Community Leaders Rally Behind Meredith College’s Entrepreneurship Challenge

In a powerful display of community support for women in entrepreneurship, distinguished leaders from across the Triangle are coming together for Meredith College’s Entrepreneurship Challenge on March 1, 2025. This event, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Sarah Glova, showcases our commitment to fostering the next generation of women business leaders while highlighting the incredible ecosystem of support available to our students.

Dr. Glova, founder of Reify Media and NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame inductee, will deliver the keynote address drawing from her extensive research on goal achievement and professional development. Known for her dynamic speaking style and commitment to amplifying women’s voices in business, her presentation promises to set an inspiring tone for the day’s events.

Charlotte Louis, CEO & Founder of SenterME, brings over 20 years of experience in finance and corporate training to the event. Her journey from financial advisor to wellness tech founder exemplifies the diverse paths to entrepreneurship. Through SenterME, she’s revolutionizing how women professionals approach emotional wellness and work-life balance.

The event has also attracted leaders from NC State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including Haley Huie, Director of the Entrepreneurship Clinic. Her extensive background in building student entrepreneurship programs and running accelerators provides crucial insights for students looking to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses.

Adding a global perspective to the challenge is Preet Mankad, Programs & Community Manager at CED (Council for Entrepreneurial Development). Her expertise in creating and managing innovative learning programs for tech and biotech founders brings valuable insight to the event. With experience spanning Mumbai, Sydney, and Raleigh, her cross-cultural insights and deep understanding of founder education offer students a broader view of entrepreneurial possibilities, particularly in the thriving tech and life sciences sectors.

The diversity of expertise these leaders bring makes this event particularly valuable. From tech and wellness to education and program development, each mentor offers our students a unique lens through which to view their entrepreneurial journey.

The Entrepreneurship Challenge offers $6,000 in prize money, but the real value lies in the connections students will make with these accomplished leaders plus numerous others. Each mentor represents a different path to success, demonstrating to our students that there isn’t just one way to build a successful enterprise.

Join us on March 1 to watch Meredith students pitch their ideas and receive guidance from some of the Triangle’s most inspiring leaders. The event begins at 9 a.m. with Dr. Glova’s keynote address, presentations from our distinguished guests, and mentoring sessions to guide students through the process from ideation to pitching Shark Tank-style at the Kresge Auditorium.

For more information about the Entrepreneurship Challenge or to register, please contact Molly McKinley,  Meredith’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence at mjmckinley@meredith.edu