About the Center

The Jill Ker Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center is designed to prepare Smith students to become different kinds of entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators who engage with the world beyond the campus.

The Jill Ker Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center builds on the programming of Smith’s Women and Financial Independence program, a successful initiative that was launched in 2001.

Launched in Fall 2016, the Conway Center is a hub where students receive the tools to think expansively and develop innovative solutions to pressing problems. The Center hosts and facilitates a slate of programs and activities focused on creative thinking, problem solving, and interdisciplinary teamwork as well as the development of financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.

Monica Dean, Director
Previously the administrative director of the Lawrence N. Field Programs and Center for Entrepreneurship at Baruch College, City University of New York, Monica continues to provide students with opportunities to hone their entrepreneurial skills. Her courses have specifically focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and teaching students about women and entrepreneurship. Prior to Baruch, Monica was a senior vice president at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a national not-for-profit founded by Harvard Business School Professor Michael E. Porter, and an associate with Booz, Allen & Hamilton. She holds an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley and a BS in civil engineering from Howard University.

Jennifer Kennedy, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer joined Smith College in August 2018. She serves as the primary contact for external offices and students. She spent nearly a decade working in intercollegiate athletics on three Division III campuses and in a conference office. Jennifer has an MEd from Springfield College and a BA from Cedar Crest College - where she is a lifetime member of the Alumnae Association and the Class Agent to the Class of 2007.

Student Interns

	Maha Awaisi ’21 Maha is currently a senior double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. She is a co-captain on the South Asian fusion dance team, SC Masti, and tutor for computer science classes. She is excited to help promote the activities at the Conway Center and learn more about entrepreneurship and innovation this year!
	Serena Keenan '23 Serena is a sophomore and resident of Talbot House majoring in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies. She is currently the Assistant Features Editor for the Sophian and works on Labrys, the college's literary magazine. She is excited to be more involved with campus through the CIEC and she hopes to learn more about various opportunities through the center.
	Talia Deady ’21J (Fall 2020) Talia is a senior majoring in Classical Studies. She lives in Morrow House and she is also SGA Vice President. Her favorite part of working at the CIEC is getting to learn about all the competitors at the Draper Competition and how creative they are.
	Christie Lee ’22 Christie Lee is in the class of 2022. She is an art major (who is hoping to double major with computer science). Whenever Christie is not studying you can find her playing the violin!
	Theo Dean-Slobod ’21 (Spring 2021) Theo is a resident of Sessions House. She is majoring in economics and minoring in engineering. She is currently treasurer for the A Capella group The Noteables. She is excited to learn more about the innovative projects that Smith Students undertake through CIEC, and hopes to be able to support the upcoming entrepreneurs in Smith's community.
	Ileanna Garcia ’22 Ileanna is currently a junior majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. Ileanna is part of the website administrators team and is excited to work at the Conway Center to learn more about interdisciplinary opportunities.

	Lily Jin ’22 Lily is a junior at Smith, double majoring in Statistics and Quantitative Economics. She is currently involved in the investment club and Sazanami. Lily has decided to intern at CIEC this semester because she really interested in helping with the function of the center and all the events that Conway provides.

	Sara Kragness AC Sara is an Ada Comstock Scholar who hails from the Midwest. She is an American Studies major with a focus in Social Movements with a minor in Film and Media Studies. Sara hopes that her time with the CIEC includes getting to know more about our programming, helping others learn about merge their personal work with the CIEC services, and growing alongside the communications team.
	Danielle Davis ’21 Danielle Davis is a senior double majoring in economics and Spanish. She is a student liaison for the Economics Department. The Conway Center has been her second home on campus where she’s been able to conduct research regarding entrepreneurship offerings at peer institutions, learn technical skills like Excel and Bloomberg, and expand her network of passionate entrepreneurs.
	Vivian Ma ’22 Vivian is currently a junior majoring in Economics. She lives in Haven House, and is involved with multiple clubs such as Investment Club, Asian Student Associations, Consulting Club, First Generation Student Alliance, Chinese Student Associations. She is excited to work at the CIEC because of the leadership skills, like communication.
	Finn Murray ’21 Finn is a senior majoring in English and minoring in Government. She enjoys working at the CIEC because she has learned so many vital real life technical, communicative, and financial skills that, as an English major, she had never given much thought; and because it helps her to develop a healthy work ethic in a friendly and supportive environment.
	Chichi Wu ’22 Chichi Wu is a junior Statistical & Data Sciences and Art History double major with a concentration in Global Financial Institutions at Smith College. She has co-founded the Blockchain Initiative which aims to introduce blockchain resources and curriculum to Smith, so that more women and people of diversity will have a seat at the table in the future, as decentralized technologies rewrite the story of all industries.