Françoise Lepage Center for Global Innovation
entrepreneurial invention. multigenerational hope
Previous Events
ROOTS OF INNOVATIONS 2025
Roots of Innovation 2025: Local First Entrepreneurship was a day-long innovation fair that brought together students, faculty, innovators, and relational technologists from around the world to explore how innovation can begin and remain grounded in community. The event centered on local-first entrepreneurship as a transnational practice of developing technologies and enterprises that grow out of — and remain accountable to — the specific needs, relationships, and resources of singular places and people. Local-first entrepreneurs design first for situated connection. They scale their impact by co-creating tools and ventures that strengthen local capacity, resilience, and networks of care.
Throughout the day, students from near and far shared their local-first entrepreneurial projects, relational technologists demonstrated their tools and experiments, and participants connected to reimagine innovation as the work of enlivening local communities.
SPEAKERS
RELATIONAL TECH
Glenn Poppe
This presentation explores the concept of Local‑First Entrepreneurship and introduces Oaklog, a community‑driven digital tool designed for the Oakland Bay Area.
Local‑First Entrepreneurship
Humphrey Obuobi
"The Flyer" is a North Oakland initiative sharing local stories, events, and resources through public displays, printed media, and a website.
The Flyer
Jared Joiner
This presentation introduces JOINERS, a civic design studio based in Oakland focused on strengthening community connection, reducing loneliness, and increasing civic participation.
Oakland Joiners
Josh Nesbit
This presentation explores how technology can support and strengthen communities. Its primary purpose is to reconnect people, fostering healthy relationships and cultivating strong community bonds.
Relational Tech Project
Julia Gitis
This presentation explores how digital products can redefine success by moving beyond traditional metrics like screen time.
Good Neighbor Lab
FINALIST PROJECTS
Rylee Buesing
Playpix is an AI‑powered photo organization app designed to simplify how users manage their digital memories. It automatically sorts, tags, and groups photos using intelligent recognition, reducing clutter and saving time.
Playpix
Julisa Pena
Carry Calm Co. is a mindfulness brand that helps people create small moments of peace throughout their busy day. The company offers a simple, elegant keychain designed to prompt quick grounding breaks whenever users reach for their keys.
Carry Calm Co.
Sofia Nazario
Rabbit Rehabilitation is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, nursing, and rehoming abandoned or neglected rabbits.
Rabbit Rehabilitation
CamEd1
The Claystation project addresses the challenges faced by low-income households, particularly the inability to afford refrigerators and limited access to electricity.
Claystation
PITCH PARTY N°1
Adia Walker
Athlete Archive is a digital platform designed to showcase, organize, and preserve the achievements of student‑athletes.
Athlete Archive
CamEd1
The Claystation project addresses the challenges faced by low-income households, particularly the inability to afford refrigerators and limited access to electricity.
Claystation
Elle Wong
ThreadIt is an AI‑powered organization platform built to bring structure, clarity, and workflow intelligence to Google Drive.
ThreadIt
Macie Wood
HerSportsHub is a digital platform designed to empower female athletes by giving them visibility, resources, and community support.
HerSportsHub
Jeckson Ulloa
Smart Parking Assistant is an automated tool designed to make parking in San Francisco simple, fast, and ticket‑free.
Smart Parking Assistant
Luke Vando
Igloo Coin is a student‑driven digital currency designed to help Dominican University students build healthier financial habits.
Igloo Coin
PITCH PARTY N° 2
CamEd2
The project aims to promote a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle by addressing concerns about the quality of vegetables available in the market, which are often grown with inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.
Dam Dous
Payton Oas
DZ Data Easy is an affordable, automated dashboard platform designed to help small organizations, schools, and nonprofits make faster, data‑driven decisions.
DZ Data Easy
Sofia Nazario
Rabbit Rehabilitation is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, nursing, and rehoming abandoned or neglected rabbits.
Rabbit Rehabilitation
Nicholas Medeiros
Legacy is an AI‑powered wellness device that creates fast, healthy “micro‑escape” sessions to help users reduce stress.
Legacy – “Light Your Escape”
Kelissa Lee
California CoastSmart is a digital platform designed to help residents and visitors enjoy California’s beaches responsibly while protecting the coastline for future generations.
California CoastSmart
Natalie Gomez
Envision Motorsports is a platform dedicated to accelerating opportunities for women in motorsports.
Envision Motorsports
PITCH PARTY N°3
CamEd3
Da Wheels is an electric cyclo ride-hailing platform that aims to preserve Cambodia’s traditional cyclo culture while modernizing it for eco-friendly tourism.
