By Aubrey Haase
The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Michigan State University has announced its Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIR) for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Across entrepreneurship programs, the Burgess Institute — recognized as a national leader in entrepreneurship education by the Princeton Review — empowers students to learn through action by providing programs, courses and resources designed to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset and develop skills essential to success in an ever-changing market.
The Burgess Institute’s venture creation program is open to all MSU students, advancing their venture ideas through the Discovery and Launch programs. Discovery allows students to build a business plan through researching, testing, and strategic planning. Once student teams reach their tailored milestones within Discovery and are ready to take their company to market, they can apply for admission into Launch. The application process requires student venturers to pitch their startups to Burgess Institute EIRs, who, together with program advisors, decide if teams are ready to move forward.
As a member of the Burgess Institute’s Launch venture creation program, students receive access to tailored services, funding opportunities and a network of knowledgeable and experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence who serve as mentors and coaches.
Appointed by the Institute for a two-year term, EIRs were chosen based on their respective industries, professional accomplishments, geographic connectivity, and emerging or continued interest in supporting entrepreneurship education at MSU and bring with them expertise, insights, and a network that will fuel student success and assist them in bringing to life go-to-market strategies. Providing mentorship and encouraging professional networking, EIRs are chosen based on their expertise and deep connections within their respective industries. At the start of the semester, each EIR is matched with multiple student founders who have been accepted into the Launch venture creation program. Each EIR is empowered to work with their assigned students across the academic year, helping them build their ventures toward market readiness.
Meet the 2024 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
- Sanjay Baskaran (M.B.A. Marketing and Supply Chain Management, ‘99) is a data, tech & info services advisor/OP to one of the leading private equity companies Advent International helping them with deal flow, diligence, and value creation plans. His focus is on innovative & transformative business models to drive exponential growth using strategy & tech such as AI, ML, blockchain & others. Sanjay was CEO & turned around One Technologies where he oversaw investments in digital transformation and refactoring to catch up to competitors. He cut customer servicing costs by a third and variable costs by a fifth using tech & data. As President of TaxAct at Blucora, he grew annualized revenues 34% over two years by deploying a customer centric digitally transformative strategy. Smart tech deployment enabled the business to grow margins while making large investments. As GM of Amazon Cards he led the launch of the prestigious & highly profitable Amazon Prime Card & initiated the Amazon Business card. These programs were industry leading in the deal economics and use of ML & AI to drive new customer & portfolio growth 5x peers. He was head of analytics at Visa N. America serving banks, credit unions, retailers, airlines, hotels etc. Prior to that he held leadership positions in Marketing, Risk, & Operations at HSBC Globally. Sanjay holds a MBA in marketing and supply chain from Michigan State University and BS in chemical engineering from Osmania University.
- Colby Cartledge (M.S. Management, Strategy, and Leadership, ‘16) is a Lead Growth Manager for Enterprise Growth Initiatives at Target. She leads multi-disciplinary teams to identify new business opportunities, ideate, and experiment with them, driving adjacent growth for Target. Over the past 5 years, Colby has worked closely with the Target Accelerators team as both a selection panelist and mentor. Before entering Strategy and Innovation, she worked in Supply Chain in both field and headquarters roles before transitioning into Theft and Fraud, where she developed new ways to identify behaviors in real time through innovative data approaches.
- Josh Cooper (B.A. Advertising Management, ‘21) launched his first software company while still a freshman, working from the dorms of McDonel Hall. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Josh has been harnessing innovative technology to create meaningful change. His ultimate aspiration is to work on technologies that pave the way for humanity to become a multi-planetary species, including establishing a base on the Moon and a self-sustaining colony on Mars.
- Danielle Diliberti (B.A. Accounting and Information Systems, ‘06) is a dynamic entrepreneur and experienced executive. She currently serves as Co-founder and CEO of Sommsation, a premier wine experience and concierge platform. Before launching Sommsation, Danielle was Senior Director at Eldridge Industries, where she focused on technology-first companies and strategic investments. During her tenure at Eldridge, she also served as Chief Technology Officer at The St. James, a prominent sports and wellness complex. Prior to her role at Eldridge, Danielle was a Management Consulting Director at KPMG in the US Banking & Capital Markets Group, advising leading financial institutions. She also held the position of Vice President of Risk and Portfolio Management at Guggenheim Partners. Danielle’s career began at Deloitte, where she worked in the Financial Services Group. In addition to her professional achievements, Danielle has contributed to academia as an adjunct professor, teaching Corporate Finance and Managerial Accounting at both UCLA and Santa Monica College. She holds a B.A. in Accounting and Information Systems from Michigan State University and an M.S. in Accounting and Financial Reporting from MSU's Broad Graduate School of Management. Danielle is a licensed (inactive) CPA and is now sharing her entrepreneurial and leadership experience through MSU’s Entrepreneur in Residence Program.
