Executive Director

Hope Hartman

Hope Hartman has a diverse background that includes software, startups, technology transfer & commercialization, education, and non-profits. She has worked for family owned and operated businesses as well as high-tech, high growth venture backed companies. Most recently she served as a coach for the “Startup to Scale Up” learning community at Ingomu, a Colorado based startup and was the Executive Director of Girls in the Spotlight Foundation, a Fort Collins based non-profit. 

She started her first company when she was 18 and experienced her first acquisition in 2016 to a Japanese venture capital firm. Although Hope has worn many hats over the years, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small businesses learn, grow, and succeed. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, roasting coffee, playing ukulele, reading, and writing. Her motto is: Do it because you can. 

Assistant Director

Terri Donovan-Keirns

Terri Donovan-Keirns has been with the SBDC since November of 2009 and brings a wide variety of experiences with her. Terri graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She managed a local day care center for 10 years at which time the family construction business was growing rapidly. For the next 12 years Terri managed the family construction business with 5 other partners. During that time they started 4 additional companies in the areas of land development and rental properties. Terri also had a brief period working in the insurance industry.

Terri and her husband Randy of 33 years have 4 children, ages 31 – 19.

Program Manager

Sally Ebeling

Sally grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science. She’s pursued various positions from veterinary medicine and environmental regulatory to non-profit work. These positions have taken her across the U.S. from Hawaii to Colorado, West Virginia, Virginia, and most recently back to Wisconsin. She joins the Larimer SBDC having spent 2+ years as the Program & Business Development Manager for a Downtown Business Improvement District. She will be completing an MBA program in early 2022.

Administrative Assistant

Becky Douthit

Becky Douthit is the Administrative Assistant at the Larimer SBDC. Becky is a native of Fort Collins, CO and graduated from Poudre High School. She brings a wide variety of experiences with her. She has worked for an online correspondence school and most recently was the secretary of one of Loveland’s Elementary schools. Her understanding of small businesses comes naturally as both her parents and husband own their own mechanic businesses. She understands both the struggles and successes.

Becky and her husband Jason have 4 children combined, ages 17-21. They love spending time on road trips, camping and spending time with their family.