Get 1:1 advice from experienced Duke entrepreneurs and innovators
Exploring entrepreneurship, building an idea, or facing a roadblock? Duke Experts in Entrepreneurship offer students and alumni 1:1 advice from experienced entrepreneurs and innovators while strengthening connections across the Duke I&E community.
What do you need help with?
Many Experts have experience across multiple categories. To make finding the right Expert easier, we've highlighted their primary areas of expertise. Visit their LinkedIn profiles for a more complete view of their professional experience.
Explore by theme
Seed/pre-seed, VC, angels, bootstrapping, grants, valuation, equity
- Alberto Araiza J.D.'12: Al is a legal, fundraising, product development, IP, and AI expert with broad tech, health, retail, finance, and clean energy experience. Schedule a call with Al.
- Shikha Anand P'28: Founder and Chief Medical Officer of ZephBreath with expertise in healthcare innovation, product-market fit, venture fundraising, and commercialization. Schedule a call with Shikha.
- Sarah Cork B.S.'05: Life sciences patent attorney (Ph.D. Neuroscience) specializing in IP protection, commercialization, and biotech/medtech innovation. Industries: life sciences, pharma, and health. Schedule a call with Sarah.
- Damien Hoffman A.B.'00: Bootstrapped and sold a large online media company. Expert in content, advertising, e-commerce, bootstrapping, and positioning to sell. Schedule a call with Damien.
- Jay McKenna A.B.'06: Strategy, marketing, leadership, and fundraising expert in clean energy and sustainability. Schedule a call with Jay.
- Avery Reaves A.B.'04: Fundraising and legal/IP specialist with focus on entity formation and securities. Industries: tech, health, finance.Schedule a call with Avery.
- Zach Wood M.Eg.M.'08: Co-founder of Vadar Alpha; expert in product strategy, go-to-market, and leadership in industrial tech. Industries: tech, finance. Schedule a call with Zach.
Customer acquisition, sales, branding, positioning, messaging
- Jennifer Arrington M.B.A.'23: Red Bull marketing leader with expertise in digital campaigns, startup growth, UX, AI integration, and sustainability. Industries: tech, energy, media, agriculture. Schedule a call with Jennifer.
- Bette Ann Fialkov A.B.'07: Marketing and influencer/experiential partnership expert in health, retail, and media. Schedule a call with Bette Ann.
- Jason Finkelstein A.B.'98: GTM operator and advisor with CMO, COO experience scaling B2B software/AI companies. Focus areas: positioning, customer validation, revenue strategy and GTM execution. Schedule a call with Jason.
- Sean Smith A.B.'00: Retail media and digital marketing strategist with strengths in sales, brand growth, and client education. Industries: retail, media. Schedule a call with Sean.
- Travis Wittick M.B.A.'17: Founder of Academy Endeavors; expertise in leadership, mentorship, and mission-driven business growth. Industries: media, education. Schedule a call with Travis.
Business models, GTM, pricing, product-market fit, validation
- Shikha Anand P'28: Founder and Chief Medical Officer of ZephBreath with expertise in healthcare innovation, product-market fit, venture fundraising, and commercialization. Schedule a call with Shikha.
- Jason Finkelstein A.B.'98: GTM operator and advisor with CMO, COO experience scaling B2B software/AI companies. Focus areas: positioning, customer validation, revenue strategy and GTM execution. Schedule a call with Jason.
- Mike Handelsman A.B.'88: Strategy, marketing, and ETA expert with experience in eCommerce, manufacturing, and tech. Schedule a call with Mike.
- Damien Hoffman A.B.'00: Bootstrapped and sold a large online media company. Expert in content, advertising, e-commerce, bootstrapping, and positioning to sell. Schedule a call with Damien.
- Quinci King A.B.'20: Nonprofit founder and corporate strategist specializing in social innovation, AI, product management, and corporate development/ partnerships. Schedule a call with Quinci.
- Jay McKenna A.B.'06: Strategy, marketing, leadership, and fundraising expert in clean energy and sustainability. Schedule a call with Jay.
