Brian DeKemper, BS ‘02 – Enterprise Account Executive, AWS

Max Yoder is the Co-Founder and Former CEO of Lessonly, which was acquired by Seismic in 2021. He's the Author of Do Better Work, an Amazon #1 Bestseller about communication and teamwork. Hear why he initially thought he got rejected by IU, how to find mentors and gain support from others, the pivot that shaped the trajectory of Lessonly, how to show your humanity as an entrepreneur, and how his book helped him and his business. Learn more about Max on LinkedIn, check out his book on Amazon, and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Brian DeKemper is an Enterprise Account Executive in AWS's Higher Education practice, helping research universities develop strategies for leveraging cloud computing. He's spent the last 20 years working in different parts of the education technology (EdTech) market segment, including his start as employee #35 at ANGEL Learning (acquired by Blackboard). Hear his memories coming to IU football games as a kid, his favorite classes at IU, what happens when you get acquired by a competitor, his favorite projects to work on at AWS, and his top resources for entrepreneurs. Learn more about Brian on LinkedIn, and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Grace Hahn is Senior Associate at Edison Partners who has spent her entire career at the intersection of financial services and technology. At Edison, Grace focuses on evaluating and executing investments in Software, Fintech, and Healthcare IT, as well as new investment origination and existing portfolio company support. Hear whether AI is at an inflection point, how to position your company for investment, the value of your network and a strong support system, Grace’s experience marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and her go-to order at The Chocolate Moose. Learn more about Grace on LinkedIn and at EdisonPartners.com, and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Jim Fielding is a respected retail and media industry veteran whose expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. He currently serves as a Partner at Archer Gray, an independent media company, and President of its Co-Lab Division. Hear his favorite memories from Disney, Dreamworks, Twentieth Century Fox, and Claire’s, his leadership philosophy, career-shaping meetings with Steve Jobs, the importance of knowing the team you invest in, and the top lessons from his book, All Pride, No Ego. Learn more about Jim on LinkedIn, check out his book on Amazon, and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Kim Saxton is a Clinical Professor of Marketing and Todd Saxton is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship - both at the Kelley School of Business. They've advised and helped launch hundreds of startups and also worked with large corporations and medium-sized businesses. Hear why research is like entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial resources available in Bloomington and to IU alumni, why fundraising for your startup is such a challenge, how to build a vibrant startup community, and the best reason to start a business. Learn more about Kim and Todd at Kelley.IU.edu and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Brennan Woodruff is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of GoCharlie.AI, your new AI marketing assistant. After a decade working in finance, Brennan was drawn to the power of generative AI to allow entrepreneurs, brands, and businesses tell their stories in new ways through top quality marketing content. Hear the game-winning moment that sold him on attending IU, the potential of AI in marketing and beyond, aspects of AI we should be concerned about, the most mind-blowing elements of AI, and his favorite item at Jiffy Treet. Learn more about Brennan at GoCharlie.AI and on LinkedIn and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Haley Zollo is a Partner at Starting Line, an early stage consumer focused fund based in Chicago. Prior to her transition to the VC (Venture Capital) side of things, Haley spent a majority of her career scaling retail startups and leading strategy, data analytics, and business operations at Trunk Club (acquired by Nordstrom) and Mac & Mia (acquired by Stitch Fix). Hear how to get into the VC world, raise your first fund, Starting Line’s investment strategy, the current landscape for women in the VC world, and Haley’s favorite concert she saw at IU. Learn more about Haley at StartingLine.VC and on LinkedIn and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Jori Davis is the Founder & CEO of WEVOLV, an all-in-one sports management app revolutionizing the athlete's journey through a unique data strategy. She's one of the most distinguished basketball players in Indiana University history and recently completed her 12th season as a professional basketball player. Hear her favorite memories on and off the court at IU, the moment she got drafted to the WNBA, how playing and living in different countries across the globe improves your business skills, what career athletes can learn from each other, and her favorite spots in Bloomington. Learn more about Jori at WEVOLV.net and on LinkedIn and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Jake Miller is a highly experienced and accomplished technologist who is the Founder & CEO of The Engineered Innovation Group. Hear how his time at IUPUI shaped his career, the impact AI (Artificial Intelligence) will have on the future of business, how to create a company that celebrates diversity, creativity, and insatiable curiosity, how to take projects from idea through commercialization, and his excitement for the future of Indianapolis and IU Indy. Learn more about Jake at EngineeredInnovationGroup.com and on LinkedIn and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu

Justin Delaney is a serial entrepreneur and Managing Partner at Wabi Capital who has grown companies explosively fast with notable exits, including Menguin and Buff City Soap. Hear his favorite memories from Bloomington, how his time getting his Kelley MBA transformed his life, his investors Scott Dorsey and Mark Cuban, fun stories about his friend and partner George Zimmer of Men’s Wearhouse, and his best advice for aspiring IU entrepreneurs. Connect with Justin on LinkedIn and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Online MBA. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu