Changemaker, CEO,
Visionary Leader
Recognized innovator in women’s leadership, small business advocacy and public service
Meet Jane
Jane’s work has earned widespread recognition. She has been honored in Crains Notables in Nonprofit and Philanthropy, received the Global Game Changer Award from TalentNomics, and was named one of Westchester Magazine’s Top Women in Business. She was featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal and profiled in Joanne Lipman’s book Next The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work and the Harvard Business School Alumni Newsletter. She received Profiles in Diversity Journal’s Women Worth Watching recognition and the Harvard Business School Latino Alumni Association Distinguished Alum Award for leading TAP’s work with Latino business owners. In 2024, Jane received further recognition for her leadership and impact on small business growth, earning the Visionary Catalyst Award, the Betty Cook Award, and a place on City and State New York’s Nonprofit Trailblazers list.
She was recently appointed chair of the Citizens Task Force on Jobs and Economy under U.S. Congressman George Lattimer (NY). Jane serves on Harvard’s Women’s Leadership Board, the Regional Plan Association Board, and the Nonprofit Westchester Board. She earned a BA magna cum laude from Yale University and an MBA with honors from Harvard Business School.
Jane Veron is an exceptional leader whose work creates lasting economic and social impact across every sector she touches.
Jane Veron is a force for positive good whose multidimensional leadership spans the private sector, public service, and the nonprofit world. Her mission driven approach seeks to mobilize women for economic impact and merges her business acumen with extensive experience in management, coaching, civic leadership, and community building. Throughout her career she has focused on expanding opportunity, strengthening local economies, and empowering people to thrive.
Jane is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Acceleration Project, a national nonprofit that equips under-resourced small business owners with high caliber consulting that would otherwise be financially unattainable. She built TAP to close the gap faced by entrepreneurs who have talent and determination but lack access to strategic guidance. Under her leadership, TAP has flourished. The organization now includes more than two hundred consultants who deliver high touch advisory services across finance, marketing, operations, strategy, and capital readiness. Since its founding in 2012, TAP has supported more than 10,600 small business owners nationwide with customized engagements, with momentum building toward exponential growth as it continues to scale. By pairing expertise with compassion, TAP accelerates business growth and contributes to a more resilient economy.
Jane brings significant private sector experience to her leadership. She serves as President of EJA Industries, a holding company for private equity investments, where she applies strategic oversight, commercial judgment, and operational discipline. Earlier in her career she held strategy and marketing roles at Bain and Company and American Express, experiences that shaped her understanding of how organizations scale and how markets evolve. This strong business foundation is central to the practical, results driven approach she brings to every sector she serves.
Jane’s public service record is equally distinguished. She served as Mayor of Scarsdale, New York, following earlier roles as Deputy Mayor, Trustee, Police Commissioner, Chair of the Planning Board, and President of the League of Women Voters. Additionally, she was appointed to the Investment Capital Advisory Committee (ICAC) of the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2023. Her leadership emphasized transparency, economic stewardship, and community engagement. For her impact in local government she received the Mayor’s Award for Exceptional Leadership and the Daily Point of Light Award founded by President George H W Bush.
Select Awards
Career Highlights
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The Acceleration Project
Co-founder and CEO of The Acceleration Project (TAP), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering small business owners and accelerating their growth. Jane leads strategic initiatives that provide resources, mentorship, and support to entrepreneurs.
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Mayor of Scarsdale
Jane served as Mayor of Scarsdale, New York, from 2021 to 2023, and previously as Deputy Mayor and Village Trustee from 2016 to 2020. Her civic leadership includes serving as Chair of the Planning Board and President of the League.
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EJA Industries
Jane is President of EJA Industries, a holding company for middle market private equity investments, and serves on several PE boards.
Unlocking Pathways. Transforming Communities.
Jane believes that everyone deserves a voice. Her mission is to empower diverse groups to work together for sustainable progress.
Speaking
Jane is a compelling speaker on leadership, entrepreneurship, and social impact, bringing together experience from City Hall, the nonprofit sector, and the small-business economy. As Co-Founder & CEO of The Acceleration Project and former Mayor of Scarsdale, she offers practical, inspiring insights on women’s leadership, economic mobility, public policy, and building high-trust, mission-driven organizations that drive lasting growth.
Featured Speaking Topics
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Women leading the future workforce
How women drive innovation and economic growth
Confidence, influence, and purpose in leadership
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The state of small business in America
Social return on investment and why supporting small businesses pays off
Building resilient and scalable companies
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Effective policies that strengthen small business ecosystems
Leadership lessons from City Hall
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The business case for community investment
Skills based volunteering as a strategic asset
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Leading with mission in a metrics driven world
Building high trust high impact teams
Purpose as a catalyst for growth
Jane’s Blog
Collaboration Spotlight
Featured Press
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Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School Alumni News spotlights Jane Veron (MBA 1991) and The Acceleration Project’s transformative model that empowers small business owners and fuels community-wide economic growth.
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Wall Street Journal
You’re Already Moving Toward Your Next Career. Far from being sudden or even intentional, the decision to change professional paths usually involves a series of small steps.
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CNBC Squawk Box
Navigating Career Changes. New Book on Reinvention in Life and Work. In her book Next!, Joanne Lipman shares career insights featuring Jane Veron. After leaving the workforce, Veron successfully transitioned to become a mayor and the CEO of The Acceleration Project.
