Washington, DC, December 23, 2024 — Akela and RiverNorth, both woman-owned and woman-led professional services firms, are proud to announce their official Mentor-Protégé partnership under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP). Akela specializes in supporting complex federal agencies in the areas of program integrity, financial and grants management, accounting, as well as risk, controls, and compliance. RiverNorth is a leader in financial assistance programs, bringing extensive federal policy, compliance, internal controls, and IT modernization experience for loan and grant programs.
This strategic alliance is designed to enhance Akela’s development as a small business by fostering collaboration and leveraging RiverNorth’s mentorship, resources, and industry leadership. Over the next six years, the partnership will focus on strengthening Akela’s capabilities, expanding contracting opportunities, and building a foundation for long-term financial and operational success. Together, their complementary capabilities will enable successful program implementation, financial controls, and fraud detection for our government’s most critical grant and loan programs, as well as the IT infrastructure that enables the programs.
“Akela embodies all the specialized expertise, integrity, and drive to deliver the highest quality services for the American taxpayer that you look for in a partner. They are one of those rare companies that embody the exact recipe for success. RiverNorth and I personally feel so lucky to have the opportunity to mentor Akela in their journey and watch them reach the heights they are destined for,” said Briana Coleman, CEO and Founder at RiverNorth.
Akela’s CEO, Crystal Wolf, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership: “Partnering with RiverNorth through SBA’s program is an incredible opportunity for Akela. Their mentorship and guidance will strengthen our ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and position us for long-term growth. RiverNorth has already provided great support as we launched Akela and we are excited for what’s ahead.”
The SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program aims to ensure contracting opportunities and financial stability for small businesses by encouraging established companies to provide mentorship and resources. By combining Akela’s specialized expertise in consulting services for government programs with RiverNorth’s robust capabilities, the partnership seeks to create value for clients, strengthen service delivery, and contribute to the broader success of both firms.
Together, Akela and RiverNorth are committed to excellence, collaboration, and creating opportunities that make a difference for their clients and communities.
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