[State College, PA] — Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (Ben Franklin CNP) today announced two additions to its business services team: Annie Hughes, who rejoins the organization as Director of Outreach and Education, a revised version of the role previously held by Cathy Von Birgilin, and Diane Bouis, who joins as a Transformations Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR).

Hughes returns to Ben Franklin CNP after previously serving as Director of Outreach from 2021 to 2023, a hybrid role with Invent Penn State in which she developed educational programming for Pennsylvania startups, with an emphasis on technology and manufacturing, and managed the organization’s BIG IDEA Contest. She currently serves as the Statewide Coordinator of the Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network, supporting 24 innovation spaces that provide free and low-cost entrepreneurship services across Pennsylvania, and is cofounder and CEO of Hughes Coaching & Consulting LLC. Hughes formerly served as Director of the Harrisburg LaunchBox at Penn State Harrisburg and Brand Manager of Global Innovation at the Hershey Company. Hughes uses her expertise in human-centered design to teach design thinking and innovation practice to organizations, professionals and students. In her renewed role, she will lead the design and growth of Ben Franklin CNP’s training programs, oversee marketing for the Ben Franklin Learning Center, and serve as a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and portfolio companies across the region.

Bouis joins Ben Franklin CNP as a Transformations EIR, a part-time role providing financial, marketing, sales, and business support services to Ben Franklin CNP staff and select portfolio companies. She is a published academic scientist with research experience in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, including work in gene therapy and immunology, and holds a top-tier MBA with experience spanning the energy, materials, food and agriculture, and healthcare sectors. Bouis has advised more than 300 startups through incubators, accelerators, and direct advisory work, and currently serves as Acting CEO of Microvascular Health Solutions. In her new role, she will provide ongoing mentoring and management assistance to portfolio companies and may contribute to Ben Franklin CNP’s TechCelerator program and Transformation Business Services offerings.

“Annie and Diane bring exactly the kind of experience our portfolio companies need right now,” said Steve Brawley, CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA. “Annie’s track record building strong learning programs for entrepreneurs, paired with Diane’s depth across science and business, strengthens the hands-on support we’re able to offer founders across the region.”

Hughes and Bouis will report to the Director of Operations at Ben Franklin CNP and will work across the organization’s University Park, Behrend, and Harrisburg campuses supporting startups, small businesses, and innovators throughout the 32-county region.