Da Wheels
Deepa Vanaraja
XChange is a money‑transfer app designed specifically for international students, offering fast, secure, and low‑fee global transactions.
XChange
Michelle Salas
Mindful Runner is a wellness‑focused running program that helps athletes improve performance through mental clarity, intentional movement, and stress‑reduction techniques.
Mindful Runner
Ana Rios
Slam Connect is a digital platform that helps student-athletes stay organized by centralizing academic resources, athletic schedules, and communication tools to better balance sports and school.
Slam Connect
Julisa Pena
Carry Calm Co. is a mindfulness brand that helps people create small moments of peace throughout their busy day. The company offers a simple, elegant keychain designed to prompt quick grounding breaks whenever users reach for their keys.
Carry Calm Co.
PITCH PARTY N°4
CamEd4
One Stopper is a local application designed to provide a variety of on-demand services in one convenient platform.
One Stopper
Julianne Cotterill
Family Fly Hub is a family-focused travel platform that simplifies trip planning by centralizing budgeting, itineraries, and kid-friendly recommendations in one easy-to-use space.
Family Fly Hub
Marc Perea
Skiltual is a platform that connects companies with students to complete quick tasks, giving businesses timely support while offering students real-world experience.
Skiltual
Rylee Buesing
Playpix is an AI‑powered photo organization app designed to simplify how users manage their digital memories. It automatically sorts, tags, and groups photos using intelligent recognition, reducing clutter and saving time.
Playpix
Avery Bravo
Open Paws Sanctuary is a rescue initiative that provides safe, long-term care for vulnerable animals, focusing on rehabilitation, enrichment, and responsible stewardship in a peaceful healing environment.
Open Paws Sanctuary
GALERY
A VISUAL RECAP OF OUR MOST RECENT EVENT
THE BUSINESS OF THE
HUMANITIES, 2024
(Summary)
SPEAKERS
INTRODUCTIONS & WELCOMING REMARKS
Wayne de Fremery
Professor of Information Science and Entrepreneurship, Director of the Françoise Lepage Center of Global Innovation, Dominican University of California
Welcoming Remarks
Sherry Wangenheim
Vice President for Finance and Administration, Dominican University of California
Welcoming Remarks
Weibke Denecke
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture, Faculty Lead of Global Humanities initiative, MIT
Welcoming Remarks
KEYNOTE
John Silvanus Wilson
The Unfinished Business of Higher Education
Former President of Morehouse College, Former Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs)
SESSION ONE
INTRODUCTIONS & WELCOMING REMARKS
Wayne de Fremery
Professor of Information Science and Entrepreneurship, Director of the Françoise Lepage Center of Global Innovation, Dominican University of California
Welcoming Remarks
Sherry Wangenheim
Vice President for Finance and Administration, Dominican University of California
Welcoming Remarks
Weibke Denecke
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture, Faculty Lead of Global Humanities initiative, MIT
Welcoming Remarks
Otto Scharmer
Reimagining the 21st Century University and Business School in the Face of Our Polycrisis
MIT Sloan School of Management, Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute
Thomas Cavanagh
Rethinking the Business of Teaching Business
Associate Professor of Management, Dominican University of California
Wayne de Fremery
Deep Learning and the Humanities
Professor of Information Science and Entrepreneurship, Dominican University of California
Shankar Raman
Automation and Humanities Jobs
Professor in the Literature Section, MIT
Judy Halebsky
PoBiz: The Business of Poetry
Director of the MFA, Professor of English, Dominican University of California
Michael Puett
How to Read the World: Working Across the Humanities, Economics, and AI
Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard University
SESSION TWO
Hap Klopp
Democratizing Access to the Deep Wilderness
Former CEO of The North Face and Lecturer, Dominican University of California
Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim
Asian Medicine in the World: Towards Affecting Deep Systems of Healing
Fellow, Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, University of Pennsylvania
Tristan Brown
Wind, Water, and Artificial Intelligence: Appraising Fengshui in Chinese Real Estate with Machine Learning
S.C. Fang Chinese Language and Culture Career
Development Professor, MIT
Michaela George
The Local Business of Global Health
Associate Professor, Global Public Health Program, Dominican University of California
Benjamin Rosenberg
The Local Business of Global Health
Associate Professor of
Psychology, Dominican University of California
Or Parath
Is there a Historical Link between Deifying Animals and Animal Welfare?
