The Entrepreneurial Mind and the Liberal Arts
March 11–12, 2025
This program will leverage the frameworks from both entrepreneurial thought and the liberal arts to inspire new thoughts about how individuals can mobilize vision into action and real-world problem-solving.
Program Schedule
Tuesday, March 11
Check In
9:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Pre-Function
Welcome Remarks
11:00–11:15 a.m.
Location: Elm
Keynote Address: “You’ll Never Know Unless You Try”
Elisa Strauss ’98, Founder of Confetti Cakes | Elisa’s Bio
11:15 a.m–12:00 p.m.
Location: Elm
If you are looking for step-by-step instructions for how to put your liberal arts education to work to fulfill your dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur, you won’t find that written anywhere (sorry!)
The truth is that the lack of a clear path is what makes being an entrepreneur so hard, but also so exciting and so rewarding… if you are willing to bring relentless passion, an unwillingness to take no for an answer, and a readiness to do the grunt work.
Come hear one Vassar alum’s entrepreneurship journey… from cleaning the bathroom to appearing on national TV, and everything in between.
Sessions I
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Big Ideas, Clear Messages
Location: Beech B
Arielle LaPiano ’96, Senior Consultant and Communications Strategist at PRG
Entrepreneurship isn’t just for MIT grads—it’s for anyone with an interesting idea and the drive to bring it to life. But turning inspiration into a clear, compelling message requires skill, strategy, and practice. How do you simplify your vision, make it accessible, and make sure it sticks with your audience? That’s where this session comes in. This session combines insights from communications, liberal arts and pedagogy to help you confidently convey your ideas and take ownership of your entrepreneurial presence. Whether you’re launching a startup, leading a team, or simply working to share your ideas more effectively, you’ll leave with the tools to communicate your vision in a way that people remember.
Entrepreneurship as a Mindset
Location: Beech A
Carlos Hernandez Tellez ’14, Head of UX Research at Spin
Entrepreneurship is more than launching businesses—it’s a way of thinking, questioning, and mobilizing ideas into action. This session explores how liberal arts thinking, human-centered design, and interdisciplinary problem-solving empower entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change. Through case studies, interactive exercises, and discussion, participants will learn how to identify opportunities, reframe challenges, and apply an entrepreneurial mindset to any field.
Lunch
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Location: Elm
Sessions II
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Businesses for Good
Location: Beech B
Mera McGrew ’10, Founder of Soapply
Join Mera as she shares the journey of launching Soapply, a social impact corporation that recently won the 2024 personal care Sustainable Innovation Award from Good Housekeeping and has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Food & Wine and more. Learn about bringing a product to market, building an authentic community, securing funding, navigating distribution channels, and tackling the unique opportunities and challenges of an impact-driven business today. This talk will provide valuable insights for entrepreneurs and changemakers looking to make a difference, offer an opportunity to ask direct questions about a specific idea you may have or about how products are created, tested, and distributed, and touch on how a Vassar liberal arts education has been leveraged to create and build a successful startup.
Ideas to Ventures: Scaling Impact
Location: Beech A
Carlos Hernandez Tellez ’14, Head of UX Research at Spin
How do ideas gain traction and turn into sustainable, impactful ventures? This session builds on Entrepreneurship as a Mindset, offering practical strategies for structuring initiatives, mobilizing resources, and scaling ideas while staying mission-driven. Participants will explore storytelling, ethical entrepreneurship, and alternative funding models, and engage in a hands-on exercise to map out the next steps for bringing an idea to life.
Sessions III
3:00–4:00 p.m.
Everything I Learned As A First Time Founder
Location: Beech A
Johnson Lin ’21, Lead Machine Learning Engineer at FSH Tech (Contenda)
Johnson honestly never thought about being an entrepreneur until one day, it just happened. There was a lot he was prepared for, and a lot that he could never even imagine, but as someone who built the company during his last semester of senior year, he can say for certain that his liberal arts education is at the center of it all.
As Johnson’s company goes through a final pivot (hopefully), he’s here to share his reflections and his experiences, in hopes to provide guidance and inspire others to follow a path that works for them.
How My Architectural Modeling Career Was Nurtured In the Liberal Arts
Location: Beech B
James Joslyn ’85, Sole Proprietor at Artifex Designs
James will share how his degree in Art History and other liberal arts studies at Vassar created a foundation for creative problem solving when working with world famous architects as an architectural model builder. He will also discuss how his interest in medieval architecture at Vassar spurred his creation, production and business of selling a line of earrings based on gothic rose windows. James, in sharing his experience, hopes to inspire folks to be able to see how the liberal arts can help one develop solutions to design problems based on broad creative and critical thought, like he did at times that were somewhat alien to coworkers who attended engineering schools.
Sessions IV
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Overcoming Self Doubt
Location: Beech B
Francine Lasky ʼ90, Vistage Chair and Owner of Francine Lasky Enterprises
This session will explore how overcoming self-doubt and shifting your perspective on entrepreneurship can empower you to think more boldly, take initiative, and create meaningful change—whether in business, academia, the arts, or social impact work. Through interactive discussions, reflective exercises, and real-world examples, we’ll break down common misconceptions about who entrepreneurs are and reframe entrepreneurship as a mindset rather than a job title.
Engaging High School Entrepreneurs in the Innovation Ecosystem
Location: Beech A
Shaheer Adnan, Founder and CEO of SpeakNow NY
How can we cultivate the next generation of changemakers and innovators before they even step onto a college campus? High school students are full of creative ideas, yet they often lack access to the networks, mentorship, and resources needed to bring those ideas to life. This session will explore strategies for engaging young entrepreneurs in the broader innovation ecosystem, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and connections to thrive.
Reception
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Location: Old Bookstore, Lower Level of the College Center
Dinner, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to see our Innovation Lab. 2 drink tickets for non-student attendees, cash bar option.
Wednesday, March 12
Check In
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Location: Pre-Function
Sessions V
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Thinking Outside the Lines: Creative Problem-Solving in Liberal Arts
Location: Beech A
Lisa R. Kaul, Dutchess County Legislator (District 6)
Rebecca Edwards, Town Supervisor for the Town of Poughkeepsie and Professor of History on the Eloise Ellery Chair
Local government is where real change happens—from shaping policies that impact communities to addressing pressing social and economic challenges. But how does someone take the first steps toward a career in public service? What does it take to run for office, build political partnerships, and effectively govern once elected? This panel discussion will feature leaders who have navigated the path to local government, sharing insights on campaign strategies, coalition-building, and policymaking. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges of public service, as well as actionable advice on engaging with the political process, whether as a candidate, advocate, or policymaker.
Building AI-Native Prototypes
Location: Beech B
Johnson Lin ’21, Lead Machine Learning Engineer at FSH Tech (Contenda)
No previous coding experience required.
In the modern age, everything could at least use a website. Previously, we’d use no-code solutions like Squarespace. Or for more complex ideas, build a magic wand prototype with Figma. But AI has drastically changed the path to learning to code, opening up avenues for non-technical founders to build prototypes that weren’t possible before.
Bring a laptop, an idea, the courage to learn some technical skills, and we’ll work on building out your prototype.
Sessions VI
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Innovation in Action: Funding and Resourcing Academic Projects
Location: Beech A
Alicia Atwood, Assistant Professor of Economics at Vassar College
This conversation with Professor Atwood will highlight how faculty leverage strategies to fund and resource their academic initiatives. Professor Atwood will share insights into securing grants, building partnerships, and fostering innovation in their fields. Join us to discuss the intersection of academia and innovation and learn how creative resourcefulness drives impactful research and projects.
Building High-Impact Teams: Collaboration, Culture, and Leadership
Location: Beech B
Francine Lasky ’90, Vistage Chair and Owner of Francine Lasky Enterprises
A great idea alone isn’t enough—successful ventures and projects are built by strong, dynamic teams. But how do you assemble the right group of people, foster collaboration, and create a culture of trust and accountability? This hands-on workshop will explore the fundamentals of team-building, from identifying complementary skills and aligning values to navigating challenges and fostering psychological safety. Participants will engage in interactive exercises to assess team dynamics, improve communication, and develop leadership strategies that support innovation and long-term success.
Sessions VII
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Knitting Together Design, Data, and Art: Inventing, Storytelling, and Making Things that Matter
Location: Beech B
Asy Connelly, Co-Founder of The Tempestry Project & Inventor, Needle Wranglers
Emily McNeil, Co-Founder of The Tempestry Project
What began as a joke about preserving ephemeral online data using ancient traditions turned into The Tempestry Project, a creative business that blends fiber art, data visualization, and environmental activism. In this talk, Asy and Emily will share how an idea with humble beginnings grew into a nationally recognized project with numerous exhibitions in museums, schools, and public spaces. They will also discuss the nuts and bolts of seeing a product through from concept to distribution. This talk will explore how inventing, storytelling, and making things that matter can lead to surprising places.
Lunch
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Location: Elm
Connections Expo: Conversations for What’s Next
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Beech
As The Entrepreneurial Mind and the Liberal Arts signature program draws to a close, join us for Connections Expo: Conversations for What’s Next—an interactive expo designed to help you take your next steps. Over the course of two hours, participants will have the opportunity to connect with local and campus resources, engage with experienced mentors, and explore opportunities to further develop their ideas and ventures. Whether you’re seeking guidance, collaboration, or inspiration, this is your chance to build meaningful relationships and chart your path forward.
Closing Remarks
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Location: Elm
Keynote Speaker

