Buzz words like “entrepreneurship” and “innovation” are bandied about these days as ways to get ahead in the business world. These ideas are embraced at UHD. In fact, effective knowledge creation and strategic partnerships are two of the seven goals of UHD’s 2022-27 Strategic Plan: A New Paradigm, and the topic for the next President’s Lecture Series panel discussion.

This free event is 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Welcome Center’s Milam and Travis Rooms. “Breaking the Ceiling Through Innovation & Entrepreneurship: A Panel Discussion” will feature three UHD alumni who will highlight their own experiences, share lessons learned along the way, and teach the essential basics of building a business. They will also discuss resources that could alleviate common barriers that may stall or prevent minority- and women-owned business enterprises from starting or scaling up. 

Lunch will be served during this engaging event open to all students, faculty, and staff. Please register here.

Dr. Candace TenBrink, Associate Professor of Strategy in the Marilyn Davies College of Business, will serve as moderator for the panel of experts:

Ashley DeWalt is an emerging fund manager, advisor, and mentor for venture-backed startups. Presently, he is the managing director of DivInc, a non-profit that bridges the gap between underrepresented entrepreneurs and the resources they need to build high-growth, high-impact startups. During the past 20 years, DeWalt has worked as a management consultant for dozens of sports and entertainment talents, brands, and properties, including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Texas A&M University, Deontay Wilder, Ray Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson, and countless others. He currently serves on the Houston 2026 World Cup bid subcommittee, and is an advisor at Mercury Fund, Stadia Ventures, and a $100M+ sports technology SPAC. DeWalt’s work has been featured in several leading media outlets, such as ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, The Sports Business Journal, and Front Office Sports, among many others.

Jason T. Hyman (‘09), Owner and Broker of the Office of Jason T. Hyman, is real estate professional whose firm specializes in brokerage, urban planning, and infill development. As a business graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown and student of urban planning at Texas Southern University, Hyman has a unique and insightful way of interpreting the economics and function of real estate.

Trisha Lira (’16, MBA ‘18), Owner and Director of Mammoth Services, LLC, is a UHD alumna with an MBA in Finance. She worked 11 years in the federal government contracting arena with projects from small warehouses to large campus facilities. Lira is a third‐generation roofing contractor, and Mammoth Services was established within the Greater Houston Area and Gulf Coast Regions with the vision to encompass industry expertise and client-based relations.