Mabell has devoted her career to strengthening the systems, partnerships, and infrastructure that enable underrepresented entrepreneurs to thrive. Her work blends rigorous economic insight with deep empathy for the lived experiences of the small businesses she serves, and her leadership has influenced national approaches to entrepreneurship support.
Most recently, Mabell served as Chief Growth Officer and Head of People & Culture at ABCD & Company, where she guided strategic growth and developed organizational systems that strengthened performance, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. Before this, she led Research & Innovation at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the nation’s leading voice for microbusiness. At AEO, she oversaw nationally recognized research, technology pilots, and cross-sector partnerships that deepened understanding of the structural barriers facing entrepreneurs and informed solutions leveraged widely across the field.
In addition to her national systems work, Mabell also brings a longstanding and personal connection to Start Small Think Big.
From 2016–2020, she designed, expanded and strengthened the organization’s Market Access Program, deepening partnerships and amplifying the visibility and voices of the entrepreneurs at the heart of its mission. During that time, Start Small Think Big laid critical groundwork for its current scale, and today the organization supports thousands of entrepreneurs annually through expert small business services. Her return reflects both continuity and a renewed commitment to supporting small business owners nationally.
“Mabell is one of the most passionate and visionary leaders in this space,” said Kristin Johnston, Board Chair. “She brings a profound understanding of the entrepreneurs we serve, paired with the rare ability to design solutions that work at scale. Her strategic clarity, compassion, and deep commitment to expanding opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs make her the ideal leader for Start Small Think Big’s next chapter.”
Earlier in her career, Mabell held roles at the World Economic Forum and Compass Working Capital, where she strengthened her expertise in economic mobility and equity, experience that laid the foundation for her later leadership in entrepreneurship and ecosystem design.
“I am honored to return to Start Small Think Big,” said Mabell. “This work has always lived close to my heart. Small businesses build resilience, opportunity, and community every single day, often in the face of immense challenges. Supporting them is both a responsibility and a privilege. I look forward to partnering with our team, board, funders, volunteers, and, most importantly, the entrepreneurs we serve as we build what comes next.”
As Executive Director, Mabell will guide organizational strategy, strengthen infrastructure, deepen national partnerships, and lead the implementation of Start Small Think Big’s strategic goals, with a focus on expanding access to markets, capital, and high-quality expert support. She will build on the organization's strong momentum to expand its national reach and deepen its contribution to the small business ecosystem.
