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Jeanan Yasiri Moe, Director of Strategic Communications
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Chancellor Blank, entrepreneur James Berbee and more explore how the university is rising to meet the moment
MADISON, Wis. – How do we address the challenges of the present moment, including the current pandemic and barriers to women and people of color in accessing the instruments of entrepreneurship and technology commercialization? Join us for a virtual discussion with leaders from the campus community at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, moderated by Aaron Olver, managing director of University Research Park.
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Olver says, “At University Research Park, we see innovators tackling society’s toughest challenges every day. It’s the Wisconsin Idea in action and it starts on campus with our great research university. I can’t wait to hear from our campus community’s top leadership on their vision for meeting this moment.”
The October 6 discussion will feature:
- Chancellor Rebecca Blank
- Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Steve Ackerman
- Interim Chief Diversity Officer Cheryl Gittens
- Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Administration Tracy Williams-Maclin
- WARF CEO Erik Iverson
- WARF Board of Trustees Chair James Berbee
This event, sponsored by WARF and D2P, is the kickoff for a semester of programming related to technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. Upcoming events include a discussion on the ethics and business case for commercializing COVID-19 inventions, a deep dive into Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, a look at software solutions and more.
“As we get ready to launch our fall programming for the innovation ecosystem anchored at UW-Madison, we are honored to be able to hear from the visionary leadership of the campus and WARF on how we can join forces to address the formidable challenges—and opportunities—confronting our organizations and on how rising to meet this moment can strengthen us going forward,” says Laura Heisler, WARF director of programming.
Andy Richards, director of D2P, says, “Entrepreneurs thrive on unprecedented circumstances. At D2P we work every day with visionary innovators who are navigating this moment and are committed to ensuring that our programs are more valuable, accessible and relevant than ever.”
These past several months have challenged the university in several ways. WARF and D2P, along with many partners on and off campus, are confronting these challenges and working to deepen the impact of our programs. Join us October 6 to discover how UW-Madison is rising to meet the moment and transforming its innovation ecosystem through inclusion, research and creativity.
About WARF
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) helps steward the cycle of research, discovery, commercialization and investment for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Founded in 1925 as an independent, nonprofit foundation, WARF manages more than 2,000 patents and an investment portfolio as it funds university research, obtains patents for campus discoveries and licenses inventions to industry. For more information, visit warf.org.
About D2P
Discovery to Product (D2P) is the front door to UW-Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, coordinating the Innovate Network to connect faculty, staff and students with the right resources at the right time. D2P’s Innovation and Commercialization Specialists provide mentorship, education and guidance to support UW-Madison’s growing community of entrepreneurs and inventors. For more information, visit d2p.wisc.edu and innovate.wisc.edu.
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