A seasoned global higher education professional and strategic thought leader, Lauren Flamer is currently a Principal within Georgia Tech’s VentureLab. Lauren has a very keen interest in innovation and entrepreneurship on a local and global scale and previously served as the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Director of Executive Programs at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Lauren’s additional professional experience includes time spent at Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, where she traveled extensively both domestically and internationally, building and cultivating strategic corporate and government partnerships and facilitating programs and workshops for senior-level executives. She received her BA in International Relations from Wellesley College and MA in Global Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. A  lifelong learner, Lauren’s vision and passion is to make a difference in the world by developing dynamic leaders and building and cultivating strategic partnerships within academic circles and across industry groups.