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From building multiple airplanes in high school to revolutionizing metal recycling, Ian Wiese’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and passion. As the President of , a foundry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Ian is reshaping the landscape of circular metal value chains with a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. The Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC) is pleased to announce that Ian is returning, after participating in ��-��ǰ����™ in 2018, to bring his expertise, curiosity, and passion to our community, joining us as entrepreneur-in-residence.

A Foundation in Engineering and Materials Science

Ian’s fascination with problem-solving began early. In high school, he built two full-size, flyable airplanes as part of a class project. This hands-on experience steered him towards engineering, leading him to pursue a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

“I figured if I could do both, I’d be covering both steps,” Ian explains, reflecting on his decision to combine these fields. This interdisciplinary approach would prove invaluable in his future endeavors.

Connecting with the LEC: From Metallurgy to Entrepreneurship

After graduation, Ian quickly found himself working as a metallurgist in a brass and bronze foundry, gaining hands-on experience in metal casting and international consulting. A metallurgist is a scientist or engineer who studies and works with metals to develop and improve materials for various uses, ensuring they are strong, durable, and suitable for specific applications.

Ian’s entrepreneurial journey took off through conversations with his cohort mates from Northwestern University, where he completed a Master of Engineering Management degree. They had begun working on a startup focused on developing innovative water treatment solutions. Ian researched the materials involved, figured out how to work with them and started making them in the lab, resulting in him becoming the CTO and Co-founder of Numix Materials.

Ian and his team at Numix Materials participated in the ��-��ǰ����™ program at the LEC. “That’s actually how I got introduced to the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center,” Ian recalls. After ��-��ǰ����™, Ian’s involvement with the LEC grew organically over time. He began by advising student groups and contributing his expertise, eventually becoming a more integral part of the center’s ecosystem. “I just kept coming in. I like to come in and add value. I don’t really care what I get out of it,” Ian says, reflecting on his journey with the LEC.

A New Paradigm in Business

At the helm of , Ian implements a long-term, sustainable approach to business management. When asked how he will avoid the flaws he sees in current systems, Ian responded “I’m not going to think I’m so smart that I can architect a beautiful system. I need to put together a set of conditions that allows for emergent systems to flourish, emergent innovation.”

His business operates from three main priorities, always satisfied in order:
1. The betterment of the human beings that make up the business
2. The betterment of the people and environments with which the business interacts
3. Making a profit for the company

“If we can’t make a profit while being good for the people we are and the people we interact with and the environment we interact with, we have no right to make any profit,” Ian asserts.

Continuing Innovation: Inspiring the Next Generation

Ian’s latest focus is on addressing the critical shortage of gallium and germanium, essential metals for semiconductor manufacturing. With China controlling 90% of the world’s supply, Ian sees an opportunity to innovate and create domestic sources for these crucial materials. As part of this focus, Ian is looking forward to a project to clean up old mining resources in Kosovo, a country in Southeast Europe.

In addition to his work at , Ian has come full circle, now teaching entrepreneurship and innovation at Northwestern University. He brings his real-world experiences and unconventional approach to the classroom, inspiring the next generation of innovators.

“I live entrepreneurship all day, every day,” Ian says. “And then I turn around and I teach it at night to students.”

Enthusiasm In Joining the LEC Community As Entrepreneur-In-Residence

As Ian joins the LEC as Entrepreneur-In-Residence, he’s particularly drawn to the LEC’s core belief in the importance of community. He emphasizes that entrepreneurship is not about rugged individualism but rather about being part of a larger network that supports and uplifts one another, “…you know, ‘the entrepreneur is the pinnacle of rugged individualism’ [speaking on his initially held beliefs], that could not be further from the truth. That is the antithesis of the truth. Entrepreneurship requires an ecological consciousness,” Ian asserts. This mindset aligns with LEC culture, fostering collaboration among aspiring entrepreneurs from various backgrounds.

Ian appreciates how the LEC empowers people from all walks of life to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. He notes that most people come to the center by choice, actively seeking knowledge and opportunities for personal growth.

“It’s the 500 people that come through here that change the world. That’s where the difference is made … they’re actively trying to better themselves and, in the process, they’re actively bettering the community around them and if I can help with that in any way shape or form, I’m down,” Ian states.

