Interview/Lecture: Lesa Mitchell - Interview - Kauffman Foundation

Lesa Mitchell is a vice president with the Kauffman Foundation. She is responsible for leading the Foundation's initiatives to advance innovations. Mitchell joined the Foundation in 2003.

She has been responsible for the Foundation's frontier work in understanding the policy levers that influence the advancement of innovation from universities into the commercial market. Under Mitchell's leadership the Foundation is identifying critical research opportunities, defining and codifying alternative pathways and identifying new models to foster innovation.

Prior to joining Kauffman, Mitchell's professional background included consulting for global pharmaceutical clients such as Takeda and Eli Lilly. She spent twenty years of her career in global executive roles at Aventis and Quintiles.

During this interview, Mitchell discusses her personal background as well as the recent changes and initiatives within the Kauffman Foundation. She also shares thoughts on challenges in the tech transfer process and issues facing entrepreneurs working with bleeding edge technology.

Lesa Mitchell has a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas.