Loyola University Maryland

Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Our Team

Director

Wendy BolgerWendy Bolger, MBA, became Director of Loyola’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in July 2018. Her career has spanned public and private sectors, including experiences as an entrepreneur starting her own firm, managing technology product development, and launching new initiatives and teams for nonprofit organizations.

The enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship at Loyola is tremendously energizing for her, and promising for the University’s future. Through the Center, she looks forward to applying Loyola values to serve the community, in support of job creation and wealth creation for underrepresented entrepreneurs in Baltimore. She was named to Technical.ly’s inaugural RealLIST Connectors roundup of those building Baltimore’s tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation community by linking others, with the goals of growth and inclusivity.

To make an appointment for student office hours with Wendy, visit our scheduling page.

Read more about Wendy

Entrepreneur in Residence

Bill Romani

Bill Romani became Entrepreneur in Residence of Loyola’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in November 2018 and will manage the innovation and entrepreneurship curriculum at Loyola. Dr. Romani brings years of experience as a nonprofit executive and university professor who has helped start and develop companies and nonprofit organizations that have a clear focus on social justice. With his background as a social entrepreneur in multiple fields and as an academic, Dr. Romani will bring an important perspective to the Loyola community and help enhance conversations that will grow the footprint and impact of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. 

To make an appointment for student office hours with Bill, visit our scheduling page.

Read more about Bill

Program Administrator

Jennifer Sullivan

Jen Sullivan became Program Administrator for Loyola’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in March 2022. She was previously an executive assistant and program coordinator for Loyola College of Arts and Sciences and Pre-Health programs, and before that marketing director for several event venues and bed & breakfasts owned by a successful woman entrepreneur in the Baltimore area. Jen earned her M.A. in emerging media at Loyola in 2021 and is excited to provide administrative and program support for the CI&E's initiatives.

Startup Legal Advisor in Residence

Swata GandhiSwata Gandhi is corporate attorney at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP. Swata is a corporate and transactional attorney with over 20 years of experience and works with businesses of all sizes to assist businesses with significant transactions that help them adapt to the marketplace and support their daily operations. Swata is experienced in counseling and assisting clients on a range of matters, from protection and commercialization of intellectual property and licensing agreements to entity formation and restructuring. Swata Gandhi has spent the last 12 years as an in-house lawyer, including most recently as the General Counsel, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of DAP Products Inc., a leading manufacturer of caulks, sealants, spray foams and other home improvement products. Swata is an active board member with MedStar Harbor Hospital, the Center for Urban Families and Higher Achievement-Baltimore. In addition, Swata was a recipient of the Distinguished Women's award by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, a Top 100 Woman in Maryland and Leadership in Law both by the Daily Record.

To schedule an appointment for office hours with Swata, please contact Jen Sullivan.

Startup Executive in Residence

Mustafa Mustafa Wahid is an award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of TransitioningU, an early-stage educational technology start-up, whose mission is to transform a billion students' lives within the next decade. During his time at Loyola, Mustafa served as a member of Green and Grey, the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu club, and the starting goaltender for the Loyola Club Roller Hockey Team. He earned his B.S. in biology/psychology from Loyola University Maryland. He did his graduate work at the University of Baltimore as the first to be enrolled in both the prestigious entrepreneurship fellows program and the MBA program. Mustafa is proud of being the first in his family to go to college.

To schedule an appointment for office hours with Mustafa, please contact Jen Sullivan.

Office Hours

Are you interested in meeting with Director Wendy Bolger or Entrepreneur in Residence Bill Romani to review your project and learn how to get involved with the Center? Visit our scheduling page to view the calendar and pick a date. If you can't find a time that works with your schedule, email jlsullivan4@loyola.edu to discuss options.

Student Teams

Student Steering Committee 2022-23

savoy

 

 

Savoy Adams '23 

"I like to think as Baltimore as a crab. If you've never eaten a crab before you won't know by just looking at it. You have to sit at the table.Listen to the people tell you and follow. Once you open the crab you discover all of the great things the crab has to offer. All of the goodness can happen only on one condition. You have to crack the crab open!" -Kondwani Fidel

 

Autumn Banks

Autumn Banks '23

"God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers." - Unknown 

 

Gil Carlson

 Gil Carlson '23

 

Caitlin Dempsey

 Caitlin Dempsey '23

“Changes call for innovation, and innovation leads to progress.” - Li Keqiang

Abeisha Jeyavijithan

Abeisha Jeyavijithan '25

"If I had asked the public what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse." - Henry Ford

Lauren

Lauren Miller '23

"Innovation is where imagination meets ambition." - Anonymous 

"Take any challenge as a creative opportunity." - Alexandra Watkins

Dante Pascale

 Dante Pascale '23

 

Luke Schulz

 Luke Schulz '23

 

Bridget Shanley

 Bridget Shanley '25

 

AJ Tolentino

 AJ Tolentino '23

 

Evelyn Williams  

Evelyn Williams '24

 

University Innovation Fellows 2021-22

  • Elena Johnston, ‘24
  • Juan Lopez, ‘24
  • Joshua Rafferty, ‘24
  • Kelly Reynolds, ‘24

Learn more about University Innovation Fellows.




Bill smiles in portrait photo in front of Alumni Chapel.
Faculty Expert

Combining service and entrepreneurship

Bill Romani, Ph.D., entrepreneur in residence, hopes to expand innovation and entrepreneurship at Loyola through academic programs.