- Brynne Thompson A.B.'99: Strategy, leadership, and fundraising advisor to early-stage companies, especially in sustainability and innovation. Industries: finance, edtech, tech, consumer goods. Schedule a call with Brynne.
MVPs, prototyping, design thinking, product strategy, testing
- Jennifer Arrington M.B.A.'23: Red Bull marketing leader with expertise in digital campaigns, startup growth, UX, AI integration, and sustainability. Industries: tech, energy, media, agriculture. Schedule a call with Jennifer.
- Dennis Gilmore Ph.D.'78, P'14: 40+ years in technology commercialization, startup formation, and clean energy innovation. Industries: health, energy. Schedule a call with Dennis.
- Quinn Wang A.B.'10, M.D.'15: Y Combinator alum and founder of two healthcare startups; expert in healthcare innovation, venture funding, and physician advocacy. Industries: tech, health. Schedule a call with Quinn.
- Zach Wood M.Eg.M.'08: Co-founder of Vadar Alpha; expert in product strategy, go-to-market, and leadership in industrial tech. Industries: tech, finance. Schedule a call with Zach.
Growth, manufacturing, supply chain, processes, expansion
- Kelly Braddy A.B.'99: Leadership and family business expert with U.S. market entry experience for global companies. Industry: real estate/construction. Schedule a call with Kelly.
- Eric Ensor A.B.'74, M.B.A.'77, P'03: CEO of EV fast charging startup; veteran in management alignment, startup scaling, and market expansion. Industries: tech, energy. Schedule a call with Eric.
- Mike Handelsman A.B.'88: Strategy, marketing, and ETA expert with experience in eCommerce, manufacturing, and tech. Schedule a call with Mike.
- Melissa Harms A.B.'95: Principal at BAL with 25+ years in immigration law, advising scaling companies on global mobility strategy for market entry, workforce expansion, and cross-border growth. Industries: tech, AI, life sciences. Schedule a call with Melissa.
Patents, trademarks, licensing, formation, agreements, governance
- Alberto Araiza J.D.'12: Al is a legal, fundraising, product development, IP, and AI expert with broad tech, health, retail, finance, and clean energy experience. Schedule a call with Al.
- Sarah Cork B.S.'05: Life sciences patent attorney (Ph.D. Neuroscience) specializing in IP protection, commercialization, and biotech/medtech innovation. Industries: life sciences, pharma, and health. Schedule a call with Sarah.
- Dennis Gilmore Ph.D.'78, P'14: 40+ years in technology commercialization, startup formation, and clean energy innovation. Industries: health, energy. Schedule a call with Dennis.
- Melissa Harms A.B.'95: Principal at BAL with 25+ years in immigration law, guiding founders and early-stage companies through visa strategy (O-1, EB-1A, NIW) and policy development as they build and scale. Expertise in founder support networks, and startup strategy. Schedule a call with Melissa.
- David Lu Ph.D.'04: Partner at K&L Gates specializing in intellectual property strategy and commercialization for life sciences, biotechnology, and technology companies. Schedule a call with David.
- Avery Reaves A.B.'04: Fundraising and legal/IP specialist with focus on entity formation and securities. Industries: tech, health, finance. Schedule a call with Avery.
Cofounders, hiring, culture, management, leadership, mentorship
- Kelly Braddy A.B.'99: Leadership and family business expert with U.S. market entry experience for global companies. Industry: real estate/construction. Schedule a call with Kelly.
- Eric Ensor A.B.'74, M.B.A.'77, P'03: CEO of EV fast charging startup; veteran in management alignment, startup scaling, and market expansion. Industries: tech, energy. Schedule a call with Eric.
- Quinci King A.B.'20: Nonprofit founder and corporate strategist specializing in social innovation, AI, product management, and corporate development/ partnerships. Schedule a call with Quinci.
