Who We Are
Alentejo Alliance is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting the people, businesses, and traditions of the Alentejo region. We partner with local communities, schools, and international collaborators to create meaningful opportunities, share knowledge, and strengthen the local economy.
Through collaboration, we help local businesses thrive, inspire the next generation with practical skills and entrepreneurial experience, and preserve the rich cultural heritage that makes the Alentejo so unique.
By connecting people, ideas, and initiatives, we aim to build a stronger, more vibrant community—one that celebrates its roots while creating pathways for the future.
The Cooperativa Empresarial
The Cooperativa is dedicated to strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit and local economy of the Alentejo region by connecting small businesses, emerging entrepreneurs, and educators. Through collaboration, we create opportunities, share knowledge, and build connections that empower individuals to achieve more together than alone. Our ecosystem offers mentorship, shared resources, and learning experiences designed to spark innovation and support sustainable growth. By uniting diverse voices, we foster a resilient, supportive community where every entrepreneur has the tools to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Education and Academic Partnerships
We foster collaboration through faculty partnerships, student engagement programs, and innovative learning initiatives. By working closely with local schools and businesses, we provide mentorship, hands-on experience, and pathways into entrepreneurship. Together, these efforts empower the next generation to build practical skills and envision a meaningful future within their own communities.
Cultural Preservation and Promotion
The Alentejo region is rich in history and culture that deserves to be celebrated. We work to preserve and promote its unique identity by supporting the arts, protecting local heritage, and fostering regional pride through community-driven initiatives. Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we honor the traditions, character, and history that make the Alentejo distinctive.
Meet Our Team
Alentejo Alliance was created with community in mind. The goal has always been to support the community and create connections and opportunities that allow for growth, creativity and connection. Meet the minds that brought the ideas to life.
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Cathy is the owner of Jennings House Eatery in San Diego, California, and the former Executive Director of the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University. With a rich background in leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and international business and communications, Cathy brings decades of experience to her work in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.
For the past 14 years, Cathy has led business and cultural trips to Portugal, working with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and university students on international business and social impact projects. Her work bridges cultures and industries, fostering collaboration between U.S. and Portuguese organizations. She has also partnered with Portuguese universities and secondary schools to deliver conferences and seminars designed to inspire and equip professionals and students alike.
Cathy loves to travel and enjoys coastal living. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with her family. She lives in San Diego and is the proud mother of two grown children and grandmother to three grandsons.