Skip navigation links

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

Lillian Brooks

Academic Advisor

Learn More

Lori Fischer

Director of Operations

Learn More

Sean Fochtman

Director of Alumni Venture Support

Learn More

Aubrey Haase

Events & Engagement Manager

Learn More

Paul Jaques

Managing Director, Venture Creation

Learn More

Leigh Anne Jewison

Office Manager

Learn More

Angela Martin

Senior Fiscal Officer & HR Manager

Learn More

Desireé Melfi Bozzo

Director, Student Success & Advising

Learn More

Laurel Ofstein

Faculty Director

Learn More

Christopher Sell

Associate Director of Development

Learn More

Ken Szymusiak

Managing Director, Academic Programs

Learn More

STAFF

Danielle Tice

Marketing & Communications Professional Aide

LinkedIn

ENTREPRENEURS-IN-RESIDENCE

Colby Cartledge

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Todd Dunn

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

John Hill

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Robin Kinnie

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Reuben Levinsohn

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Jillian Lorenz

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Pete Martin

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Steve Parkis

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Jack Peurach

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

James Pita

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2021-2023

Learn More

Brandon Pollak

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2022-2024

Learn More

Sheela Sethuraman

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Amy Smith

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Jun Wang

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Kyle Welch

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Learn More

Hal Widlansky

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, 2023-2025

Hal-Widlansky

INTERNS

Jack Bajcz

3D Printing Intern

LinkedIn

Parker Beavens

Marketing & Communications Assistant

LinkedIn

Rajmeet Singh Chandok

App & Web Developer

LinkedIn

Diego Fernandez

Sr. Marketing, Creative Strategy, & Comms Assistant

Linkedin

Annie Gillespie

Event Planning Intern

LinkedIn

Clare Hampel

Sr. Marketing and Communications Assistant

LinkedIn

Harshil Jain

Discovery Intern

LinkedIn

Alison Jones

Event Planning Intern

LinkedIn

Chloe Katz

Student-Made Marketing Intern

LinkedIn

Linda Komis

Student-Made Community Engagement Intern

LinkedIn

Mutunga Mukeku

UX & Graphic Design Intern

LinkedIn

Christian Nderu

Discovery Graphic Designer

LinkedIn

Yuktha Pulavarthi

Venture Kitchen Intern

LinkedIn

Estella Riahi

Legal Intern

LinkedIn

Udbhav Saxena

App & Web Developer

LinkedIn

Mikayla Slavin

Discovery Graphic Designer

LinkedIn

Tanushree Thapar

Schaberg Entrepreneurship Scholars Intern

LinkedIn

Abbie Townley

Discovery Photographer

LinkedIn

Michael Umanskiy

App & Web Developer

LinkedIn