Braulick Speaker

Entrepreneurial Grant Poster Session

OASIS Chapel Presentation

Innovation Scholars Speaker:
Philip Moeller ’63, World Bank

Business Plan in a Day Workshop

Join us in celebrating Entrepreneurship Week at St. Olaf!

Entrepreneurship Kick-off Speaker
Tuesday, April 26th

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Geralyn Sheehan is the Executive Director of Opportunity International, a microfinance organization offering loans, savings, micro insurance and training, to over two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world.  Sheehan has extensive experience in working with for-profit and non-profit organizations.  She brings a unique perspective on how entrepreneurs can address community needs through economic development.

Sheehan received her master's degree in public administration from Harvard University, JFK School of Government. She also has a JD degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sheehan was awarded a Fellowship in International Development through the Kellogg Foundation and Partners of the Americas in 1992 and was granted a Bush Leadership Fellowship in 1994 to further her studies in community and economic development at Harvard University. She has taught asset-based community development and organizing strategies at the Community Leadership Institute at the Center for Non-Profit Management, University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Along with her work at Opportunity International, Sheehan also serves on the faculty of the School of Education & Social Policy at Northwestern University.

Geralyn will be introduced by Jennifer Sawyer ’94

Jennifer Rajala Sawyer ’94 currently serves on the St Olaf College Alumni Board and is a Governor of Opportunity International.  She is Principal of Rebound Enterprises, an investment management company.  As an investor/owner and board director, Jennifer manages assets of $200 million. Areas of focus include: manufacturing, beverage distribution, hospitality, banking, and real estate.  Local assets include: College City Beverage (an Anheuser Busch distributorship), First National Bank of Northfield, the Archer House, Willingers and Legends golf course, and the Northfield Real Estate Fund.

Jennifer has a deep passion and commitment towards civic engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropy.  She has held leadership positions as President of the Junior League of Minneapolis, President of Thrivent Community program, President of WINGS, Founder of YMCA of Northfield, Chair of Northfield’s Sesquicentennial, and Council Member of Bethel Lutheran Church.

Entrepreneurial Grants are up to $3,000 and are given to individuals or teams to launch sustainable enterprises that create value - commercial, social, artistic and/or scientific. Funds are awarded to students for entrepreneurial projects with social and/or economic potential.

Social Innovation Grants are mini-grants up to $500 for Social Innovation Projects.

The entrepreneurial Grant program has been operating since 1992 and has given more than $500,000 to over 270 students to begin new ventures. During the 2010-2011 academic year, $15,000 was awarded to fund creation of new ventures and socially innovative ideas.

The OASIS Leadership Team meets weekly throughout the academic year.  They receive training in new venture creation and provide support to other students who have been awarded social innovation grants. The team also arranges for speakers and special events that promotes social innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.

Innovation Scholars Speaker

Philip W. Moeller ’63 graduated from St. Olaf with a Political Science degree and holds a MA from the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University and a PhD. from American University. His academic experience includes teaching and the collaboration on 20 books under the Foreign Area Studies Program. He has served as a Sr. Institutional Development Consultant to various international donors and worked in various regions. Most recently he has worked with the World Bank and countries in Eastern Europe; his current work focus is global. His specializations include capacity building, change management and innovation, client relations management, and general social and environmental impacts. He often provides lectures and conducts project evaluations and other implementation supports services.

The St Olaf Innovation Scholars program equips the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to work within the growing field of social innovation and entrepreneurship.   The program includes four main components: monthly alumni roundtable discussions, entrepreneurship & leadership skill development seminars, externship opportunities, and academic internships during interim or the summer.  

Students participating in the Innovation Scholars program are offered the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC during interim break the last week of January.  This five-day externship program allows for students to connect with alumni, shadow experts in their field of interest, and visit organizations creating new and resourceful approaches to addressing social problems.

This six-hour course will discuss and work on each section of a business plan: Company Description, Marketing, Operations, Management Structure, Future Development, Financials, and the Executive Summary.

We will meet in a computer lab where you can type up your plan, or write it in a workbook– your choice!
This Business Plan In A Day is for people who need a business plan to: