Entrepreneurship expert Linda Darragh returns to Kellogg

3/29/2012 - The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University today announced the appointment of Linda Darragh as executive director of the Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice and the Heizer Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital, effective July 1.

“Since announcing Envision Kellogg, our strategic framework for reshaping business education and thought leadership, we have been moving quickly from concept to action,” said Sally Blount, dean of the Kellogg School. “Today, I am thrilled to announce the creation of the Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative (KIEI), which will combine and deepen the strength of our centers of excellence related to innovation, growth and new business formation.”

“Recruiting Linda Darragh to return to Kellogg as our lead senior executive for this initiative is a significant feat,” Blount said. “Linda is a cornerstone of the Chicago entrepreneurship community and recognized globally as a leader in entrepreneurship education. She is uniquely equipped to design and direct KIEI’s operations and impact moving forward.”

This appointment marks a return to Kellogg for Darragh, who from 1999 to 2005 was part of the Kellogg entrepreneurship team. Since then, she has served as director of entrepreneurship programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she has been instrumental in furthering the teaching and practice of entrepreneurship at Booth, in Chicago and beyond.

“Finding and nurturing good ideas is the lifeblood of dynamic leadership in this century, and Linda is well prepared to build upon Kellogg’s strengths,” said Larry Levy, founder and chairman of Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, whose gift initiated the Levy Institute.

“I very much look forward to returning to Kellogg to work with students, faculty, administrators and alumni on this very important initiative,” said Darragh. “Kellogg’s entrepreneurship and innovation assets are broad and strong. I welcome an opportunity to work within a collaborative environment to maximize the practice and impact of innovation out in the world.”