MEET JULIE LENZER
Julie Lenzer is a tried and true entrepreneur. At a young age, she’d hold carnivals in her backyard and charge an entry fee. Lenzer also relocated her dad’s recliner to the front yard and charged a nickel for spins in the chair.
That spirit combined with the innate drive to figure out how to make things better set her up for a career path helping entrepreneurs make things better. Today, Lenzer calls it “Possibility Thinking.”
She is excited by possibility, which often takes the form of helping people get out of their way and to have energy, passion, and excitement for what is possible. Specifically, Julie works with start-ups, entrepreneurs, and organizations in the tech industry, helping them get unstuck, jump-start innovation, adjust mindset, re-energize leadership, and create stronger teams.
Currently, Julie is working her magic in the academic world as the Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Maryland. She organizes and oversees UMD’s entrepreneurial programs, tech-transfer, and research and innovation all under one roof.
If you know Lenzer, you’ll know it doesn’t stop there. During her time at UMD, she launched the Terp Entrepreneurial Network, “Pitch Across Maryland,” (a state-wide bus tour that rallies entrepreneurs and connects them with business resources), secured grant dollars, and stirred innovation across the state.
Lenzer is also working on her Master’s of Machine Learning, where she hopes to help advise businesses on artificial intelligence and related technologies.
Follow Julie on Twitter and LinkedIn.
HIRE JULIE
Julie is available for in-person or remote speaking
and consulting engagements.
FOUNDER
Built a successful software company helping Fortune 100 manufacturers manage and analyze their operations and supply chains.
CATALYST
Developed the Regional Innovation Strategies program (now called Build to Scale). Deployed $40M across the US resulting in 8,000 new jobs and over $1B in capital raised by and for startups.
ACTIVATOR
Co-founded Startup Maryland and Pitch Across Maryland state-wide bus trip, which inspired Steve Cases's Rise of the Rest cross-country bus tour.
DIPOLMAT
Represented the US as the lead for the Innovation Task Force to the G20 held in Beijing, China. Facilitated a session at the World Economic Forum on building ecosystems for entrepreneurship.
ADVISOR
Appointed to run the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and act as Special Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
CONNECTOR
UMD's first Chief Innovation Officer, brought in to unleash innovation. This has involved breaking down silos, removing friction for partners and startups, and setting and executing a bold vision to catalyze economic impact from students, faculty and alumni.