The Cisler College of Business will be the principal entity involved. Marquette is the eighth city in the United States to join PowerLink. The program involves linking a business for one year with a volunteer advisory panel that consists of local professionals qualified to mentor the owner. It starts with an evaluation, measuring criteria such as annual revenue, sales, taxes, number of employees, square footage of space occupied and the value of the mentoring experience. Home-based businesses are considered, but are not usual.
Members serve on a voluntary basis.
PowerLink is sponsored by the Athena Foundation. Athena Foundation was formed in East Lansing in 1982. Its purpose is to present women with greater opportunities for leadership. It awards individuals who have attained success in their business or profession, given back in a significant way to their community and assisted women in reaching their full potential. President Judi Bailey of Northern Michigan University gave the project her support.