Nebraska Innovation Campus has a new executive director.
Kate Engel has been named executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation, the nonprofit that oversees the University of Nebraska-Lincoln research campus located at the former State Fairgrounds site.
Engel has been the interim executive director for the past year and started her permanent role Wednesday.
She succeeded Dan Duncan, the founding executive director, who retired in April 2023.
Sherri Jones, interim vice chancellor for research and economic development at UNL, said the campus has been a valuable resource for university innovators, startup companies and economic development.
“Kate has been a key contributor to the campus’s incredible growth during that time. I am confident that she is the best person to lead this vibrant campus and to ensure that NIC is a major driver of economic vitality in our community and state,” Jones said in a news release.
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Engel earned a bachelor's in fine arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University; a Master of Arts in management from Doane University; a Master of Science in leadership from the University of Nebraska; and a graduate certificate in public relations and social media from UNL’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
In 2011, Engel joined NIC to assist with establishing operations and marketing prior to the campus’s opening in 2012. Later, she became director of strategic partnerships and communications, facilitating recruitment and retention, marketing and public relations, space buildouts, workforce development and resources and programs for NIC’s partners.
“We are very excited that Kate has stepped into the role of executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation,” said Matt Williams, NICDC board chair, in a news release. “Kate has been with the campus since its beginning and has great knowledge and experience to lead us forward. Innovation Campus has made great progress, and under Kate’s leadership, it will continue to contribute to the success of our university and our state.”
Under Engel’s leadership, Innovation Campus received the 2023 Outstanding Research Park Award for its partnerships, collaborations and spaces that have supported industry growth, commercialization and resources for entrepreneurs at UNL and in the community.
In 2019, Engel received the association’s Rising Star Award. She also serves on the Association of University Research Parks’ board of directors.