Director of Outreach and Engagement
Lori Fischer is passionate about creating connections and opportunities that help students explore entrepreneurship, build meaningful relationships, and turn ideas into action. She has worked with Michigan State University entrepreneurs since 2012 and helped shape the university’s entrepreneurial programming from its early days. Today, as Director of Strategic Partnerships & Programs at the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Lori develops strategic partnerships and programs that connect students with mentors, entrepreneurs, alumni, industry leaders, and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Lori works across campus and throughout Michigan to create experiences that expand students’ networks, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, and support them at every stage of their journey. She is especially passionate about making entrepreneurship accessible to students from all disciplines and backgrounds and creating opportunities for Spartans to learn by doing.
Her experience as a small business owner, Techstars Startup Weekend facilitator, mentor, advisor, and higher education professional gives Lori a practical and relationship-driven perspective on entrepreneurship. She believes that strong partnerships are built through authentic connections -and that when diverse people come together, new ideas, opportunities, and possibilities emerge.