- Brynne Thompson A.B.'99: Strategy, leadership, and fundraising advisor to early-stage companies, especially in sustainability and innovation. Industries: finance, edtech, tech, consumer goods. Schedule a call with Brynne.
- Travis Wittick M.B.A.'17: Founder of Academy Endeavors; expertise in leadership, mentorship, and mission-driven business growth. Industries: media, education. Schedule a call with Travis.
Prefer to browse? Meet all Experts
full roster 2026-2027
- Shikha Anand P'28
Co-Founder, Zeph Technologies 📅Book a call with Shikha. - Al Araiza J.D.'12
Partner, Dorsey & Whitney 📅 Book a call with Al - Jennifer Arrington M.B.A.'23
Product Manager, Owned Media, Red Bull North America, Inc. 📅 Book a call with Jennifer - Kelly Braddy A.B.'99
President/CEO, King of Texas Roofing Company, LP 📅 Book a call with Kelly - Sarah Cork B.S.'05
Partner, Cork Maloney LLP 📅 Book a call with Sarah - Eric Ensor A.B.'74, M.B.A.'77, P'03
Owner and President, Quiet Water Associates 📅 Book a call with Eric - Bette Ann Fialkov A.B.'07
Founder, BA Fialkov LLC 📅 Book a call with Bette Ann - Jason Finkelstein A.B.'98
GTM Operator, Fractional Executive & Advisor 📅 Book a call with Jason - Dennis Gilmore Ph.D.'78, P'14
Founder and President, Crosslynk Research Consulting LLC 📅 Book a call with Dennis - Mike Handelsman A.B.'88
Owner & President, Foam Fabrication Commerce, Inc. 📅 Book a call with Mike - Melissa Harms A.B.'95
Principal, Growth & Strategy, BAL 📅 Book a call with Melissa - Damien Hoffman A.B.'00
Founder & Board, The Cheat Sheet 📅 Book a call with Damien - Quinci King A.B.'20
Director, Chief of Staff, Product Management, Integral Ad Science 📅 Book a call with Quinci - David Lu Ph.D.'04
Partner, Patent Attorney, K&L Gates 📅 Book a call with David - Jay McKenna A.B.'06
Managing Director, OIC 📅 Book a call with Jay - Avery Reaves A.B.'04
Partner, Co-Chair of Emerging Company and Venture Capital Group 📅 Book a call with Avery - Sean Smith A.B.'00
Agency Development, Roundel 📅 Book a call with Sean - Brynne Thompson A.B.'99
Partner, Coburn Ventures 📅 Book a call with Brynne - Quinn Wang A.B.'10, M.D.'15
Founder/CEO, Doctors in Network, Inc. 📅 Book a call with Quinn - Travis Wittick M.B.A.'17
Founder & CEO, Academy Endeavors 📅 Book a call with Travis - Zach Wood M.Eg.M.'08
Co-Founder | Chief Product Officer, Vadar Alpha 📅 Book a call with Zach
Before you book
Prepare for your call
If you schedule time with an Expert, come prepared to make the most of the conversation. Through Calendly, you'll be asked to provide:
- Your LinkedIn URL and/or a professional bio
- Your company or organization website, if applicable
- Up to three specific questions or topics you'd like to discuss *the more specific the better
NOTE: Two missed calls will result in loss of access to the program.
A few things to know
Duke Experts in Entrepreneurship is designed for focused, 1:1 guidance from experienced Duke alumni, not ongoing mentorship or general outreach.
- Come with a specific question, challenge, or idea tailored to their expertise. Please do not spam multiple experts with the same inquiry.
- Follow-up conversations are welcome when mutually agreed upon by you and the Expert.
- Looking for a job? Please use Duke alumni career services.
- Expert contact information may not be used for sales, prospecting, fundraising, or promotional outreach.
- Respect Experts' time and the purpose of the program. Inappropriate conduct may result in loss of access.
- Questions? Email Kelley Downey
Opinions and advice given by Duke Experts in Entrepreneurship are not those of Duke University. The information provided by the Experts does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials from the Experts shall be used for general informational purposes only.