Celebrating Five Years of Excellence: Innovation Academy's Milestone 10th Module

Innovation Academy, a pioneering executive education program tailored for professionals in business development, licensing, and commercialization, reached a significant milestone this month with the delivery of its 10th module. For the past five years, this program, co-developed and led by Diana Schwartzstein, Vice President, Innovator Development and Growth Division (IDGD) at Mass General Brigham Innovation, and hosted at Babson College, has been empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge essential for driving commercial success and fostering collaborative innovation.

Innovation Academy provides a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, with each module meticulously crafted to provide participants with personalized development opportunities. Led collaboratively by Babson faculty and Innovation staff, Innovation Academy’s content is carefully curated to maximize impact, ensuring that participants gain invaluable insights and practical skills relevant to their roles. The program also prioritizes encouraging cross-team collaboration beyond the workplace, aiming to bridge relationships across teams and enhance overall effectiveness. 

Innovation Academy's impact extends beyond individual skill development; it has been credited with improving staff retention and job satisfaction within the Innovation team. Moreover, it drives actionable innovation by equipping participants with essential competencies such as financial valuation, storytelling, and negotiation.

At the heart of Innovation Academy's success is a dedicated team committed to its continuous evolution and effectiveness. Led by Schwartzstein and supported by program manager Lindsay DeSimone, the planning team, including Nimra Taqi, Mike Freni, Emilie Braun, PharmD, and Sai Karthik Kodeboyina, PhD, has been instrumental in shaping the program. Special recognition is also due to Wendy Murphy, PhD, associate dean and professor of management at Babson College, who has played a crucial role as the program faculty lead since the program’s inception, driving its success with her expertise and dedication.

Looking ahead, Innovation Academy is poised to continue its transformative journey, with plans for further expansion and refinement. With its proven track record of success and dedication to excellence, the program remains at the forefront of driving commercial innovation and empowering professionals to thrive in today's dynamic business environment.