The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia
Business Acumen
Agenda:
- 5:30 - 6pm: Check in and get your meal ($15 meal voucher provided)
- 6-7pm: Program
- 7-8pm: Optional networking and check out the NewBo vendors
Sarah will share the story of NewBo City Market as a bold example of post-disaster revitalization—transforming a flood-ravaged neighborhood into a thriving hub of commerce, culture, and community. Her talk will explore how adaptive project management, mission-driven development, and cross-sector collaboration have positioned the Market to meet the evolving needs of one of Cedar Rapids’ fastest-growing neighborhoods. She will also highlight the Market’s current expansion efforts and the challenges and opportunities of building for long-term economic resilience.
Speakers
Sarah Blais
NewBo Leadership Team
Sarah Blais graduated from Grinnell College with Bachelor's degrees in Art History and Anthropology. She earned her Master's degree in Museum Studies from Georgetown University and studied Arts Business at the Sotheby's Institute in London. Sarah began her career at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, where she served as a Museum Educator and later led the department of Outreach and Innovation. She currently serves as part of the leadership team at NewBo City Market, a nonprofit business incubator in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she oversees fundraising, staff operations, and community partnerships to support the organization's mission of fostering regional economic development by uplifting entrepreneurs and artists.
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