Entrepreneurship: Can entrepreneurs solve the world's biggest problems?

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Join us for a virtual Keynote Debate as industry experts discuss the potential for entrepreneurs to solve the world's biggest problems.

<h2>Entrepreneurship: Can entrepreneurs solve the world's biggest problems?</h2><p><em>Presented together with </em><a href="https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><em>Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>Entrepreneurship is a key part of our economic and social life in today's world. According to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, people have a favorable impression of entrepreneurship with 63% of Americans viewing it as a positive career choice. Around 31 million Americans, or 16% of the adult workforce, consider themselves to be entrepreneurs, and more than half have started a business, and over a quarter have started 2 or more! </p><p>Whether it is climate change, global health crises, or access to food and clean water, the world faces some monumental problems in the years ahead. With so many of us engaged in entrepreneurship and in developing startups, what role do entrepreneurs play in solving those problems? While prominent entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg have made their fortunes creating consumer goods and services in sectors such as leisure and transport, can entrepreneurs use their talents and skills to help tackle the most pressing global issues as well?</p><p>Please join us to debate this fascinating and topical issue, as our panel of experts seeks to answer the question: Can entrepreneurs solve the world's biggest problems?</p><p>Tune in for this virtual Keynote Debate to gain insight into varied perspectives on this fascinating and cutting-edge topic, right from your own home. Future Keynote Debates to be announced in the coming months.</p>

<h3>Featured Panelists</h3><h3>Jen Faigel</h3><p>Jen Faigel is a passionate advocate and activist for community economic development work that leads to asset building, wealth creation, and meaningful investment in low-income communities. Jen is co-founder and Executive Director of CommonWealth Kitchen, Boston’s only non-profit food business incubator and food manufacturing social enterprise. CommonWealth Kitchen (CWK) provides kitchen space and business support to 55+ entrepreneurs 75% of whom are women, people of color, or immigrants, that employ over 160 local residents.</p><p>Jen has a deep background in real estate and community economic development. She was the lead real estate consultant for the $15 million Pearl project, which is now home to CWK’s flagship kitchen operation. In her career, Jen has developed over 500 affordable homes and more than 225,000 SF of commercial real estate—worth over $200M—as a driver of job creation and economic opportunity.  In 2015, CommonWealth Kitchen was named “Best Incubator” by Boston Magazine, and a “Game-Changer” by The Boston Globe. Jen was recognized by The Boston Globe as one of nine nonprofit leaders to watch, BostInno named her as one of its “50 on Fire,” and The Wallace Center honored Jen as one of eight Regional Food Economies Fellows in its National Food Systems Leadership Network. Jen was selected as a 2019 Barr Fellow by the Barr Foundation in recognition of her leadership at CWK and within the Greater Boston community. Most recently, she was recognized as one of Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 leaders in the city.</p><h3>Doug Hirsch</h3><p>Douglas Hirsch is co-founder of GoodRx and has served as a Chief Executive Officer and as a member of GoodRx's board of directors since its founding in September 2011. Since January 2015, Mr. Hirsch has served as Co-Chief Executive Officer at GoodRx. Previously, Mr. Hirsch served as Chief Executive Officer at DailyStrength, Inc., a healthcare-focused social network centered on support groups, from March 2005 to November 2008, and previously held senior roles at Facebook, Inc., and Yahoo! Inc. Mr. Hirsch holds a B.A. in Political Science from Tufts University.</p><h3>V﻿alencia Koomson, Ph.D.</h3><p>Valencia Koomson is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts School of Engineering. Prior to joining Tufts, she held an appointment as a VLSI research engineer at the University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute (USC/ISI), where she performed research on the design of radiation-hardened analog/mixed signal VLSI systems in CMOS for military and space applications. Koomson is a former Marshall Scholar, Intel Foundation Scholar, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, and recipient of the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award.</p><p>Valencia Koomson's research interests include the design of silicon-based mixed-mode VLSI systems (analog, digital, RF, optical), analog signal processing, and optoelectronic system-on-chip modeling and integration for applications in optical wireless communication and biomedical imaging.</p><h3>M﻿ark Martin</h3><p>Mark Martin is General Partner of Cybernetix Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm leading the way for investment into early-stage robotics, automation, and AI startups. Cybernetix connects its portfolio to the national and global robotics ecosystems, bringing unparalleled expertise to companies poised to make major impacts in sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics/warehousing, architecture, engineering and construction and healthcare/medical devices. The fund will also invest in key robotics-enabling software companies in AI/machine learning, cloud robotics, cybersecurity, autonomy and sensors/edge computing. </p><p>Mark is a former VP of Analog Devices most recently leading the Industrial Automation, Sensors, and IoT division where he ran a $1B+ business, led multiple acquisitions, led strategic investments, and scaled new business ventures. Mark has 25+ years of executive tech leadership spanning industrial, healthcare, automotive, and consumer industries.  Mark is an experienced investor, board member, advisor, and tech executive. Mark has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and an MS in Engineering Management from Tufts University’s Gordon Institute. He is also a recipient of the Tufts Outstanding Career Achievement award. </p><p>In his spare time Mark enjoys traveling, golf, and spending time with his family on Cape Cod. </p><h3>S﻿ue Siegel</h3><p>Sue Siegel has driven game-changing ideas and powered companies that advance industries and improve lives for more than three decades. As GE’s Chief Innovation Officer and CEO of GE Ventures for seven years, Siegel oversaw investment in startups, creating and scaling new companies, and commercializing GE’s intellectual property. She also led strategic planning and oversaw the global marketing function.</p><p>Before joining GE, Siegel was a General Partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures, where she spearheaded investments in personalized medicine, digital health and life sciences. Prior to becoming a venture capitalist, Siegel led Affymetrix as President and a board member. She also held executive leadership roles at Bio-Rad, DuPont and Amersham after transitioning to a corporate career from early work in molecular biology and biochemistry. Siegel has served on many corporate and non-profit boards and has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley.” Siegel lives in Silicon Valley with her husband and her two sons.</p><p><em>Additional panelists to be announced in the coming weeks.</em></p>

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