind award-winning programs such as TIGER® Events. In his role, Neil has recruited startups, small businesses, and nonprofits that have leveraged Innovate New Albany resources, services, and partnerships to grow. Innovate New Albany’s most popular program, the TIGER Event Series, has attracted thousands of participants with more than 35 speaker events annually, including TIGER Talks, TIGER Tales, and TIGER Tools Workshops. Neil has created and oversees Innovate New Albany’s onsite and online events and programs, including Expert Office Hours, Synergy Groups, Innovators Chat + Chill, and the soon to launch So You Want to …? panel events. In addition to Neil’s Innovate New Albany work, he consults with startups and other organizations with a focus on strategy, branding, marketing, and business development. For the past three years, Neil has been an instructor for Denison Edge, a program offered by Denison University that delivers business skills education to students and professionals. Neil earned his BA in Economics from Wesleyan University and his MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Jackie Russell is a skilled Economic Development Specialist at the City of New Albany Community Development Department, driving local business growth through research, outreach, and retention programs. Jackie’s leadership and dedication to public service make her a valuable force in promoting positive change and economic advancement. Her expertise includes coordinating financial incentives, developing marketing strategies to bolster economic vitality, and overseeing Innovate New Albany or serves as liaison between the City and Innovate New Albany. Jackie is a board member of the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE), a membership-based organization that provides educational, networking, and collaboration opportunities to members to strengthen the profession, communities, and Columbus Region. With a master’s in public administration from The Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s in public Affairs from The Ohio State University, Jackie brings solid academic grounding to her work. In her free time, she coaches the Varsity Women’s Basketball at New Albany High School.
Innovate New Albany, the City’s entrepreneur and business resource hub, leverages the community’s unique assets to provide the resources and collaboration that accelerates growth for companies of all sizes.
7775 Walton Parkway Suite 100
New Albany, OH 43054
