St. Thomas University is hosting Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), Nov. 16 – 19, with events, speakers and activities aimed to inspire and engage students and the community. Now in its seventh year, GEW at STU is strengthening the entrepreneurial and innovative culture of its students and local community by exposing them to new business trends, and successful, local entrepreneurs.
“We look forward to Global Entrepreneurship Week each year as a means of inspiring entrepreneurism, as well as celebrating and acknowledging the success of our students and local business leaders,” said STU President Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale. “We hope events like this will help further develop new opportunities for our students, and help us enhance the entrepreneurial efforts in Miami.”
GEW is the world’s largest celebration of those who invent products and create new companies and start-up businesses, in addition to those who use their business to create a social change. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.
STU has several events and panel discussions planned for aspiring entrepreneurs, some of which are open to the public.
Monday, Nov. 16
Opening Ceremony: 3 – 4 p.m., Goldbloom Convocation Hall
Keynote Speaker: Manny Medina, CEO of Medina Capital Partners and founder of eMerge Americas and Terremark. Medina will be speaking about the opportunities and threats of the data revolution.
Business Leaders Roundtable: 4 – 5:30 p.m., Goldbloom Convocation Hall
Dynamic corporate leaders representing critical industries in South Florida will discuss their professional journeys, and how they see their industries changing and evolving in the next five years. Panelists include: Fabrizio Alcobe-Fierro, senior vice president of Univision Networks; Jeanette Blanch, senior vice president, real estate department at Continental National Bank; and Sam Zietz, CEO of TouchSuite.
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Young Entrepreneurs Panel: 3 – 4:30 p.m., Goldbloom Convocation Hall
This group of under-40 entrepreneurs are changing how people live, think and play through innovative ideas and technology. Panelists include: Stephanie Diaz, founder and designer of Love Always by SD; Vincente Fernandez, co-president of SportsManias; Felice Gorordo, CEO of Clearpath and co-founder of Roots of Hope; and Calibe Thompson, author and television producer.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs: 7 – 9 p.m., Goldbloom Convocation Hall
Our distinguished panelists will share how they adapted to a completely new culture, and the barriers they overcame to become successful entrepreneurs in the United States. Panelists include: Aston Lue, co-founder of Ocho Rios International Foods; Amir Hagoo, trial attorney and counselor-at-law at Law Office of Amir Hagoo, P.A.; Alvaro De la Cruz, founder, Fox Webpages LLC; and Anastasiya Voronina, CEO, Private Investment Firm.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Women in Entrepreneurship Panel: 12:15 p.m., Bobcat Hall of Fame
This panel of trailblazing women is comprised of both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, in the areas of banking, professional sports, insurance, technology, and real estate. They are leaders in their fields, and running businesses on their own terms. Panelists include: Patricia Delinois, CEO of Premier Elite Realty; Rachel Sapoznik, CEO of Sapoznik Insurance and Associates, Inc.; Maria Hernandez, senior vice president of strategic development at Modernizing Medicine; Kim Stone, executive vice president of the Miami HEAT and general manager of American Airlines Arena; and Maria Arazoza, senior vice president of Merrill Lynch.
STU Shark Tank Competition: 2 p.m., Fernandez Family Center
First, second and third place winners receive cash prizes of $1,500, $700, and $500. In addition to the cash prizes, winning teams also receive coaching and one-on-one mentoring.
Thursday, Nov. 19 Closing Ceremony: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Goldbloom Convocation Hall
STU Shark Tank Competition winners announced.
