2020 brought many diverse entrepreneurs and their ideas to the surface, and despite women and minorities notoriously receiving only a small fraction of funding in previous years, funding opportunities nearly quadrupled as of 2021, according to Crunchbase, though still only a fraction of the funding opportunities.
Andi Oppmann wants to change this.
Oppmann, MBA, customer experience marketing director for UPS’ western region, is passionate about bringing out the best in people and helping others achieve their goals. Through her day job, in addition to many volunteer experiences, Oppmann makes it her mission to empower those who are often overlooked in leadership and the entrepreneurial spaces.
Oppmann chairs the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Task Force at UCI Beall Applied Innovation, working with more than 30 members from Applied Innovation, UCI students, faculty and staff and Orange County business community.
“With the task force, we’re really advocating and supporting programs that are all about engaging the underserved, and we’re making sure that these people are included,” said Oppmann. “When you’re in an organization and you make a statement about diversity, equity and inclusion, if you just say it, but don’t practice it, then how do you lead by example? I felt like this is the perfect opportunity for me to lead the task force and really put action into the things I say.”
In addition to the task force, through UPS, Oppmann has dedicated hundreds of hours to several worldwide volunteer campaigns, such as the UPS United Way partnership and UPS’ Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteerism campaigns, to help underserved communities and allow her employees to give back, as well.
“It helps our employees to see someone give back to their community that they are a part of,” said Oppmann. “Through United Way, employees can donate to other non-profits they are really passionate about. What I love is that it allows for that diversity so that as a company collectively, we are making a big impact in the community.”
Through The UPS Foundation, the company and its employees have donated $53.5 million to United Way, as of 2020, in addition to $2 million worldwide for COVID-19 Community Response & Recovery Fund. Additionally, UPS launched UPS Ignite, a partnership with Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, that elevates underrepresented founders and their businesses aiming to reach 250 small and medium-sized businesses over the next three years.
Oppmann is also enthusiastic about mentoring young leaders and admires their energetic abilities and innovative ideas. She notes that young leaders will often give 110% and yet still maintain a work-life balance.
“I’ve learned to look at things differently. When you have a lot of experience, you have a certain perspective, but when you look at someone through the eyes of an emerging leader that looks at it in a unique way, it really helps inspire,” said Oppmann.
As for the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Task Force, Oppmann is looking forward to elevating underserved entrepreneurs in addition to connecting them with the community and the Cove @ UCI.
“I’m not an entrepreneur myself, but I’ve always admired people that are,” said Oppmann. “There are so many innovative ideas out there and I think people just don’t know how to plug into this ecosystem, and I can help them do that. I’m a marketer, communicator, so if I can be a part of connecting them until they get vested … better ideas, better innovation, and people can really realize their dreams by understanding what is available to them.”
Learn more about the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Task Force.
Main Graphic: Evans Akanno