MARIETTA, GA, May 11, 2023 - From May 17 - 18, 2023 Truist Foundation Fellow Kathryn Smith will lead a Basecamp for 25 young leaders in their community. The Basecamp will focus on empowering participants with skills in launching a startup, crafting funding pitches, and marketing startups. The Fellow's Basecamp marks a key step in their leadership journey towards implementing systemic and scalable change to lower barriers to success for underestimated founders and new entrepreneurs. As part of the program, each Fellow was provided with funding and a step-by-step manual to run their own community Basecamp.

Kathryn Smith is the Founder of Walton Birch, an ecommerce marketing & development firm based in Marietta, Georgia. Walton Birch helps small businesses show up credibly and professionally online with expertly built websites, online stores, and marketing campaigns. Since 2019, Walton Birch has helped launch dozens of startups and small businesses.

Speaking about hosting the Basecamp, Smith said, "Launching a product or a business is hard. There's a lot that goes into it, and the odds are stacked against new founders. I am excited to help flatten the learning curve so new founders don't waste time spinning their wheels, like I did. Through this Fellowship and the support of Truist we are able to help even more people be successful in entrepreneurship."

In partnership, the Truist Foundation Fellowship and Watson Institute have teamed up to create the Truist Foundation Fellowship designed to equip the next generation of advanced social entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and experience to scale the ventures and community initiatives they are building. Over the course of a two-week intensive Accelerator followed by a year-long Fellowship, each Fellow will receive funding, participate in skill development workshops, a series of Impact Speakers, weekly meetings, and ongoing coaching and mentorship. This Fellowship will reach hundreds of early stage entrepreneurs across Atlanta, GA.

About Watson Institute

Watson Institute is a reimagined model of education that accelerates the careers of next-generation innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs through skills development workshops, committed mentorship, Impact Series Workshops, and a global network. Watson Institute's 349 Scholars and Alumni from 68 countries have raised over $175 million, created over 1,500 part or full-time jobs, and impacted over 5 million people around the world through the initiatives they help lead.

Learn more here: https://watson.is/truist-foundation-fellowship/

Contact Information
Ariana Agombar
Watson Institute
Boulder, CO
USA