Connections
Established in 1978, the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs is the world’s first entrepreneurship hall of fame. Since its inception, the academy has honored 98 entrepreneurs who have created great economic and social value, with nominations coming from both inside and outside the Babson community. This past fall, Babson inducted Dorothy Cann Hamilton, founder and CEO of the International Culinary Center, and Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe’s, founder of Daily Table, and CEO of Conscious Capitalism. For more information, event photos, and a list of former inductees, visit www.babson.edu/ADE.
This fall, Babson also held its first regional Rocket Pitch event in Los Angeles, during which alumni entrepreneurs were invited to pitch their business ideas to an audience of students, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers. Following the format of the original Rocket Pitch, each entrepreneur received three minutes and three PowerPoint slides to deliver the differentiating elements of his or her business idea. Be sure to join one of the next regional Rocket Pitch events in cities across the U.S. Learn more at www.babson.edu/rocketpitch. —Lindsay Magoon, associate director, advancement communications
Photo: Joseph Nadel ’19
Dorothy Cann Hamilton spoke to the attendees of the 2015 Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs (ADE) dinner, saying, “My passion is food. I didn’t think about being an entrepreneur. I just did what I loved.”
Photo: Joseph Nadel ’19
ADE-recipient Doug Rauch (second from left) stands with (from left) President Kerry Healey; Andrew “Zach” Zacharakis, John H. Muller Jr. Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies; and Candida Brush, P’14, vice provost of global entrepreneurial leadership.
Photo: Jason Shaw
From left, Jason Reuben ’07, overseer; Lynn Santopietro ’96, director of Babson’s San Francisco campus; Will Lamb, Murata Dean of the F.W. Olin Graduate School; and friend of Babson Behrooz Broukhim enjoyed the exciting presentations and networking reception for the Los Angeles Rocket Pitch event at the SLS Beverly Hills hotel.
Photo: Jason Shaw
Rocket Pitch presenters cannot answer questions during their pitches, so an open networking reception followed the event, allowing audience members to connect with entrepreneurs.