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About

 

For nearly two centuries, Spartans have ventured to feed a hungry world, fight cancer, invent new technologies, and kindle the imaginations of learners around the globe. Here, we don't just dream about tomorrow's solutions: We create. We venture.

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation empowers students to learn through action by providing programs, courses, and resources to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and create new ventures. Our program is designed to prime students to embrace failure mindfully, explore unknowns, and develop skills that set them apart in the job market.

So, come artists and engineers, biologists and physicists, changemakers and activists, makers and marketers. No matter the area of study. No matter the discipline or college. All your venture requires is the courage to take the first step.

What's your venture?

Meet the Team

The Burgess Institute’s team is comprised of passionate, dedicated experts, many of whom have started their own companies, advised startups, or have worked extensively with students to help them achieve success. Whether you need help with academic advising or you’re looking to connect with alumni mentors, here, you’ll be able to find out more about each staffer and connect with them on their professional channels.

STAFF

Laurel Ofstein

Faculty Director

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Christopher Sell

Associate Director of Development

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Paul Jaques

Managing Director, Venture Creation

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Lori Fischer

Director of Operations

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Ken Szymusiak

Managing Director, Academic Programs

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Sean Fochtman

Director of Alumni Venture Support

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Angela Martin

Senior Fiscal Officer & HR Manager

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Aubrey Haase

Events & Engagement Manager

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Leigh Anne Jewison

Office Manager

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Lillian Brooks

Academic Advisor

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ENTREPRENEURS-IN-RESIDENCE

Colby Cartledge

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Todd Dunn

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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John Hill

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Robin Kinnie

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Reuben Levinsohn

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Jillian Lorenz

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Pete Martin

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Steve Parkis

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Jack Peurach

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Brandon Pollak

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2022-2024

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Amy Smith

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Kyle Welch

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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Hal Widlansky

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

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INTERNS

Diego Fernandez

Sr. Marketing, Creative Strategy, & Comms Assistant

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Annie Gillespie

Event Planning Intern

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Clare Hampel

Sr. Marketing and Communications Assistant

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Harshil Jain

Discovery Intern

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Alison Jones

Event Planning Intern

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Chloe Katz

Student-Made Marketing Intern

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Linda Komis

Student-Made Community Engagement Intern

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Mutunga Mukeku

UX & Graphic Design Intern

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Christian Nderu

Discovery Graphic Designer

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Yuktha Pulavarthi

Venture Kitchen Intern

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Estella Riahi

Legal Intern

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Udbhav Saxena

App & Web Developer

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Mikayla Slavin

Discovery Graphic Designer

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Tanushree Thapar

Schaberg Entrepreneurship Scholars Intern

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Abbie Townley

Discovery Photographer

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Michael Umanskiy

App & Web Developer

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