Title:Recapping the 2025 Georgetown Entrepreneurship Summit

The 2025 Georgetown Entrepreneurship Summit was held on November 6, 2025 in Washington, DC, with a sold-out audience of over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and changemakers in the Hoya community. The day’s programming and content was anchored by the theme of common good entrepreneurship, exploring how ventures can align purpose, profit, and human flourishing to create lasting impact. Twenty-three speakers shared their deep expertise with the audience during the day programming, which was followed by the 11th GEA Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards that evening. The Excellence Awards celebrated seven accomplished Hoya entrepreneurs who exemplify a passion for innovation and a commitment to being “people for others.” Read on for some highlights and photos from the day!

Grounding the day in common good entrepreneurship and community impact

The Summit’s opening session featured Father Quentin Dupont, S.J. (Swan Family Ignatian Assistant Professor at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business), who highlighted the belief that the goal of entrepreneurship is to promote human flourishing. Fr. Dupont then invited the audience to participate in the Entrepreneurship Examen, a tool based on the Ignatian spiritual exercise of “the Examen” to help entrepreneurs identify the deep desires at the root of their venture and witness how their venture contributes to the common good.

Next up was the Summit’s powerhouse morning keynote conversation, exploring the intersection of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community impact with Ted Leonsis (C’77, Parent’14, ’15) and José Andrés (Parent’23, ’26), moderated by Norah O’Donnell (C’95, SCS’03, HON’24, Parent’29, ’29). They discussed how the common good seeks to build thriving communities and ensure dignity and access for all. Ted and José emphasized how entrepreneurship can be a force for change by building innovative businesses that not only solve problems, but also invest in communities (as they have both done in the Washington, DC area). It was a fast-paced and dynamic conversation that offered both key insights as well as entertaining anecdotes for the crowd. 

Creating moments of connection and inspiration 

The day’s programming also featured two thoughtful, intentional panel conversations: one focused on the unique dynamics within the entrepreneur and investor partnership, and another on the value of the B Corp Certification and how the U.S. government helps to support entrepreneurship.

Four Lunch Breakout Session options offered unique opportunities for small groups of attendees to dive deeper into topics such as business branding, company culture, the common good, and innovative entrepreneurship, led by expert alumni and faculty. After the breakout sessions, Jessica Srikantia Field, Ph.D. (Academic Director and Associate Professor of Practice at the Institute for Transformational Leadership at Georgetown) led a download session on the main stage where attendees shared insights from their breakout conversations and reflections on the day. 

In addition to panels and discussions, the Summit included a series of “Hoya Talks” where speakers shared impactful stories and bite-sized lessons ranging from purpose-driven wellbeing to AI for the common good. Dan Hendrix (former CEO and Chairman of the Board at Interface) delivered the last talk on the story of Interface, a world-leading flooring company with an inspiring commitment to sustainability defined by the courage to ask why.

Closing on the right note 🎵

The closing afternoon keynote experience was led by Benjamin Zander, founder and conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and centered on how to reframe thinking into that of possibility.

Ben enthralled and delighted the audience with his sharp wit, humor, and wisdom, and concluded with a live piano performance where he demonstrated the transformative power of music for leaders. Ben’s dynamism and energy was the perfect ending to a day packed with meaningful content.

Celebrating success within the Georgetown entrepreneurship community

The Summit closed with the 11th GEA Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, which recognized the vision, passion, and drive of alumni entrepreneurs from diverse disciplines. When accepting their awards, each awardee gave a heartfelt speech in which they reflected on how their time at Georgetown influenced their entrepreneurial journey, and how they infuse common good entrepreneurship into their ventures. 

The 2025 GEA Entrepreneurial Excellence Awardees included:

• Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael Praeger (B’90), AvidXchange
• Outstanding Investor: Sherrese Clarke Soares (B’98), HarbourView Equity Partners
• Rising Star: Shavini Fernando (G’18), OxiWear
• Best of Hospitality: Geoff Tracy (C’95), Chef Geoff’s Restaurant Group
• Best of Retail and Consumer Products: Laura Yecies (MSFS’86), Osteoboost
• Best of Social Impact: Christy Keswick (B’97), Good Sports
• Best of Technology: Jonathan Carson (B’95), Antenna

The 2025 Summit was just the beginning

The 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit gathered us together to learn, collaborate, and demonstrate that entrepreneurship can be a powerful force for the common good. It was an inspiring day that connected and empowered those in the Georgetown community with knowledge, resources, and networks. Our hope is that this year’s Summit is just the beginning of a conversation around how we all can elevate and advance the idea of common good entrepreneurship. 

Thank you to our generous sponsors and vendors who made this year’s Summit a reality. Special thanks also goes to our 2025 Planning Committee for their tireless work and steady leadership: Peter Mellen (C’89, MBA’98, Parent’26,’28), Tom Raffa (B’76, Parent’10), and Eric Schwartz (B’01). Be sure to stay connected to the GEA as we continue on with our mission of building a thriving community of alumni entrepreneurs. Until next time, Hoya Saxa!