Ian’s journey from a curious high school student to a pioneering entrepreneur and educator exemplifies the power of innovative thinking and perseverance. His approach to business, focusing on long-term value creation and human-centric systems, offers a refreshing alternative to traditional corporate models. As he continues to push the boundaries of metallurgy and entrepreneurship, Ian is not just solving today’s problems but shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for industry and society alike.

We are thrilled to welcome Ian to our community as an entrepreneur-in-residence. His extensive experience in metallurgy, innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurship will be an invaluable asset to our community. Ian will be involved in various initiatives, including our mentoring sessions, and innovative workshops. We look forward to the fresh perspectives, technical expertise, and wealth of real-world experience that Ian will bring to our team.

As we embark on a new academic year, the 51���� Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC) is thrilled to share our vision for fostering innovation this 2024-25 academic year. Building on our multi & interdisciplinary approach and commitment to nurturing ideas, we’ve identified three key themes that we believe are crucial to innovation and the LEC’s mission in the upcoming year: Designing Your Life, Sustainability, and Artificial Intelligence.

Design Your Life: Innovation as a Personal Journey

Innovation isn’t just about creating new products or services; it’s also about designing better ways of living and working. The “Design Your Life” approach encourages people to apply “” principles to their own lives and careers. We believe this mindset is crucial for fostering adaptable, resilient innovators who can thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The Design Your Life philosophy encourages innovators to approach their personal and professional development with the same creativity and iterative thinking they apply to their projects. This might involve prototyping different life scenarios, testing assumptions, and being willing to pivot when necessary. By treating life choices as a series of experiments, you can navigate uncertainty more confidently and discover unexpected opportunities.

This approach also emphasizes the importance of aligning your work with your values and passions. We believe that when innovators can integrate their personal purpose with their professional pursuits, they’re more likely to create meaningful, impactful innovations. We also believe that people who design their life are better equipped to design solutions that truly enhance the lives of others.

Sustainability: Innovating for a Better Future

In an era of increasing ecological challenges, sustainability has become a critical consideration in any innovation process. We believe truly impactful innovations must not only solve immediate problems but also contribute to long-term environmental and social sustainability.

We encourage innovators to adopt a holistic approach that considers the entire lifecycle of their products or services. This includes considering sustainable sourcing of materials, energy-efficient processes, waste reduction strategies, and the potential for circular economy models. By integrating sustainability into the core of innovation, we can develop solutions that create value while minimizing environmental impact.

We see sustainability as a rich source of opportunities as well. From renewable energy technologies to sustainable urban planning, from eco-friendly materials to waste reduction solutions, the quest for sustainability is driving some of the most exciting and impactful innovations of our time. By focusing on sustainability, we prepare to address some of the most pressing global challenges while also tapping into growing markets for sustainable products and services.

Artificial Intelligence: The Frontier of Innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of innovation across all sectors. At the LEC, we recognize AI as a powerful tool that can amplify human creativity and problem-solving capabilities. By integrating AI into our innovation processes, we aim to unlock new possibilities and push the boundaries of what’s achievable.

The rapid advancement of AI has sparked both excitement and apprehension about its potential impact on society. While some concerns have been raised about AI’s far-reaching implications, it’s crucial to approach these technologies with informed optimism. Current technological limitations^1-4 and robust ethical guidelines^5-7 serve as safeguards against highly unlikely, speculative scenarios. Instead, we view AI as a transformative force designed to enhance human capabilities and improve quality of life.

AI offers unparalleled opportunities for data analysis, pattern recognition, predictive modeling, and more. These capabilities empower innovators to identify emerging trends, anticipate challenges, and develop more effective solutions. By automating routine tasks, AI frees entrepreneurs to focus on high-level strategic thinking and creative problem-solving, areas where human insight remains irreplaceable.

As we move forward, the LEC is committed to demystifying AI and exploring the knowledge and skills necessary to harness its potential responsibly. We envision AI not as a replacement for human innovation, but as a tool that can amplify our creative and problem-solving abilities, opening new frontiers of possibility in entrepreneurship and beyond.

Bringing It All Together

Our three themes – Designing Your Life, Sustainability, and Artificial Intelligence – form the cornerstone of our approach to innovation at the LEC for the 2024-25 academic year. By embracing and integrating these elements, we aim to cultivate an environment where a new generation of innovators are equipped to leverage cutting-edge technologies, address global challenges, and design fulfilling lives and careers. Through this approach, we’re eager for collaboration and continuing to drive meaningful change.