Elisa Strauss ’98
Founder, Confetti Cakes
Elisa founded Confetti Cakes in 2000. She is a graduate of Vassar and the Institute of Culinary Education. Her creations have appeared on numerous television shows and has appeared over ten times on the Food Network, including the “Extreme Cake Challenge” where she won the grand prize. In 2008, Pastry Art and Design selected Elisa as one of America’s Top Ten Pastry Chefs. In 2023, Elisa appeared as a contestant on Gordon Ramsey’s Food Stars on Fox, where she battled it out with fellow entrepreneurs in the food and beverage space.
Presenters
Johnson Lin ’21
Co-Founder of FSH Tech

Johnson started working on a company called Contenda with his cousin during his winter break of senior year. Somehow managing to also attend his final classes, Johnson secured the first contract that led Contenda to close a pre-seed round before graduation. Through the years, Contenda has gone through many different iterations, now officially becoming FSH Tech, a platform serving back office software for long tail municipalities.

Arielle LaPiano ’96
Arielle has made a career translating complex ideas into communications that have helped companies and executives thrive in challenging environments. She has strategized and executed communication, brand, and marketing initiatives to help teams, companies, and individuals make an impact. At Vassar, double majored in International Affairs and French and lived in Raymond with a pet bunny. She later went on to get her Master in International Affairs from The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University.
Creator of Francine Lasky Enterprises

Francine Lasky ’90
Francine began her journey as the president of a family business, where she discovered the transformative power of curiosity in action. A natural motivator, enthusiastic capitalist, and intentional leader, Francine Lasky created Francine Lasky Enterprises in order to deliver skills and tools to ambitious business leaders. A strong believer in the power of community, Francine is a Vistage chair for engaged individuals committed to growth and discovery at any stage of their careers.
Designer and Researcher

Carlos Hernández Tellez ’14
Carlos is a designer and researcher with more than 10 years of experience, specializing in design thinking and research to create human-centric digital products. He has worked at companies like Fjord (part of Accenture Interactive), Nubank, Wise and Rappi, and is currently Head of UX Research at Spin, a Mexican fintech focused on democratizing financial services in Latin America. A lifelong learner and advocate for diversity, he believes inclusive teams drive innovation, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

Emily McNeil
Emily grew up and spent most of her life in New York. She learned to knit in her late 20s from an insistent grandmother. After moving across the country and meeting Asy Connelly, they both moved back to the East Coast. She currently works in the Vassar College library by day, and spends evenings supporting community climate education and activism through fiber art.

Asy Connelly
Asy grew up in rural Washington State in the shadow of Mt. St. Helens. She worked her way north through Washington State, and ended up in Anacortes, WA where she met Emily McNeil. She currently manages the Vassar Innovation Lab after moving to NY in 2021. To date, she has never met a problem she couldn’t solve with a spreadsheet, as evidenced by the Tempestry Project.
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