“Lessons from Twenty Five Years Training Aspiring Entrepreneurs: From the Classroom to the Boardroom”

Dr. Jack and Kavita will be meeting the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) at Hyatt for evening tea at Hyatt 7pm.

Dr. McGourty plans to present lessons learned from teaching and developing entrepreneurs from all levels of experience, from high school students to seasoned corporate executives working on new venture creation. He will focus on some of the largest mistakes made by aspiring entrepreneurs followed by critical knowledge and skill areas that should be addressed in any educational and training program. He firmly believes that entrepreneurship can be taught and will discuss how the majority of the required competencies are cognitive and behavioural in nature.

Key Points:

• Entrepreneurship is not genetic, it can be taught
• Core knowledge and behavioural assets that can be developed
• Following a prescribed venture development process is important to long-term success

Dr. Jack McGourty is an Associate Dean at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University. As Associate Dean, Jack is responsible for the academics, research, and advising for the first and second year students. He is the lead instructor for the Gateway Lab design course required for all first year engineering and applied science students. He advises students in their academic goals, major and minor selection, and various research and internship opportunities. Additionally, Jack is responsible for all assessment, evaluation, and accreditation activities for the School.

Kavita Singh, the CEO of FutureWorks, has been involved in the admissions process and career consulting services since 2003 – from interviewing applicants for Columbia Business School to being an MBA admissions consultant helping applicants get into leading MBA programs. She is a Columbia Business School Ambassador and an Alumni Adviser (coaching MBA students through the program).