- Todd Dunn (M.B.A. Business Administration, ‘99) is a trailblazer in the business world. Dunn lives and breathes innovation, aiming to make it as fundamental as finance in any organization. His passion for transformation isn't just talk — he believes it's deployed through educational initiatives, hands-on projects, and empowering people to unleash their potential. An expert in Business Model Transformation, Dunn is a go-to startup advisor and board member. Frequently tapped to speak and consult, his insights on transformation and innovation systems are invaluable to industry professionals. A focus on impact and systematic change drives Dunn’s pragmatic approach to leadership. He’s not just teaching innovation; he’s actively practicing it as a Lean Startup practitioner and an NSF I-Corp instructor.
- John Hill (B.A. Journalism, ‘97) traded one passion for another which led me to leave Michigan State University to become the Higher Education Evangelist at LinkedIn. Did it again moving from LinkedIn to become the Network Catalyst then VP of Network and then Evangelist for Techstars. In 2024, joined Whop as VP Story to make sustainable income available to everyone via the Internet. I have a thing for cool job titles. I also believe "changing the world" can be more than hyperbole. Building relationships and connecting people with opportunity are at my core. I rely heavily on online and offline networks to facilitate each. I am young, smart and global at heart, MSU by passion and driven by nature.
- Robin Kinnie (B.A. Human Resources Management, ‘00) is the President of Motor City Woman Studios, an audio post-production company, and runs Audio Engineers of Detroit, a trade school and recording studio. She's deeply involved in community service, advising for arts and sports organizations, like Y Arts and Detroit PAL. Kinnie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices in podcasting and broadcasting, Robin has penned useful guides for new podcasters. She holds degrees from Michigan State University in Human Resources Management and adult education. She’s won multiple accolades, including being named a ‘Top 25 Women Leading In Detroit’ by Walker’s Legacy and a ‘Diversity Business Leader’ by Corp! Magazine. Recently, she was honored by the Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence for her achievements in business, community service, and philanthropy.
- Reuben Levinsohn (Business, ‘94-‘97) has been an avid entrepreneur since his early 20s. He started his first business while attending MSU in 1995. He had his first exit at age 30 and then pursued his passion for helping other entrepreneurs make smart life and wealth choices as a registered financial advisor and founding partner of Washington Avenue Advisors. Reuben is an angel investor, advisor, and mentor to startup companies and founders. He and his partners founded Washington Avenue Ventures, focusing on investing, consulting, and partnering with early- and growth-stage companies looking to scale or exit. Levinsohn has also been deeply involved in local community and real estate development. He enjoys authentically curated adventures with his family, friends, and his new podcast, Flying with Founders.
- Jillian Lorenz (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ‘00) is a dedicated entrepreneur passionate about personal and professional growth. She co-founded, expanded, and successfully sold an eight-figure fitness franchise, culminating in the establishment of the largest women-owned boutique fitness brands in the World. With 20 years of expertise, she's pioneered body positivity and self-improvement trends, guiding thousands to healthier lives. Her wellness programs are accredited by NASM and AFAA. Her expertise spans movement, meditation, and breathwork, all of which led their work to be featured in publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, WSJ, Vogue, Self and more. Jillian is now a Keynote Speaker, Retreat Facilitator and Business Coach.
- Pete Martin (B.A. Hospitality Business, ‘09) is a dedicated tech veteran, having spent over a decade in the industry, most recently as co-founder of B2B Saas Tech company ALTR. After moving back home to Michigan, Martin was inspired by the state's burgeoning yet underrated startup activity and is committed to boosting recognition of the great companies being built here. His expertise extends to scaling engineering teams, developing precise positioning and messaging, devising effective pricing strategies, and transitioning companies from sales-led to product-led growth. He highly values cultivating a positive culture and keenly understands go-to-market strategies.
