Anne Haines

Visionary · Founder · CEO · Champion of Human Potential

Anne Haines

From the Spark of an Idea to Enduring Impact, She's Built It. She Understands.

With over three decades of entrepreneurial leadership and hands-on experience, Anne Haines partners with leaders and organizations to inspire possibility, unlock potential, and deliver meaningful, lasting impact. A nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship, Anne was the Founding President & CEO of DreamSpring, a small business lending organization.

Let's Explore Working Together

About Anne

Anne Haines Has Traveled the Bumpy Road of Building Something Meaningful.

She has lived every stage of building something from the ground up - the early bets, the hard pivots, the moments of doubt, and the breakthroughs that reflect what's truly possible. That lived experience, and her genuine passion for helping people unlock what's possible within themselves, is what she brings to every conversation.

Under her leadership, DreamSpring's impact earned national and local recognition with honors from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration, a Best Places to Work designation, and a spot on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in the World list in 2022. Anne has been honored with Ethics in Business, Humanitarian, Impact, and Leadership awards.

She served for six years on the Board of the Denver Branch of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank and has served as a member of U.S. Bank's national Community Advisory Committee, the Aspen Institute's Microfinance Impact Collaborative, and the Board of the New Mexico Climate Investment Center.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Anne grew up in a small farming community in upstate New York. For over 30 years, she has called New Mexico home, where she raised her two daughters. She holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Willamette University.

After 31 years at the helm of DreamSpring, Anne retired from the organization in December 2025 to begin a new chapter in her entrepreneurial journey. She has since launched a consulting and facilitation practice and is learning to scuba dive.

How Anne Works With You

Every engagement starts with listening. What follows is built around you.

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Leadership Coaching

Every leader hits moments of doubt. Anne has been there too, and she brings that hard-won understanding to every conversation, helping you find clarity when it matters most.

1:1 Engagement

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Organizational Consulting

Whether you're scaling, pivoting, or finding your footing, Anne meets you where you are - and helps your team move forward together with confidence and purpose.

Teams & Organizations

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Board Advising

Anne has sat at both sides of the board table, as a CEO and as a board member herself. She brings that dual perspective to help boards strengthen their governance practices, build a genuine partnership with organizational leadership, and embrace their fundraising role with confidence and enthusiasm.

Boards & Governance

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Creative Spark Facilitation

Sometimes a team just needs the right space to think. Anne creates it - sessions designed to spark genuine creativity, surface fresh ideas, and leave everyone energized and aligned.

Workshops & Sessions

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Speaking

Anne speaks from experience, not from a script. Her talks are honest, human, and grounded in the real work of building - the kind that leaves audiences inspired to act.

Keynotes & Panels

A Book Born from the Journey

Grit and Growth

Candid Stories and Lessons for Building a Small Business with Purpose

Available May 12 in bookstores and online

What every entrepreneur needs to know about growing a business with purpose and resilience. From doubt and disappointment to passion, purpose, and resolve - all are on the path to starting and growing a successful small business. By Anne Haines, Laura Marrich, and Amber Kani.

Order a copy of the book at these locations:

📚 BookShop.org Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-A-Million Target Wiley.com

"Practical wisdom, but also a love letter to future entrepreneurs - a celebration of the human spirit and the will to strive, to risk, and to dream."

Thomas A. Gougeon - President, Gates Family Foundation

"A masterful account of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Read, learn, be equipped, and be inspired."

Dr. Brett Theodos - Director, Center for Local Finance and Growth, Urban Institute

"Destined to quickly become the go-to bible for present and future entrepreneurs. Priceless advice and counsel to anyone in the business world."

Ann Rhoades - President, Peopleink; Exec Founder, JetBlue Airlines

"An inspiring and practical guide that combines entrepreneurial wisdom with deeply human storytelling. An encouraging, insightful companion for anyone seeking to build or grow a business with intention and heart."

Joyce Klein - Director, Business Ownership Initiative, The Aspen Institute

"More than half of new small businesses in America don't make it for more than three years. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurship books are about the literally lucky few who succeed wildly, not the majority who have to deploy all their grit and more to grow. In this book, Anne, Amber, and Laura share the stories and lessons of entrepreneurs like you, not the lucky few. Even better, they have had to live those lessons themselves building one of the toughest businesses out there - a lender to entrepreneurs like themselves."

Timothy N. Ogden - Executive Partner, Sona Partners

🌱 A purchase that gives back. A portion of sales goes to support DreamSpring's work.

Let's Connect

Let's Start a Conversation.

Whether you're exploring a speaking engagement, a consulting partnership, or simply want to connect - Anne would love to hear from you. She reads every message personally and responds within 2–3 business days.

🎤 Speaking Engagements

Keynotes, panels, and conference appearances on entrepreneurship, microfinance, and leadership.

🤝 Consulting & Advisory

Strategic guidance for nonprofits, financial institutions, and mission-driven organizations.

📖 Book & Media Inquiries

Interviews, podcast appearances, and questions related to Grit and Growth.

💬 General Inquiries

Not sure which category fits? Just reach out - the right conversation will find its shape.