Marymount University launches new initiative to promote intrapreneurship

The School of Business and Technology (SBT) at Marymount University announced the launch of its new intrapreneurship initiative to address the region’s talent gap.

We are proud to announce the launch of the Marymount Intrapreneurship Initiative, a program that teaches students how to use entrepreneurial skills to solve problems and create new opportunities in existing organizations #LearnWithPurpose https://t.co/cifeM86FU8 pic.twitter.com/9cRNe2hx7E

— Marymount University (@marymountu) September 18, 2019

Through this initiative, the Arlington, Virginia-based Catholic university is trying to address the shortage of students who graduate without entrepreneurial skills. The Marymount Intrapreneurship Initiative was started to tap into “students who often feel left out from entrepreneurship programs because they want to use their entrepreneurial spirit and skills in existing organizations, rather than start their own,” per a press release.

(Need an intrapreneurship explainer? Start here.)

“Substantially all successful businesses are started by individuals who gained prior experience by using entrepreneurial skills to make their employers more successful,” said SBT Dean Jonathan Aberman, who launched the initiative, in a statement. “Our region has grown through intrapreneurship, but it needs more graduates ready to hit the ground running.”

The initiative will focus on incorporating concepts into the SBT curriculum related to intrapreneurial skills, promoting intrapreneurship with community events, executive and leadership skill development and economic research and reports on how entrepreneurial behavior and intrapreneurship affect economic growth.

“Employers need a full pipeline of capable, visionary and technology-savvy talent that are ready and able to lead change and promote growth. We are looking forward to contributing our collective talents towards this challenge,” Aberman said.

Along with Aberman’s leadership, the initiative brought on an initial advisory board of 11 business intrapreneurs. This group will offer their expertise during the program.

The Marymount Intrapreneurship Initiative advisory board includes:

• Michael Avon from ICX Media
• Ed Barrientos from Brazen Technologies
• Ben Foster from GoCanvas
• Terry Hsiao from Kaleyra
• Harry Klaff from JLL
• Gene Reichers from Sands Capital
• Elizabeth Shea from REQ
• Steve Trax from MAI Capital
• Mary Tucker from UPIC Health
• Mark Walsh from Ruxton Ventures
• Cheryl Williford from Modus Create