- Sunny Nadolsky (PhD Human Resource Management, Organizational Strategy, Behavior, Marketing) is a nationally known award-winning innovator and investor in education technology and digital health. She is a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple companies from ideation to successful exits. She is also a venture partner in sentiero.vc which specializes in AI technology companies. Sunny is currently the Founder and CEO of BridgeCare Technologies (an education technology company providing AI-powered On-demand solutions that help students achieve mental wellness and academic success by partnering with schools: url: https://www.bridgecare.ai/). She specializes in education technologies and digital health with over 20 years of corporate leadership, executive experiences, and extensive network. One of her award-winning innovations through MediBookr (http://medibookr.com/) pioneered the healthcare transparency movement which transformed the way providers and payers provide access to patients in the United States. MediBookr was acquired by Catalyst Health Group in 2022. Sunny also serves on the advisory boards of multiple schools and innovation accelerators (Purdue university, UT Southwestern, Michigan State University, Arizona State University, and Health Wildcatters, Matter, etc.). Her deep expertise and extensive experience as a successful entrepreneur, and her keen insights in digital health and education technologies makes her one of the best speakers and panelists to conferences. She frequently serves as a judge to pitch competitions held in UT Southwestern, Health Wildcatters, MedVentures, SMU, WISH, Texas Healthcare Challenge. She also mentors and invests in startups.
- Steve Parkis (B.A. Financial Administration, ‘92) is a tech leader who has made waves from Silicon Valley to LA, helming roles at industry giants like Microsoft, Zynga, and Disney. His portfolio boasts blockbuster products like Farmville, Xbox, and Club Penguin. With experience in high-stakes business deals, including company sales and IPOs, Steve knows how to create disruptive technology and drive market innovation. He's the force behind JoyfulMagic and collaborates with Embarc Collective, a startup incubator in Tampa founded by Jeff Vinik. Parkis currently lives in Orlando and is a startup advisor and angel investor. Steve holds a Finance degree from Michigan State and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.
- Ryan Perry (B.A. Supply Chain Management & International Business, ‘08) is an accomplished leader in the spirits industry and the CEO and Co-Founder of Silent Spirits, a company dedicated to creating premium spirit brands and offering strategic solutions for product development and production management. Silent Spirits excels in crafting innovative beverage concepts, sourcing high-end bulk spirits, and overseeing full-scale production processes. With over a decade of experience, Perry previously served as the Master Blender for Heaven's Door, a renowned whiskey brand co-created with Bob Dylan. During his tenure, he was responsible for developing unique whiskey blends that earned critical acclaim, leveraging his expertise from his earlier work at Diageo, one of the world’s largest beverage companies. Perry's business acumen is underpinned by his academic background, having earned a degree in Supply Chain Management and International Business from Michigan State University in 2008. His education has played a pivotal role in shaping his strategic approach to logistics, global operations, and innovative product development. Under his leadership, Silent Spirits continues to thrive as a value-driven company, collaborating with partners to bring unique spirit brands to market while maintaining a commitment to excellence and entrepreneurship.
- Jack Peurach (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ‘87) started his engineering journey at Berkeley Process Control in 1990, eventually heading their engineering team. He transitioned into management consulting at Mercer, helping tech firms plan for growth. In 2004, Peurach took a leap into the green energy sector, joining PowerLight as VP of Products. When PowerLight merged with SunPower in 2007, it quickly became a global name in solar energy, and Jack rose to be the Executive VP. Simultaneously, he co-founded Ekso Bionics, a pioneering firm in wearable exoskeletons. In 2018, he became Ekso's CEO, holding that role until 2022. Jack is a triple threat academically: he has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State, an M.S. in the same field from UC Berkeley, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton Business School.
- Brandon Pollak (B.S. Political Science, ‘02) is a senior principal at Cityfi, a business advisory and government affairs firm. He possesses twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor, startup executive, and political strategist crafting creative public policy solutions to open emerging sectors and scale high-growth businesses. With a passion for ecosystem building, Brandon co-founded DC-based startup incubator and venture fund 1776, a global hub designed for companies tackling major challenges in highly regulated sectors. Brandon serves as an advisor, convener, and connector between governments, institutions, startups, and key stakeholders on bolstering the innovation economy.