Assistant Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, Tel Aviv University
Wiebke Denecke
Mapping the Humanities’ Business Ground-up: Kyoto 800, Göttingen 1830, Boston 2024
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture, MIT
Xavier G. Buck
Narrative Control and the Business of Legacy
Executive Director, Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation
Alicia Stevens
The Other Davos: How Arts & Culture Changed the World
Gates Cambridge Scholar, Cambridge Heritage Research Centre, University of Cambridge
KEYNOTE
The Unfinished Business of Higher Education
Former President of Morehouse College, Former Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs
John Silvanus Wilson
John Silvanus Wilson
Former President of Morehouse College, Former Director
of the White House Initiative on HBCUs
The Unfinished Business of Higher Education
SESSION ONE
Otto Scharmer
MIT Sloan School of Management, Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute
Reimagining the 21st Century University and Business School in the Face of Our Polycrisis
Thomas Cavanagh
Associate Professor of Management, Dominican University of California
Rethinking the Business of Teaching Business
Wayne de Fremery
Professor of Information Science and Entrepreneurship, Dominican University of California
Deep Learning and the Humanities
Shankar Raman
Professor in the Literature Section, MIT
Automation and Humanities Jobs
Judy Halebsky
Director of the MFA, Professor of English, Dominican University of California
PoBiz: The Business of Poetry
Michael Puett
Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard University
How to Read the World: Working Across the Humanities, Economics, and AI
SESSION TWO
Hap Klopp
Former CEO of The North Face and Lecturer, Dominican University of California
Democratizing Access to the Deep Wilderness
Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim
Fellow, Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, University of Pennsylvania
Asian Medicine in the World: Towards Affecting Deep Systems of Healing
Tristan Brown
S.C. Fang Chinese Language and Culture Career
Development Professor, MIT
Wind, Water, and Artificial Intelligence: Appraising Fengshui in Chinese Real Estate with Machine Learning
Michaela George
Associate Professor, Global Public Health Program, Dominican University of California
The Local Business of Global Health
Benjamin Rosenberg
Associate Professor of
Psychology, Dominican University of California
The Local Business of Global Health
Or Parath
Assistant Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, Tel Aviv University
Is there a Historical Link between Deifying Animals and Animal Welfare?
Wiebke Denecke
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture, MIT
Mapping the Humanities’ Business Ground-up: Kyoto 800, Göttingen 1830, Boston 2024
Xavier G. Buck
Executive Director, Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation
Narrative Control and the Business of Legacy
Alicia Stevens
Gates Cambridge Scholar, Cambridge Heritage Research Centre, University of Cambridge
The Other Davos: How Arts & Culture Changed the World
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: THE BUSINESS OF THE HUMANITIES
Nicola Pitchford
President, Dominican University of California
Otto Scharmer
MIT Sloan School of Management, Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute
Michael Puett
Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Director of the Asia Center, Harvard University
Wiebke Denecke
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture, Faculty Lead of Comparative Global Humanities Initiative, MIT
THE LEPAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM
2021 - 2025
Kevin Cleary
CEO, Clif Bar & Company
Kevin Compton
Partner at Kleiner Perkins
Skelly Wingard
CEO, By the Bay Health
Joe Shekou
Owner, JHS Properties
Amelia Ceja
President and CEO, Ceja Vineyards.
April 14, 2022
Zachary Kushel
Founder and Managing
Partner,
Marin Sonoma
Impact Ventures
Kevin Johnson
Vice President and Portfolio Manager,
Dodge & Cox
Nooshin Behroyan
Founder/ CEO of Paxon
Energy & Infrastructure
Michael Volpatt
Serial Entrepreneur
Leslie Blodgett
Founder, bareMinerals
Kara Goldin
CEO of Hint Inc.
Kathy Tierney
Former CEO
Sur la Table and
entrepreneur
Michael Volpatt
Jama Adams
Founder and Host, People in Common Podcast
Casey Woo
CEO & Founder, Operators Guild
COLLABORATIONS WITH THE US COMMERCIAL SERVICE
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: THE BUSINESS OF THE HUMANITIES
Nicola Pitchford
President, Dominican University of California
Otto Scharmer
MIT Sloan School of Management, Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute
Michael Puett
Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Director of the Asia Center, Harvard University
Wiebke Denecke
S. C. Fang Professor of Chinese Language and Culture, Faculty Lead of Comparative Global Humanities Initiative, MIT
THE LEPAGE CENTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM
2021 - 2024
Kevin Cleary
CEO, Clif Bar & Company
Kevin Compton
Partner at Kleiner Perkins
Skelly Wingard
CEO, By the Bay Health
Joe Shekou
Owner, JHS Properties
Amelia Ceja
President and CEO, Ceja Vineyards.
April 14, 2022
Zachary Kushel
Founder and Managing
Partner,
Marin Sonoma
Impact Ventures
Kevin Johnson
Vice President and Portfolio Manager,
Dodge & Cox
Nooshin Behroyan
Founder/ CEO of Paxon
Energy & Infrastructure
Michael Volpatt
Serial Entrepreneur
Leslie Blodgett
Founder, bareMinerals
Kara Goldin
CEO of Hint Inc.
Kathy Tierney
Former CEO
Sur la Table and
entrepreneur
Michael Volpatt
Jama Adams
Founder and Host, People in Common Podcast
Casey Woo
CEO & Founder, Operators Guild
Clean Energy and Environmental Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Lepage Center and the U.S. Commercial Service hosted a Roundtable on clean energy and environmental technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa that included Mlamli Mjambana, an industry expert in energy who works with U.S. companies attempting to enter the African market. Companies from the San Francisco Bay Area, including EGS, 3rd Stone Design, Arrgh Manufacturing, GK Advisors, Pegasus Power Solutions, Asoba, and Nippon Steel Trading, exchanged ideas about the future of clean energy in Africa. The Director of the Lepage Center, Dr. Wayne de Fremery, Dr. Vafa Saboori, Director of the MS in Business Analytics at the Barowsky School of Business, and Elizabeth Krauth, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service North Bay office, were also in attendance.
North Bay Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and International Trade
The Director of the Lepage Center and the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) in the North Bay/San Rafael, held a successful community outreach event on the topic of the North Bay Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and International Trade. The USCS and the Lepage Center plan to co-host additional events with the long term aim of rebuilding an export association in the North Bay.
COLLABORATIONS WITH THE US COMMERCIAL SERVICE
Clean Energy and Environmental Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Lepage Center and the U.S. Commercial Service hosted a Roundtable on clean energy and environmental technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa that included Mlamli Mjambana, an industry expert in energy who works with U.S. companies attempting to enter the African market. Companies from the San Francisco Bay Area, including EGS, 3rd Stone Design, Arrgh Manufacturing, GK Advisors, Pegasus Power Solutions, Asoba, and Nippon Steel Trading, exchanged ideas about the future of clean energy in Africa. The Director of the Lepage Center, Dr. Wayne de Fremery, Dr. Vafa Saboori, Director of the MS in Business Analytics at the Barowsky School of Business, and Elizabeth Krauth, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service North Bay office, were also in attendance.
North Bay Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and International Trade
The Director of the Lepage Center and the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) in the North Bay/San Rafael, held a successful community outreach event on the topic of the North Bay Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and International Trade. The USCS and the Lepage Center plan to co-host additional events with the long term aim of rebuilding an export association in the North Bay.
EVENT ARCHIVE
Business Edge Briefing with Ashwin Gulati
March 26, 2025
Veteran entrepreneur and startup consultant Ashwin Gulati dismantles the myths and uncovers the raw realities and ambitions that shape an entrepreneurial culture where 97% of startups are destined to fail.
Veteran entrepreneur and startup consultant Ashwin Gulati dismantles the myths and uncovers the raw realities and ambitions that shape an entrepreneurial culture where 97% of startups are destined to fail. Why do entrepreneurs keep lining up? Why do venture capitalists continue to fund them? And what exactly isn’t working?
Based on Gulati's recently published book, Soul Venture: A True Life and Death Journey Into the Startup Culture, this webinar provides unconventional, no-nonsense advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders, drawn from Gulati's real-world experiences.
Key topics:
Business vs. personal drivers—why knowing the difference is critical
Investor perspectives and the pressures of OPM (Other People’s Money)
Building your core dream team—who should be in your corner
Hiring in the early stages—how to get it right from the start
And why… Steve Jobs was wrong!
Veteran entrepreneur and startup consultant Ashwin Gulati dismantles the myths and uncovers the raw realities and ambitions that shape an entrepreneurial culture where 97% of startups are destined to fail. Why do entrepreneurs keep lining up? Why do venture capitalists continue to fund them? And what exactly isn’t working?
Based on Gulati's recently published book, Soul Venture: A True Life and Death Journey Into the Startup Culture, this webinar provides unconventional, no-nonsense advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders, drawn from Gulati's real-world experiences.
Key topics:
Business vs. personal drivers—why knowing the difference is critical
Investor perspectives and the pressures of OPM (Other People’s Money)
Building your core dream team—who should be in your corner
Hiring in the early stages—how to get it right from the start
And why… Steve Jobs was wrong!