Iona University’s Hynes Institute Inspires Next Generation of Entrepreneurs During Two-Day Entrepreneur Talk (E-Talk) Series
The two-day Hynes Institute E-Talk Series featured guest speakers from across the business and innovation sectors.
At Iona University, students graduate not only with the practical skillset necessary to succeed in their chosen field, but with the knowledge of what it looks like to become intentional leaders among their peers.
In this spirit, the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosted its annual two-day E-Talk series on March 4-5, bringing leading entrepreneurs in their respective industries to campus to share insights, spark innovation and mentor the next generation of business leaders.
The event featured eleven guest speakers:
- Eddy Cruz (Founder, Nine26)
- Jean Anne Menna-Cruz, BSN, RN, CHPN (Hospice Nurse & Author)
- Anne Sansevero (Co-Founder, Home Care Wizards)
- Romelia Flores (Distinguished Engineer & Master Inventor, IBM), Mike Shute ’02 ‘03MSBS, Senior Architect, Master Inventor - Governance, Risk and Compliance Tooling and Maria Tapia ’89, IBM Retiree
- Joshua Riley (Owner-Operator, Chick fil-A Scarsdale)
- Matt Rizetta ’05 (Founder, Underdog Global Partners)
- Alena K. Powell ’95 (Event Specialist, A. Powell Enterprise)
- Paul L. Gunn (Founder, KUOG Corporation)
- Joy Malone (Photographer, Joy Malone Photography)
View the E-Talk series on the Hynes Institute YouTube
A hallmark of the Iona experience, the latest installment of the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation’s E-Talk series at Iona provided students across all disciplines with the unique opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders who are redefining the business sector.
Iona University alumnus Matt Rizetta discussed community and risk-taking.
Throughout the series, speakers explored themes of community, innovation, and intentional leadership. Matt Rizetta ’05 emphasized the value of community and risk-taking, Anne Sansevero encouraged students to identify gaps in the market while using AI responsibly, IBM panelists highlighted how diverse perspectives fuel innovation and Joy Malone reminded students that storytelling, intention and perspective are powerful assets in building a brand.
Intentionally designed to be highly interactive, the sessions allowed students to ask pointed questions about the challenges of scaling a business and the tenacity required to succeed in competitive markets.
The E-Talk series highlights Iona University’s commitment to providing a transformative education that extends far beyond the classroom, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset that prepares students for their future careers.
Christoph Winkler, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of real-world mentorship.
When reflecting on the impact of this year’s program, founding program director and endowed lecturer at the Hynes Institute Christoph Winkler, noted:
“We are extremely appreciative for each of the speakers who took the time to engage with our students and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs,” Winkler said. “Their presence on campus provides our students with the unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders’ real-world experiences, fostering the entrepreneurial mindset that is at the heart of everything we do within the Hynes Institute.”
Author and nurse Jean Anne Menna-Cruz discussed intentional leadership and healthcare entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneur and founder of Nine26 Eddy Cruz shared his insights with Iona University students.
IBM experts Romelia Flores, Mike Shute ’02 ’03MSBS, and Maria Tapia ’89 lead a panel discussion on innovation and governance.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.