Google former senior executive, Carley Graham Garcia, has been appointed executive director of the university\u2019s Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, effective Sept. 3, 2019.<\/p>\n
Garcia spent the last 12 years at Google, most recently as Head of External Affairs, responsible for public policy, government relations and community engagement for the New York City region, including New Jersey. She succeeds Dennis Bone, the Center\u2019s founding director, who retired after serving in that role for six years.<\/p>\n
Greg Cant, dean of the Feliciano School of Business, said Garcia\u2019s leadership will usher the Center into a \u201ccritical second phase,\u201d one that looks more externally to connect and serve the broader Montclair community, while preparing students for future workforce demands. Cant said Garcia\u2019s experience at Google, building community relationships, brings valuable business connections as the Center works to expand its network of partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is really an exciting chapter,\u201d Cant said. \u201cShe\u2019s going to really help imagine and create what we\u2019re going to do as we prepare people for the skill sets that will be essential for the careers of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bone said, “I’m thrilled to be passing the baton to Carley. She has the perfect mix of innovative and entrepreneurial skills to take the Center into its next stage. She will do amazing things.”<\/p>\n
Garcia said the Center\u2019s second phase will put more focus on resilience, whether as an individual, a business, an industry or community.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can only learn if you can build, then pivot and change,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want to teach students the skills not only to survive, but to thrive in a constantly changing business landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n
Launched in January 2013 as part of the Feliciano School of Business, the Center seeks to provide students with tools to turn creative sparks and innovative ideas into successful ventures. It offers a concentration in Entrepreneurship, a minor in Entrepreneurship, a Certificate of Entrepreneurship and a Certificate in Innovation Design.<\/p>\n
The Center facilitates the 5,200-member Montclair Entrepreneurs Meetup group, and created Women Entrepreneurship Week, a global movement celebrated in 2018 at universities in 32 countries and 46 states.<\/p>\n
Garcia first became involved with the Center in 2018, visiting the MIX Lab innovation center, meeting with leaders and students, and presenting at the Women Entrepreneurship Week Conference.<\/p>\n
She said the new role marries her passion for business, policy and the community, offering her an opportunity to help develop connections with employers and cultivate workforce skills to drive economic growth across the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will also be razor focused on increasing investment in Montclair State University, the Center for Entrepreneurship and our programming like Women Entrepreneurship Week, which has been modeled all over the globe,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n
Garcia also plans to expand events, attracting business leaders that reflect the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis should be a place where students can see themselves, and where they can feel inspired and empowered to create,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Prior to joining Google in 2007, Garcia was the Director of Advertising Sales at National Journal Group in Washington, D.C. She has also held positions at The Atlantic<\/em>, National Journal and The Advisory Board Company.<\/p>\n Garcia earned a BA from Georgetown University, an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University and is currently on leave from Harvard\u2019s Kennedy School of Government, where she is pursuing a Mid-Career Master\u2019s in Public Administration.<\/p>\n She lives in Montclair with her husband, son and daughter.<\/p>\n