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lohud.
Rep. George Latimer launched seven task forces for community-led federal policy. Jane Veron chairs the Jobs and Economy Task Force, applying her expertise to long-range district planning.
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The Hudson Independent
Latimer Launches Seven Citizen Task Forces. Rep George Latimer's new task forces include Jane Veron of TAP, who chairs the Jobs & Economy group, expanded to 9 members for its complex mandate.
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City & State NY 2024 Nonprofit Trailblazers
TAP CEO Jane Veron has been recognized by City & State New York as one of its 2024 Nonprofit Trailblazers, highlighting her leadership and the powerful impact TAP is making across New York communities.
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Beverly Hills Courier
Jane Veron received the Visionary Catalyst Prize at Visionary Women’s International Women’s Day Summit. The award recognizes leaders making meaningful change across industries and communities. Through TAP, Jane continues to empower entrepreneurs and drive lasting impact.
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Scarsdale10583
2024 Scarsdale Bowl Goes to Jane Veron. Jane Veron received the 2024 Scarsdale Bowl for decades of dedication. Her work strengthened local initiatives, downtown revitalization, & community-wide policies. As CEO of TAP, she empowers small businesses.
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Authority Magazine
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Jane Veron Is Helping To Change Our World. Authority Magazine spotlights Jane Veron for her role in building TAP into a powerhouse that empowers under-resourced small business owners. Her approach combines vision, grit, and hands-on strategies to expand equity and inclusion nationwide.
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USA Today
Fatherhood premium, motherhood penalty? USA Today features Jane Veron of TAP discussing how parenthood contributes to the gender wage gap. She highlights the challenges women entrepreneurs face and the importance of support systems.
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Scarsdale10583
Former Mayor Jane Veron Appointed to SBA Committee. Jane Veron has been appointed to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Investment Capital Advisory Committee. The 14-member panel will focus on expanding access to investment capital for small businesses and startups nationwide.
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Westchester Magazine: Resources for Entrepreneurs
Westchester Magazine highlights resources like Launch1000 and The Acceleration Project (TAP) that provide aspiring entrepreneurs in Westchester with mentorship, tools, and tailored guidance to launch, grow, and scale their small businesses.
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The Ethel AARP
Four Tips for a Brighter Future. AARP The Ethel highlights Jane Veron’s path from corporate life to community leadership and founding The Acceleration Project. Her story reflects the four stages of personal reinvention: Search, Struggle, Stop and Solution, offering inspiration for finding purpose in change.
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Finance Digest
How Banks Will Evolve to Help Small Business Owners. Discover how financial institutions can crack the code on partnerships with small business owners to improve their financial health and boost economic growth.
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Harvard Business School
HBS Alumni Clubs News. Three Alumni Clubs Celebrate Leadership, Community, and History over Dinner
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KatieCouric.com
Author Joanne Lipman Explains How to Turn Your Workplace Woes Into Your Next Big Transformation. In her conversation with Katie Couric, author Joanne Lipman discusses the transformative journey of Jane Veron, who left a corporate career to become a stay-at-home mom and later founded TAP.
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Fortune Magizine
The 4 Steps That Helped Ina Garten, a Former Mayor, and a Home Shopping Network Star Pull Off Transformational Career Pivots. Jane Veron’s transition from corporate life to founding The Acceleration Project is the model for reinvention.
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Westchester Magazine
Westchester’s Women in Business in 2022 Innovate and Inspire. As Westchester County continues to grow and adapt amid times of change, these inspiring women lead the way in the 914.
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Scarsdale10583
914INC. Honors 2022 Women in Business Award Recipients. Westchester Magazine’s Women in Business 2022 feature spotlights Jane Veron. She is recognized for advancing underrepresented small business owners, especially women and people of color, and for her leadership as mayor of Scarsdale.
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Westchester Magazine
Starting a Business in Westchester - Tips for Entrepreneurs. In Westchester, The Acceleration Project (TAP) stands out as a trusted partner for small business owners, offering hands-on consulting and expert guidance that help entrepreneurs strengthen their operations and achieve sustainable growth.
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USA Today
TAP Helps Small Businesses Emerge from COVID-19 Crisis. When COVID-19 brought small businesses to a halt, TAP stepped in with free consulting and emergency services. From negotiating rent cuts to navigating PPP loans, TAP has helped women and minority-owned businesses stay afloat.
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lohud.
Scarsdale Firm Helps Small Businesses Emerge from COVID-19 Crisis. When COVID-19 brought small businesses to a halt, TAP stepped in with free consulting and emergency services. From negotiating rent cuts to navigating PPP loans, TAP has helped women and minority-owned businesses stay afloat.
Elizabeth Gore, Co-Founder, Hello Alice
“When I spoke at The Acceleration Project event, I saw Jane Veron in full force. She is a skilled and dynamic speaker who lifts a room. Jane brings sharp insight, clear steps, and real heart. She inspires action and shows leaders why guidance matters as much as capital.”
Ready to Accelerate Your Impact?
From empowering small businesses to driving community change, collaboration is at the heart of everything Jane does. If you're ready to accelerate growth, explore partnership opportunities, or simply want to connect—let's start the conversation.