Global Entrepreneurship Speaker Series (GESS)
Interested in becoming a Global Entrepreneur? Come learn from entrepreneurs from all over the world!
The Global Entrepreneurship Speaker Series (GESS) is offered only during the fall semesters. These seminars afford students the opportunity to earn a Professional Development Certificate from the School of Business while learning from international entrepreneurial leaders. It is a great resume builder and gives you a chance to learn what inspires, motivates, challenges and ultimately helps entrepreneurs succeed in the global economy. The fall 2020 GESS series is still available. Please see the information for each seminar below.
The speaker series is hosted by Global Business Programs and sponsored by:
- Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- GE Global Learning Center
- Werth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- OPIM Innovate Lab
- International Business Association
This certificate is available to all graduate and undergraduate UConn students. Students may earn a certificate every fall semester. It is achieved by attending at least 3 out of 4+ GESS lectures offered during the same fall semester. Please allow 2-3 weeks for Global Business Programs to send you your certificate of completion over email.
2020 GESS Speakers

Dr. Catriona Wallace, CEO of Ethical AI Advisory, Founder & Director of Flamingo AI
Wednesday, October 7, 2020, 7pm, Youtube
Catriona is the CEO of Ethical AI Advisory (https://ethicalai.ai/) and is also the Founder & Director of Flamingo AI (https://flamingo.ai/), an Artificial Intelligence software company based in the US and Australia. Catriona is regarded as one of the most influential women in business and entrepreneurship. She is also an Adjunct Professor so can translate really nerdy topics into everyday language. Surprisingly, once a police officer and nightclub owner, Catriona is now one of the world’s most cited commentators on AI, Ethics and Women in Leadership. Catriona is a philanthropist, human rights advocate, environmentalist and mother of five.
Students wishing to count this special seminar towards their completion of the Global Entrepreneurship Certificate must view the seminar live on Youtube on October 7 or watch the recording after October 7, and then take the post-seminar quiz linked below.
Not able to join live? Watch Dr. Wallace's recorded presentation below.

Dr. Ryan Coles, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Management
Friday, October 9, 2020, 3pm - 4pm, Webex
Ryan Coles is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Management whose research is focused on analyzing entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and growth strategies spans in the U.S., Latin America, and the Middle East. Ryan's quest to undertand the social foundations of entrepreneurship has lead him to Tahrir Square during the Arab Spring, Latin American communities with a history of drug cartel violence, the Amazon rain-forest, and more.
Outside of academia, Ryan has worked with start-ups in the volun-tourism and fin-tech sectors, and advised V.C. firms on investments in the ed-tech, biotech, and fitness sectors.
Dr. Coles' presentation is entitled Revolution, Refugees, and Risk: International Entrepreneurship during the Arab Spring.
Not able to join live? Watch Dr. Coles’ recorded presentation below.

Tunde Tella, Director and Co-owner of Valley Ridge Energy Limited
Friday, November 13, 2020, 3pm - 4pm, Webex
Tunde Tella has a first degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos in Lagos State Nigeria. He worked with Oceanic Bank Plc between 2013 to 2017. Tunde joined International Energy Services Limited (IESL) as the Head of Business Strategy in 2010. Tunde led the expansion efforts of Nigerian Content Development Law to countries like Mozambique, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Chad.
In 2017, Tunde and some partners established Valley Ridge Energy Services Limited, to provide specialty services to the major players in the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector. Tunde’s work experience spans the following sectors: Banking, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Human resources, Biotechnology and medical, Insurance, and education.
Not able to join live? Watch Tunde Tella's recorded presentation below.