I am a former participant in E-Scholars. I have a strong background in startups, sales, business development, and financial analysis.

Aditya is Senior Vice President responsible for developing C2FO’s innovation center in India, and leading the data science and governance organization.

Alex co-founded Premium Outdoor Grills in 2018 which made in the Inc 5000 list in 2023. An avid player, his next venture is indoor pickleball courts.

Andrew is leading the Product Design team at H&R Block delivering new, engaging client and associate experiences.

Founder of Favtrip. 16+ years in business. Marketing enthusiast. 19M+ Facebook reach. 83K+ YouTube subscribers.

Bernie provides strategic management and business development advice to start-up, early stage, and growth companies in the technology field.

I am a partner at HQ Consulting, a local consulting service that offers coaching and skill based training for both individuals and businesses.

Entrepreneur with over 30 years experience in manufacturing, sales, account management and business process development.

Founder of TicketRX. I am Bryan Shannon, a proven sales leader and executive with a strong track record of helping businesses drive sales, grow market shares, and increase revenue through

Cameron is a local Land Developer, Operating Partner for a Private Equity firm and a volunteer at the UMKC as a Mentor and Advisory Board Member

Dir of Product at Oracle Health. He has been involved in all areas of products from Ideation to development to successful Product Launch and growth.

Veteran operations leader & entrepreneur. Now steering a stealth gaming project. A proven mentor fostering the next-gen leaders.

Accomplished Leader: RJR Nabisco, Sprint, Embarq, Mobility Designed
Functional Experience: CEO, M+D, Fund Raising, Exit, CMO Fortune company

Co-Founder- The Porter House KC, and Professor at the University of Kansas Business School.

Former senior exec at Hallmark and Coca-Cola. Now consultant and executive coach, part owner of a strategic planning firm, start up mentor.

Dynamic marketing leader with agency and client-side experience driving growth and delivering brand narratives across a wide variety of sectors.

Attorney, currently working with several start up and scale up companies as advisor, mentor or board member. Also working in sustainability sector.

Psychologist and former lecturer in KU’s MBA program. I have worked as a marketing strategist at global ad agency VML for past 18 years.

E-Scholar Alumni, Experience with small businesses and programs. Background in Accounting and Management.

Seasoned Operations Executive with extensive experience in Supply Chain & Lean Manufacturing, Business Ownership, Mentoring & Volunteer Activities.

Med Device Sales/Marketing ExecutiveSmall Business OwnerGo to Market Expert with experience in a variety of industries

Jeff Blackwood, UMKC’s Director of Commercialization helps faculty and students market research innovations. He’s a KC native, entrepreneur, and MBA.

My passion is to allow students make as many career changes as they want before jumping to a higher education.

Founder and owner of Core Catalysts LLC (a management consulting company) based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Jonaie majored in entrepreneurship at UMKC. She was selected as the 2020 UMKC Bloch Student EOY. She is the founder of a PetTech startup, Interplay.

Multifaceted entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience with private business as well as
government and non-profit organizations.

Head of Insights and Strategy at Tetra Insights and an Innovator in Residence at Kansas University.

Companies of all sizes rely on Justin’s legal advice on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, licensing, and confidentiality issues.

CSO and consulting partner helping small to medium businesses with growth strategies, professional development, and executive coaching.

Experienced commercial sales and marketing executive who has worked for several large global Life Science enterprises.

CEO/President of Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, Principal/CEO of INC U LLC, and JV Partner of KWAMEkc.

Strategy and operational leader with experience in brand leadership, banking, digital, risk management, consumer and customer strategy.

Dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start, build and sell a world class brand and company – as he did with XIKAR, Inc.

Technical project management and product development background with 7 years in leadership.

Sewn Product Engineer specializing in launching products for clients by providing prototyping, pattern making, sample making and coaching.

As founder and CEO of a public company that included Marketing Consulting for 65 of the Fortune 100 and manufacturer of national marketed toy products.

Maria has a Fine Arts background and Business training. The intersection of these two fields helps her provide creative advice to her mentees.

Degrees in Textiles and Clothing and Clinical nutrition, and minors in business. Two bootstrap startups in my past and multiple interesting projects at the moment. Deep into KC coffee and food entrepreneurship.

Martin is an experienced technology executive and business consultant with a particular knack for artificial intelligence and cloud architecture.

An executive with 10+ years of experience in leading and scaling companies.

PM/Analyst for nearly 20 years; Head of Strategy for a Fortune 500 company; Co-Founded/CEO of FinTech SaaS company, CEO of HC startup + Board member

Megan Vargas: Business owner, nonprofit founder, and educator dedicated to empowering communities and fostering growth through innovative solutions.

A naval officer & engineer turned entrepreneur Mike built multiple firms, exiting the latest upon sale and integration. Mike is a Vistage Chair.

Director of Operations / The Porter House KC – a nonprofit entrepreneur support organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in the urban core.

Monica is a business executive and motivational leader with deep multi-functional expertise who inspires and empowers you to bring your dream to life.

Myles Howell is an entrepreneur, clinician, and business leader, who has dedicated his career towards improving healthcare in the United States, through bridging the gap between clinical best practice and

Innovative leader with a mindset of helping executives achieve more than they ever imagine possible. 30 years experience from start up to fortune 1000.

Successful Entrepreneur (exit to Cerner), Growth Strategy Consultant (multiple exits), Angel Investor (waiting on exits) and Member of Family Business.

Sam is an entrepreneur, marketer, brand builder and a community connector. He is the Co-Founder of the Kansas City Pioneers and Social Apex Media.

UMKC MBA alumni and worked in a KC based venture backed fintech company.

E-scholar alumni, 2022 MBA recipient, Mentor and accounting expert with a passion in local small businesses and being a life coach for UMKC students.

Steve started Lenexa Manufacturing from scratch. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering & MBA from the Notre Dame.

An HR professional specializing in helping organizations grow and succeed with quality people and processes. An intrapreneur and coach to others.

As an entrepreneur, Terri has successfully started/scaled six companies and brings over 25 years of strategy, sales, technology, and marketing leadership including extensive experience in legal, medical, tech, ecommerce, retail,

Experience in manufacturing, biopharmaceutical development, and healthcare supply. Sales, marketing, finance, operations, M&A, and an IPO attempt.

Tom spent his career in the capital markets. He is Vice Chairperson of DeMarche, an independent investment consulting firm serving institutions.

Executive with a track record of success in agricultural technology, online marketplaces, and legal technology.