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Cultivate Lancaster names Catherine Bonser new director, launches business mentor program
Rachel Curry//February 11, 2026//
PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Cultivate Lancaster names Catherine Bonser new director, launches business mentor program
Rachel Curry//February 11, 2026//
Listen to this articleSummary:
- Catherine Bonser became director of Cultivate Lancaster on February 6.
- Bonser has experience with Dentsply Sirona, Kodak, and SCORE Lancaster Lebanon.
- Cultivate Lancaster will launch a new business mentor program for local entrepreneurs.
Lancaster-based hub for startup and small business resources, Cultivate Lancaster, welcomed Catherine Bonser as the organization’s new director on Feb. 6.
Bonser brings to her new role a strong background in business management, including for organizations like Dentsply Sirona and Kodak (the latter of which she spent more than 28 years working her way up to director of business transformation and vice president).
More recently, Bonser spent seven years as a professional volunteer with small business mentor organization SCORE Lancaster Lebanon, serving as chapter chair and leading a team of 70 volunteer mentors. She personally advised over 100 small business clients during this time. She simultaneously volunteered as a court-appointed child advocate for CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.
“[Cathy] brings a wealth of experience with her work with entrepreneurs and small business owners,” Tom Wallace, Cultivate Lancaster steering committee chair and Lancaster Chamber director of business development, said in a release.
In addition to this leadership shift, the organization readies to launch a new, upcoming program called Cultivate Lancaster Business Mentors, which will include a team of experienced professionals and volunteer leaders focused on assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs in and around Lancaster. Users will be able to request mentorship online and select mentors aligned with their needs.
This move is based on research from the Small Business Administration, which says that businesses engaged with mentors are twice as likely to persist beyond five years, earn more revenue and grow more quickly.
In her new role, Bonser will work to enhance member engagement and maximize value of existing and new programs while strengthening partnerships (including those with Lancaster Chamber, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster Bar Association and more).
“Seeing our talented professionals give back to the community inspires me to believe these expanded services will truly strengthen our local economy and help both businesses and partners thrive together.” Bonser said in a release.
