Need some startup advice? Book office hours online with our two newest ATDC team members, both experienced in the world of technology startups. Jennifer Bonnett and Steve Rushing now serve as coaches for member companies, providing insight on business model searches, fundraising, team development and more. Jennifer is serving as a Community Catalyst, taking the lead on ATDC’s educational and mentor programs, while Steve is an Executive in Residence focused on healthcare information technology. In addition to coaching, they both have strong connections to prospective business advisors, investors and customers, furthering ATDC’s mission of coaching, connecting and community.
Here’s a little more background reading on the newest additions to the ATDC team.
- Jennifer Bonnett is a technology entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in information technology/software development, specializing in web and mobile technologies. She is currently “Chief Chick” of StartupChicks, a networking and educational organization for entrepreneurial women involved in media, technology, bio tech and green startups. She also serves as CEO of Nexpense, a mobile technology company focused on eliminating expense reporting for small to mid-sized businesses through the use of mobile devices, business rules and automation. Previously, Jennifer was VP of Technology for Seacoast Synergy, a technology business incubator, and co-founder/Chief Technology Officer of eTour.com, an internet advertising engine once labeled the “Most Addictive” site on the web by Industry Standard and the “coolest tool site” of the year by coolsiteoftheday.com. In her new role as Community Catalyst with ATDC, she will coach member companies, while also promoting ATDC and its companies to industry stakeholders. In addition, Jennifer will work with ATDC mentors to help program various educational events, both in Atlanta and Savannah.
- Steve Rushing brings three decades of experience in health care management and information systems, with clients ranging from community hospitals and multi-specialty clinics to home health care agencies and health maintenance organizations. He currently serves as director of health@ei2, a program responsible for health information technology research and deployment initiatives. Recent projects have included assistance to the Georgia Department of Community Health in conducting an environmental scan of the state’s health information technology (HIT) landscape and HIT assistance in developing a strategic and operational plan for Georgia’s statewide health information exchange. He also serves as an executive-in-residence at the Health Systems Institute, a joint venture between Georgia Tech and Emory University’s School of Medicine. In addition, he currently oversees the Jobs Accelerator project’s implementation at EI2 and multiple state and federal partnerships. This integrated project, funded by the EDA, ETA and SBA, addresses job acceleration through effective HIT commercialization and educational programs aimed at both the supply and health care provider sides of the HIT cluster in Georgia.Previously, he worked for Anderson Consulting (Accenture) for 25 years in its health care practice, as well as for The North Highland Company, BearingPoint’s Clinical Transformation practice and Superior Consultants’ e-health division. Through his position with ATDC, Rushing will council health information technology and related industry members on navigating the rapidly changing and complex health I.T. landscape, and share leadership and management experiences.