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Editor’s note: This is an interview with one of the outstanding professionals in our 2023 class of Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business. To read all of the profiles of this year’s class, click on this link.
Nicola Corzine
CEO and Executive Director, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Inc.
- Age: 46
- Education: B.A., Liberal Arts, California State University Hayward
- Community involvement: ASTIA, Association of Corporate Growth, Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence
- Born: Shoreham-by-Sea, England
- Residence: Livermore
- What your company does: A non-profit committed to growing inclusion and access for entrepreneurs worldwide.
Biggest impact on your life: My father was an entrepreneur and he encouraged me early to always consider whether I could contribute to solving a problem felt or observed and then have the confidence to ask "why not me" in imagining a better tomorrow.My mom showed me the journey of learning is always ahead of us. She became a teacher of math to children in her mid 50s after having a successful journey as a nurse, turned top financial banker, to nonprofit support leader. Her passion and zest for always learning reminds me to never be limited by today's reality or my past.
Industry entry point: After spending a decade supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs at Band of Angels, I had the incredible honor of joining the Nasdaq Center as founding CEO.
Best advice received: Be fully present in every meeting and if you can't, don't go.
Guidance for aspiring female leaders: Building a personal advisory board is something I encourage every aspiring woman leader to consider. Make sure to network in adjacent industries, not just titles, to expand critical peer connections. Finally be bold and courageous to ask tough questions to your trusted network when it comes to pay and performance; all too often it's a taboo topic shied away from, but shared knowledge always makes us stronger.
Surprising fact: Most people would never know I was born outside of the U.S. except for my lingering love of all things Cadbury and traditional afternoon tea. Occasionally people ask about my name (common in England) and a soft accent shows up when I've spent a long time with my UK family. As much as I identify and cherish my heritage, I'm honored to say I became an American citizen one year after September 11th. That experience continues to be one of the most meaningful moments of my life that fills me with gratitude, joy and daily inspiration.
A common misconception about your work: Too often there's a dividing line between community and high growth entrepreneurship. Yet the last few years have shown the critical balance that exists between these perceived dividing lines. There's never been a one size fits all in entrepreneurship that captures the breadth of founder talent. It's the kaleidoscope of lived experiences that make up the real entrepreneurial story rarely won in a moment, a deal, or story.
