Turning the Light On Entrepreneur Week: The Speakers

As the best and brightest gather to foster an inventive entrepreneurial culture in New Orleans, they will be encouraged by the words of some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders. These are men and women whose innovation, innate knack for spotting and seizing opportunities, and ability to lead—regardless of setting, from billion-dollar businesses to pioneering policy institutes and professional sports franchises—have propelled them to the forefront of their respective fields. They imbue us with a sense of action as well as a desire to create lasting impact through the translation of great ideas to an even better reality. And luckily, all share a common interest in seeing the “New” New Orleans thrive, setting an example for the rest of the nation to follow. All week, their voices will be heard. Their words will represent the principles that form the foundations of Entrepreneur Week. Most importantly, their ideas will inspire us to action.

Welcome Speech by Walter Isaacson, Monday, March 22
Walter Isaacson is the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies institute based in Washington, D.C. Through its renown seminars, conferences, and leadership development initiatives, the Aspen Institute seeks to promote enlightened leadership, as well as the pursuit of common ground and deeper understanding. In addition to being the author of several critically acclaimed biographies, Isaacson has been the Chairman and CEO of CNN and the editor of Time Magazine.


Speech by Dr. Scott Cowen, Monday, March 22
The Idea Village welcomes Dr. Scott S. Cowen, Tulane University's 14th President, to round out the speeches on Monday. Dr. Cowen has been largely responsible for reviving and redefining New Orleans at the educational level, turning Katrina into a catalyst for innovative renewal. He spearheaded one of the largest university fundraising efforts in the history of Louisiana and has guided the implementation of innovative academic and research program initiatives at Tulane University, as well as an increased focus on community outreach. He also holds joint appointments as the Seymour S Goodman Memorial Professor of Business in Tulane's A.B. Freeman School of Business and Professor of Economics in the School of Liberal Arts.


Speech by Mark Cuban, Monday, March 22
Mark Cuban is an American entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks. The founder and owner of several extremely successful businesses, Cuban embodies the entrepreneurial vitality that is now burgeoning in New Orleans.


Check back in tomorrow as we continue with the speaker series! And remember:

IT’S ON IN NOLA!