- Jonathan Schimmel (B.S. Biology, ‘91) is President and CEO of S2 Genomics, a single cell genomics sample prep automation company, and the managing partner of Macatawa Capital, a biotech tools and molecular diagnostics focused family office. Jonathan is also a member of Life Science Angels, a Palo Alto based angel investment group, a member of Berkley SkyDeck Advisors, and on the advisory board for Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Previously, Jonathan was VP of Global Support and Sales Operations for 10x Genomics. In this role he was a foundational commercial leader, providing executive leadership in many aspects of 10x’s commercial operations. Jonathan was directly responsible for creating the support strategy and global support organization, including global Order Management. Additionally, Jonathan was responsible for creating the initial Asia Pacific distributor strategy and subsequent leadership of the team. Prior to 10x Genomics, Jonathan was President of Seegene Technologies, responsible for leading the commercialization of Seegene’s innovative Multiplex PCR technologies in the US market. Earlier, Jonathan held multiple senior level roles with Bio-Rad Laboratories, including Manager of Customer Operations (Order Management, Technical Support and Service), Manager of Group Marketing (Marketing Operations), finally culminating as the Vice-President and General Manager of the Gene Expression Division. In his time at Bio-Rad, Jonathan provided strategic direction for product concept, development and launch, global strategic marketing direction, and direct accountability for the R&D and marketing budgets. The product areas within his division included: PCR, Real Time PCR (hardware and reagents), Digital PCR Marketing and Commercialization in partnership with the acquired team from QuantaLife, DNA Electrophoresis, DNA Transfection, Cell Counting, Imaging, and Cell Sorting. Jonathan holds a BS in Biology from Michigan State University and a PhD in Molecular Biology from Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
- Amy Smith (B.S. Kinesiology and Exercise Science, ‘97) is Indeed's Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Transformation and Operations. She is responsible for investment management and talent development of the SMB product, technology, and engineering organization. Previously Amy served as the SVP of Product & Partnerships at Techstars, where she was responsible for the evolution of product service offerings for founders and partners. Before joining Techstars, Amy led product management at ZOLL Data Systems. She led a team of product professionals to deliver end-to-end integrated solutions to streamline and modernize the EMS and Fire first responder and back-office workflows through telemedicine, mobile, and enterprise data management solutions.
- Kathryn Stewart (B.S. Electrical Engineering, ‘80) is the founder and managing partner of Cranbrook Capital. The firm manages investments in Private and Public Equity with a focus on Technology and also provides seed and early-stage capital to emerging tech focused companies. Notable investments and exits include HomeSnap (CoStar), Canvas (K1 Capital), FanDuel (Flutter), Huntress and Passive Capital Management, a Baltimore based investment firm where she is a board member. Stewart has a keen interest in supporting university based entrepreneurs. She was a 2024 judge for Burgess New Venture Challenge, the premier pitch competition for student entrepreneurs and innovators at MSU. Stewart is a board member of the Venture Lab Advisory Board at the University of Pennsylvania. She also serves on the Robert H. Smith School of Business Advisory Board, the Dingman Board of Advisors and the Discovery Fund Advisory Board at the University of Maryland. She is also on the boards of Georgetown Preparatory School and Washington Episcopal School. In May of 2023, Stewart was elected to the MSU Research Foundation’s Board of Directors. Previously, Kathryn was a Managing Director at Baltimore based Alex. Brown and post- acquisition, at Deutsche Bank in Institutional Equity Sales. She was the Co-Head of the Baltimore based region and managed sales teams for product distribution in New York, the Mid Atlantic and the Midwest. Transactions included initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, convertibles and private placements. She implemented the Firm’s growth strategy through participation in its Equity Review Committee and was chairman of the Deal Marketing Committee, preparing management teams for initial public offerings. Preceding Alex Brown, Stewart was an electrical engineer for San Francisco based Chevron in its telecommunications division. Stewart holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the MSU College of Engineering. In May of 2024, she was the recipient of MSU’s John D. Ryder Electrical and Computer Engineering Alumni Award. She enjoys watching MSU athletics, spending time with her family and golfing.
- Kyle Welch (B.A. Hospitality Business, ‘09) is the co-founder and CEO of Chicago Scoops. Scoops owns and operates 50+ Cold Stone Creamery locations across 15 states. Prior, Welch served as Operating Partner of Chicago Caesars, a multi-unit Little Caesars franchise group and as CEO of Epic Burger, leading the brand to be named in the 40/40 List for 2020: America's hottest startup fast casuals. Mr. Welch began his professional career at Sizzling Platter, a multi-concept restaurant management company, as the lean champion, leading process improvement, market acquisition and new store openings. Welch holds a degree in hospitality business from Michigan State University. Kyle currently serves on the auxiliary board for College Possible Chicago, as a mentor at the Food Foundry Chicago and as a founding board member of Prosper Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to erasing food insecurity in Chicago. In 2020, he was recognized as a member of Crain's Chicago 40 under 40, and in 2021, was awarded the Young Alumni Grand Award from Michigan State University.
- Hal Widlansky (B.A. Telecommunication, ‘92) is a General Partner at the V42 Studio Fund, an experienced executive, and an “Adventure Capitalist” at heart. He loves finding himself at the crossroads of media and technology, where he strives to blaze new trails. His 20+ year career has spanned broadcast and digital media, e-commerce, travel technology, and healthcare. Hal attended Michigan State University for entirely too long, completing a BA degree in Telecommunications, a Master of Arts program in Media and Information, and also squeezing in time to attend the school’s College of Osteopathic medicine for a couple of years. He still bleeds green.
More information about the EIR program, including the 2024-2025 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence is available via the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.