Kathleen Washington

Kathleen Washington is an Adjunct Professor at the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester, where she teaches Entrepreneurship. She is also the Managing Partner of Enterprise Solutions International (ESI), a consulting firm specializing in driving growth for small and mid-sized businesses through innovative strategies and financial/operational expertise. Her work spans international projects, including public-private partnerships in energy development across the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and Africa, aimed at enhancing economic sustainability and quality of life. Previously, she served as Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Rochester, NY, overseeing transformative urban initiatives, including the licensing of medical marijuana and revitalizing city neighborhoods.

Dr. Washington holds a Bachelor of Music from Syracuse University, jazz arranging studies at Berklee College of Music, and an MBA from the Simon School of Business. Her civic engagements focus on women’s equity, racial justice, and the arts, with leadership roles in organizations such as the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, and the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She currently serves on the boards of Gateways Music Festival, Southwest Area Development Corporation, and multiple advisory boards.

Her research and professional interests integrate entrepreneurship with urban development, sustainable economic strategies, and social equity, reflecting her dual academic and practitioner expertise.