BOSTON—The Harvard Business School (HBS) Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship has announced its Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIR), Venture Capital Advisors (VCA), and Legal Specialists (LS) for the 2025-2026 academic year.
At the heart of the Rock Center’s work are its Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. These seasoned founders and executives are deeply embedded in the HBS ecosystem, serving as mentors, coaches, and thought partners for students building the next generation of ventures. Appointed by the School, EIRs bring hard-won experience as leaders who have founded, scaled, and exited companies across industries including climate, robotics, artificial intelligence, technology, consumer products, healthcare, biotech, and media.
Throughout the year, the 16 EIRs, 14 of whom are HBS alumni, will meet one-on-one with MBA students, facilitate Rock Center programs, and collaborate with faculty on research and course development. Their insights and accessibility make them an unparalleled resource for students navigating the entrepreneurial journey.
Alongside the EIRs, the Rock Center will also welcome its Venture Capital Advisors and Legal Specialists. VCAs, who are managing and general partners from leading global firms, guide students on fundraising, pitching, and business models, and serve as judges for the annual Student New Venture Competition. LSs, representing top law firms, meet with students to advise on incorporation strategies, founders’ agreements, intellectual property, and other critical issues.
Together, these three groups of experts form a powerful support system, ensuring HBS founders have access not only to the curriculum and funding opportunities the Rock Center provides, but also to practical, real-world guidance from those who have built, financed, and advised successful ventures.
Founded in 2003 by legendary venture capitalist Arthur Rock, the Rock Center continues to strengthen HBS’s position as the leading hub for entrepreneurship education, innovation, and venture creation.
This year’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence are:
Gil Addo
SVP, CVS Health (via Oak Street Health’s acquisition of RubiconMD)
Formerly: Xerox, Cubist (acquired by Merck)
José Vicente Aguerrevere
Co-Founder and CEO, Takeoff Technologies
Formerly: Día Día Practimercados (co-founderand CEO), Booz Allen Hamilton, Merrill Lynch, Procter & Gamble
Andrzej Baraniak
Founder and CRO, Albert
Formerly: Boston Consulting Group
Nadia Boujarwah
Co-Founder and Former CEO, Dia & Co. (acquired by FullBeauty Brands)
Formerly: Perella Weinberg Partners (investment banking), Frieda and Nellie (COO and CFO)
Eric Boutin
Founder, Harvard Street Advising
Formerly: Redesign Health, dRx Capital (Novartis), Evolve (acquired by HubSpot), Good Start Genetics (acquired by Invitae), Flex Pharma (IPO)
Carolyn Childers
Co-Founder and Former CEO, Chief
Formerly: Handy; Coupang; Soap.com (acquired by Amazon); Victoria’s Secret; Avon Products; Deutsche Bank
Carissa Bryce Christensen
Founder and CEO, BryceTech
Formerly: QxBranch (acquired by Rigetti), The Tauri Group (acquired by LMI), CenTauri Solutions (acquired by CSC)
Rana el Kaliouby, Ph.D.
Co-Founder and CEO, Affectiva (acquired by Smart Eye)
Formerly: MIT Media Lab
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Blue Tulip Ventures; Host, Pioneers of AI
Maria McClay
Founder and CEO, 9 COMMONS
Formerly: Gucci (general manager Northern Europe), Google (Fashion and Beauty Cloud, digital marketing), McKinsey
Shirish Nimgaonkar
Founder and CEO of eBlissAI
Formerly: Nanoheal (president), Alantra (managing director- investment banking), Intel, Scion Photonics (acquired by JDS Uniphase)
Carlos Reines
Co-Founder and Former President, RubiconMD (acquired by Oak Street Health/CVS Health)
Formerly: Telefónica, Siemens Medical
Kenneth Salas
Co-Founder and CEO, nuDesk
Formerly: Camino Financial (acquired by competitor), Palladium Equity Partners, Barclays Capital
Avni Patel Thompson
Founder and CEO, The Commons Company
Formerly: P&G, adidas, Starbucks, Poppy (YC-backed)
Shara Ticku
Co-Founder and CEO, C16 Biosciences
Formerly: Goldman Sachs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, United Nations, Progyny
Amy Villeneuve
Board Director: Reframe Systems, Rgo Robotics, Rapid Liquid Print, Resurety, Ori, Humatics
Formerly: COO and President, Kiva Systems (acquired by Amazon for $775M → Amazon Robotics), VP Amazon (led integration), EVP Cross Country Automotive (now Agero), the Parthenon Group, GM Delco, Stoneridge
Joshua Yguado
Co-Founder and CEO, Jam City
Formerly: Fox Entertainment, MTV Networks, Univision
This year’s Venture Capital Advisors and their current companies are:
Kent Bennett
Bessemer Venture Partners
Alice Brooks
Khosla Ventures
Tina Bou-Saba
CXT Investments
Payal Divakaran
.406 Ventures
Tasneem Dohadwala
Excelestar Ventures
Dawn Dobras
Capital F
Richard Dulude
Underscore VC
Rob Go
NextView Ventures
Rick Grinnell
Glasswing Ventures
Kanu Gulati
Khosla Ventures
Sarah Hodges
Pillar VC
Nimi Katragadda
BoxGroup
Juan Luis Leungli
Tectonic Ventures
Lisa Lewin
Primary Venture Partners
Wendy Lim
Burst Capital
Jennifer Neundorfer
January Ventures
Jackie Shoback
1414 Ventures
Brittany Davis Wilson
Backstage Capital
This year’s Legal Specialists are:
Larissa Bifano
DLA Piper LLP (US)
Steve Cagnetta
Company Counsel
Alexander Civetta
Mintz
Jeff Goldman
Goldman & Partners
Matthew Reardon
Goodwin