Designing Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Ariel Powell is a strategy consultant in Atlanta, GA and a co-author of the Duke and RTI Building Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem research report. She received her MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and undergraduate degree from Howard University. At Fuqua, Ariel served as a Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fellow, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce Associate Board Member, and President of Duke’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Association. She is hopeful that strategic research, action, and investments will improve entrepreneurial action and economic for underserved communities.  

Jamie Jones is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Management at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, the Executive Director of the Fuqua Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), and a co-author of the Duke and RTI Building Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem research report. She received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee. Jamie is the co-founder of Impact Engine, an investment firm dedicated to bringing more capital to a market where financial returns are linked to positive social and environmental impacts. Jamie also serves as Managing Partner at Flywheel Innovation, a consultancy that supports corporation seeking to grow through innovation. Jamie believes everyone has entrepreneurial potential but not everyone has equal opportunity to unleash that potential, and she is committed to helping break down barriers to taking entrepreneurial action.  

Kirk Wilson is an HR professional in Seattle, WA and a co-author of the Duke and RTI Building Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem research report. He received his MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and undergraduate degree from The George Washington University. At Fuqua, Kirk served as a Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, SEEDS NC Associate Board Member, and Co-President of Fuqua's Net Impact and Food & Agriculture clubs. He is committed to advancing equitable policies that recognize and uplift under-resourced communities.