FROM ENTREPRENEURIALLY MINDED THINKING TO VENTURE LAUNCH

Dr. Lauri Olivier is at her desk, clearly frustrated by what’s in her inbox, or perhaps by what is not. She’s trying to enroll her 11-year-old daughter in a private school and the hoops that require jumping through are exasperating. It’s not easy to relocate your family from Jupiter, Florida, to the suburbs of Philadelphia, but Dr. Olivier is addressing the challenges head on, much like she’s approaching her role as the College of Engineering’s new director of engineering entrepreneurship.

After launching the engineering entrepreneurship program in 2007 and leading its efforts for more than a decade, former director Ed Dougherty left big shoes to fill. Dr. Olivier, however, is more than prepared to leave her own mark. In fact, when asked about her greatest achievement, she describes her ability to work across disciplines: “With my diverse education and skill set I speak the language of the scientist, the engineer and the entrepreneur and create bridges where there were barriers to success.”

A quick look at her CV makes it clear that Dr. Olivier is well positioned to succeed. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati, her PhD in biomedical engineering from Duke University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Having most recently led the entrepreneurship program and Snyder Idea Lab in the College of Business Management at Lynn University, Dr. Olivier possesses more than 20 years’ experience in teaching, innovation management, business development and entrepreneurship.

Reflecting on what brought her to Villanova University, Dr. Olivier refers to the desire to once again be surrounded by engineers after serving in the business school in her last position. The University’s emphasis on teaching; its sense of community; and its dedication to Catholic principles, ideals and responsibilities also appealed to her. They closely align with her own values. “Working with wonderful people is what matters most at this point in my life,” she adds, “and I’ve found I’m surrounded by intelligent, capable and collaborative colleagues here in the College of Engineering.”

GETTING TO KNOW DR. LAURI OLIVIER

Favorite course to teach: “Venture Creation because it’s so intense and transformative. You see incredible student growth; it teaches them what’s possible and there’s nothing like being there when the light goes on.”

Best piece of advice: “Know thyself. There is nothing more important.”

Last book she read: Dave Barry’s Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog. Dr. Olivier adores her 80 lb. lap dog, Krypton, and would someday like to train what she calls “comfort dogs.”

Surprising talent: Opera singing. Villanova may be the only engineering school in the country with two former opera singers on the faculty (Civil and Environmental Engineering Teaching Professor Dr. Frank Hampton is the other).

What she’d be doing if not in her current occupation: “Film photography. I love the technical and precise aspects of the craft, combined with the creativity.”

If she could change one thing about herself: “I’d like to be 20 years younger, so I’d have more time and energy to do everything I want to do.”

SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES FOR VILLANOVA’S ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

• Challenge student teams to enter pitch competitions and pursue funding to launch their endeavors.

• Establish relationships with seed investors and regional incubators and bring them into the process.

• Within Villanova, reach across colleges to form relationships between engineering students and those who possess consumer insights, such as clinicians in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing.