Betsy Olivanti

Biography

 Betsy Olivanti joined the UMD CED team on May 1, 2015 and offices out of Mesabi Range College’s Virginia campus, serving the Quad Cities of Eveleth, Gilbert, Mt. Iron, and Virginia; Ely; Hibbing, Chisholm and the surrounding areas. She brings with her a background in manufacturing, engineering, leadership, and small business management. Betsy graduated from Mesabi Community College with an Associates of Science and Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following, she worked in manufacturing as a design engineer, production manager, and Engineering Team Lead where she developed and led several Lean projects in the manufacturing and test process areas. When the facility closed, she went on to complete her Master’s in Business Administration at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Following the completion of this degree, she was employed as the Executive Director for the Mesabi Range College Foundation until accepting the position of Business Consultant with the CED. With her background in engineering, manufacturing, and lean methodologies, Betsy has been working, since day one, with our clients to ensure they grow and succeed. In order to do so, Betsy has pursued and received certification in Technology Commercialization and completed the following coursework: Profit Mastery, IEDC’s Basic Economic Development Course and the Technology Led Development Course, SBA’s Lender Training, and various other seminars at the ASBDC annual conference in Quickbooks, Digital Marketing/Social Media, Lean Methodologies, Business Transitions Planning, and the like. When she isn’t attending or volunteering at one of her sons’ activities, Betsy volunteers with the Virginia Fire Fighters Auxiliary, Mesabi Musical Theatre’s annual summer production, sings in the Range of Voices community choir, and Leads the Spirit Lake 4H Club. She is the Treasurer of the Mesabi Range College Foundation, the Vice Chair of the Mt. Iron – Buhl School Board, sits on the Laurentian Chamber’s Business Development Committee, and is working with the Heart of Virginia to revitalize its downtown corridor.

Research Interest

Business Administration