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Joining the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center teaching team this fall is Tiffany Yvonne.

Tiffany is a Certified Public Accountant turned successful entrepreneur. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Tiffany has navigated the realms of insurance, residential rental investments, and youth sports camps, before founding , a boutique leadership development firm. As a certified life coach and team leadership coach, she has worked with industry giants like TransUnion and United Airlines, specializing in curing burnout and fostering team cohesion. With a strong grasp of transformational leadership, emphasizing joy and self-awareness, Tiffany proclaims that great leadership, embodies three non-negotiables Trust, (self)-Leadership, and Connection (TLC). We’re elated to have Tiffany join us at the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC) as an entrepreneur-in-residence. Her story is a testament to the power of innovation and the willingness to evolve in one’s career.

Overcoming Challenges

Tiffany’s professional journey has been anything but linear. A CPA by trade, she spent years as a self-proclaimed “numbers nerd” before taking the entrepreneurial leap in 2004. Over the past 20 years of entrepreneurship, Tiffany has navigated diverse ventures, from owning an Allstate agency to running a youth sports camp. Through it all, she has faced her fair share of challenges, including the 2008 market crash that forced her to liquidate her entire real estate portfolio in 2012.

However, Tiffany’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. Rather than returning to the corporate grind, she decided to stay on the entrepreneurial path. This decision led to the creation of Purposeful Play, a youth sports camp focused on building leadership skills and life skills in young people. This was her introduction to the LEC.

As part of the inaugural Student Startup Challenge cohort, Tiffany honed Purposeful Play which used basketball, soccer, tennis, track, and swimming as vehicles to bring in young people. This innovative approach not only marked Tiffany’s introduction to the LEC before it was officially established but also set the tone for her future endeavors in entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Recognizing and Combating Burnout

Yet, even as Tiffany found success with Purposeful Play, she couldn’t shake the feeling of burnout. “People think burnout only happens in corporate jobs, but you can burn out as an entrepreneur probably twice as fast. It’s harder to maybe recognize because you’re doing something that you love,” she says. Tiffany mentions she was “well paid, well-traveled, and well-miserable.”

Tiffany’s journey to combat burnout began with a poignant realization while driving on the expressway. She recognized that while creating enriching experiences for her children, she felt trapped by her lifestyle. This epiphany led her to develop the concept of “planning for your pause,” emphasizing the importance of regularly unplugging and reassessing one’s goals and feelings. Tiffany challenges the prevalent “grind culture” mentality, asserting that “well-oiled machines don’t grind, they flow.”

“Right before the pandemic, I was really burned out. I looked around, and there were a bunch of other moms who were also like facing burnout, really, like, financially successful, but emotionally and physically just spent,” Tiffany explains.

The pandemic, ironically, helped catapult “She Plays,” as people were suddenly craving the joy and connection it offered. Tiffany began working with large corporate clients like TransUnion and United Airlines, helping their employees find purpose and balance. However, she soon realized that “She Plays” was more of a program than a comprehensive brand. This led to the creation of “Playmaker Solutions,” a boutique leadership development firm focusing on personal and professional growth, with an emphasis on supporting women leaders. As Tiffany’s vision evolved, so did her relationship with the LEC.

LEC Welcomes Tiffany as Entrepreneur-in-Residence

What began as a simple act of donating time to a space that inspired her gradually transformed into a deeper connection. Collaborating with Tiera Trammell, LEC Program Manager, she contributed to various workshops and events, including “Social Good Morning” and the “Black Women’s Feminist Symposium,” driven by a desire to create positive experiences rather than monetary gain. This approach ultimately led to an invitation to become an entrepreneur-in-residence at the LEC, reinforcing the idea that following one’s passion can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Tiffany’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and the importance of prioritizing well-being alongside professional success. Her experiences serve as a powerful reminder that the path to success is not always linear, and that the willingness to evolve and adapt is key to navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

We are incredibly grateful to have Tiffany join our community as an entrepreneur-in-residence. She will be involved in our 51���� Startup Challenge, Launch & Lunches, Talk Series, and more. Her commitment to fostering joy, purpose, and balance in the lives of professionals will undoubtedly inspire and shape the future of our community. We look forward to the unique skills, deep knowledge, and wealth of experience that Tiffany will bring to our team and are excited to see the lasting impact she will have on a new generation of leaders.