Hayley Van Antwerp, Executive Director, Innovation PortAL
Hayley Van Antwerp is the Executive Director of Innovation PortAL. The Innovation PortAL is a small business incubator / accelerator designed to encourage the successful development of entrepreneurial businesses on the Gulf Coast.
Hayley’s started her career in equity research sales in New York City. Transitioned to management consulting and provided technology strategy consulting to a number of well-known banks and broker/dealers. Several years and many frequent flier miles later, she decided to leave management consulting for a favorite client, Merrill Lynch (now known as Merrill Lynch/Bank of America). While at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America, Hayley worked in a myriad of technology strategy positions in the corporate risk management and global information security spaces. Most recently she managed domestic and international teams of associates specializing in technical solutions for acquisition & divestiture activity.
Hayley moved from New York City nearly three years ago when her husband received a job opportunity in Mobile. She has been working remotely for Merrill Lynch/Bank of America until she recently resigned to pursue the opportunity to become the Executive Director of Innovation PortAL.
Hayley is passionate about economic development, especially here in Mobile. She has been volunteering in her spare time for nearly a year to help create Innovation PortAL. Hayley is involved in our community in a number of ways. She is a board member of Mobile Museum of Art and the University of South Alabama’s Melton Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Hayley is also member of Providence Hospital Foundation’s Young Professional’s group and has been recognized by Mobile Bay Monthly’s 40 under 40 program.
Hayley is a cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University. She and her husband Bragg have four children — Thomas, 5; Emory, 4; Charles, 1; and Henry, a canine, 7.