Claudia Viek

Chief Executive Officer, California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO)

Micro Enterprise Development: A Potent Tool for Stimulating Local Economies

Micro Enterprise organizations that provide loans, business assistance and training have emerged as the primary support for Main Street businesses during this severe recession. What trends support a focus on investment in locally owned businesses and what needs to be done to focus economic stimulus efforts so that all of our diverse communities in California benefit? The presenter will also provide an overview of statewide Micro Enterprise resources and a description of current policies on the state and national levels. This California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity model for California can be replicated in other countries for their micro enterprise communities.

Claudia Viek is the CEO of CAMEO, the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity, a statewide network of 130 organizations and individuals committed to promoting economic opportunity and community well-being through Micro Enterprise development. CAMEO’s nonprofit members served 20,000 businesses in 2007 with training, business assistance and micro loans.

Ms Viek has been a pioneer in both the Micro Enterprise and business incubation fields in California. She was the founder and former Executive Director of the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in San Francisco - an award winning training, financing and business incubation program. Ms Viek served on the Board of the National Business Incubation Assoc and founded the Pacific Incubation Network of incubator members from Baja to Alaska.

Ms Viek is the past President of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of National Assoc. of Women Business Owners has served on numerous nonprofit boards in her community.

She has a BA from William Smith College, and has a large extended family, including eight grandchildren.