NewBo City Market has named Julie Parisi as the organization’s new Executive Director. She began as a Shopkeeper in the incubator program with her business “Zaza’s Pastas” in 2015, served on the Board of Directors, then became a Market staff member in 2018.
“We know this is a great next step for the Market as Julie has the unique perspective of evolution from Shopkeeper, to graduated Shopkeeper, to staff,” said Shannon Hanson, NewBo City Market Board President. “We truly look forward to seeing her continued dedication and innovation as she leads the NewBo City Market staff.”
Parisi has worked as the Market’s Director of Business Development for the past several years, guiding all who start their business at the Market. Just in 2020, she developed and executed several initiatives to further improve the Market’s Business Incubator Program and drive more diversity and inclusion in Cedar Rapids’ small business landscape.
“I've been fortunate to be involved with the Market in a variety of capacities,” she said. “Knowing that now as Executive Director I can continue to work on our mission of supporting small businesses is incredibly humbling and exciting. I plan to build upon the amazing foundation that has been laid before by so many thoughtful community leaders.”
Parisi will take charge of her new position at the end of June, after the departure of the Market’s current Executive Director, Scott Kruger.
Kruger has served as NewBo City Market’s Executive Director for more than five years and will officially step down on Saturday, June 26. During his tenure at the Market, Kruger and his team doubled annual revenues through improved fundraising and popular events, and continued honoring the organization’s mission as a small business incubator through a flood, a pandemic and a derecho.
"Julie is the perfect person to lead the Market into its second decade,” he said. “Not only is she the embodiment of entrepreneurship, her small business journey has brought her to this place where she can support and guide a new and diverse generation of Market Shopkeepers. Julie is also committed to the cultural growth of the Czech Village and New Bohemia District, through her service on the CSPS Board of Directors and the partnerships she's built with AAMI, NCMSL, and EIAA."