Our Team

CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION TEAM

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) serves the UNC Charlotte campus and surrounding community. 

CEI was recognized as a National Science Foundation I-Corps site in 2015 and received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Lab-to-Market Inclusive Innovation Visionary Award in 2021. The SBA-supported Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC) operates as part of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and serves 1000+ small businesses in the Charlotte region. 

CEI works with students, faculty and community innovators through a variety of programs aimed at commercializing their research, elevating their ideas and incorporating entrepreneurial thinking into the campus academic experience. 

Krista Saral

Executive Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation/Associate Professor of Economics

Devin Collins

Director of Technology and Business Support Programs

Dr. Justin W. Webb

Director of Entrepreneurship Academic Programs and Research/Belk Distinguished Professor of Business Innovation

Laura Smailes

Assistant Director

Carrie Bovill

Entrepreneurial Program Specialist

Rod Husk

Program Director, Venture Creation

Jenny Jackson

Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR)

James Smith

Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR)