Women to Watch: Crinda Francke, President of ExecuTrain, Now SBA Award Winner

WBC of Kentucky
Oct 10
2 min read

Some business leaders rise quietly by lifting others.

Crinda Francke is one of them.

As President of ExecuTrain, she saw something in the company that others had overlooked: room to grow not just a brand, but the people behind it. She stepped into the role with a clear sense of what could be—and built a mission around professional development that transforms individuals, teams, and entire organizations.

“I saw untapped potential in the company to make a much greater impact on people’s lives than it was currently achieving,” Crinda said. “There was a specific moment when I realized that, with the right vision and leadership, ExecuTrain could evolve from a traditional training provider into a transformative force in professional development.”

And that’s exactly what she’s done.

Under Crinda’s leadership, ExecuTrain has become a growing national leader in customized training, from technical upskilling to executive coaching. She's cultivated a company culture where development is the foundational pillar for success.

ExecuTrain’s connection to the Women’s Business Center began when members of Crinda’s team began attending Strong Women, Strong Coffee events across Kentucky. Their participation sparked new conversations, fresh ideas, and deeper engagement with our network.

Crinda herself has since become a valued peer and leader in the WBC community, serving as a guest judge for our Emerging Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition and championing the kind of growth that starts with people.

Earlier this year, we were proud to nominate Crinda for the 2025 Small Businessperson of the Year in Kentucky, one of the highest recognitions from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

These awards honor business owners who demonstrate measurable success, community impact, and a bold vision for the future.

“There have been some incredible milestones—being nationally recognized by the SBA was surreal and deeply humbling—but the moment that truly stopped me in my tracks was reading essays my children wrote naming me as their role model. It reminded me that beyond the goals, growth, and long hours, the example I set everyday matters.”

We’re honored to walk alongside leaders like her—and to support the teams, communities, and next generation of entrepreneurs they inspire.

2026 Nominations are open: Kentucky District Office Awards | U.S. Small Business Administration

Who do you think should be the next winner of the Small Businessperson of the Year in Kentucky?

We invite you to learn more about ExecuTrain: executrain.com 📲 Follow: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube 💼