Social impact incubator SEED SPOT appoints Zach Leverenz as its new CEO

After a national search for a new leader, social impact incubator SEED SPOT has tapped Zach Leverenz as its next CEO.

Leverenz has a background in tech and entrepreneurship. He founded and formerly led national nonprofit EveryoneOn, which focused on connecting low-income families to affordable internet and technological services. Leverenz also formerly served as the CEO of Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, a computer science and entrepreneurship education program for Palestinian and Israeli kids. He officially took over as SEED SPOT’s CEO last month.

Zach Leverenz. (Photo via LinkedIn)

“Now more than ever, we need brave, values-driven entrepreneurs to spark our recovery and lead our transition to a high-growth, high-opportunity economy — one that is more equitable and prosperous for all,” he said in a statement. “SEED SPOT is uniquely positioned to help identify, unleash, and accelerate these entrepreneurs. It’s an honor to join such a talented team in that effort.”

Leverenz is taking over from longtime SEED SPOT leader C’pher Gresham, who stepped down last fall due to an ongoing family matter. Gresham first joined the incubator in September 2014 as director of entrepreneur initiatives. He will continue to work with SEED SPOT in an advisory role. Corinn Carter was serving as SEED SPOT’s interim CEO since June 2020, but she will return to her chief of staff role full time.

“I am incredibly proud to hand the CEO torch off to Zach,” Gresham said. “Zach brings an extensive background in diversity, equity, and inclusion and scaling technology to drive social change. Under his leadership, SEED SPOT’s mission will scale and the impact will grow exponentially by supporting diverse, impact-driven entrepreneurs.”

Founded in 2012, SEED SPOT runs a six-week incubator every fall and spring, plus two-day launch camps, webinars and other programming for entrepreneurs. Outside of the District, the social impact organization has chapters in Phoenix, Minneapolis, Boise and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Susan Penfield, SEED SPOT board chair and CIO at Booz Allen Hamilton, noted that demand for the incubator’s services has been up since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year. SEED SPOT has worked with nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs through virtual programming in the last year. Check out the incubator’s website for its upcoming programs.