December 16, 2025 – Race to Innovation Dr. Roy Zwahlen and UGG Founder Brian Smith

Dr. Roy Zwahlen – Author of Race to Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurship For Everyone Who’s going to be the first solo preneur Unicorn company where there’s an employee of one because of AI agents that have been created to help stand up and run that company, whether that’s possible or not, time will tell. Dr. Roy Zwahlen is a strategic innovation leader and author with deep expertise in innovation strategy, entrepreneurship, and translating research into real-world impact. He currently serves in leadership roles at the Eshelman Institute of Innovation and the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, where he drives innovation strategy, partnership development, and operational excellence in therapeutics and digital health while advancing strategic partnerships and risk management in academic and translational environments. Dr. Zwahlen’s work bridges innovation ecosystems, impact capital, and entrepreneurial communities to expand access and opportunity for diverse innovators. He co-authored Race to Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurship for Everyone, a book that highlights how inclusive entrepreneurial practices and diverse perspectives can unlock transformative opportunities and economic value across society. Through his writing, leadership, and innovation practice, Dr. Zwahlen champions entrepreneurship that is accessible and empowering for people from all backgrounds. Brian Smith – Keynote Speaker & Founder of UGG You have to have a certain amount of ignorance to be a good entrepreneur, because if you did all the research and knew what was ahead, you would never start. And my ignorance was that everyone in Australia is born with thick skin knowledge. Dr. Roy Zwahlen is an innovation strategist, academic leader, and co-author of Race to Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurship for Everyone, a book that explores how inclusive entrepreneurship and diverse perspectives drive breakthrough innovation. He serves in senior leadership roles at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the Eshelman Institute for Innovation, where he focuses on innovation strategy, translational research, venture development, and building partnerships that move ideas from discovery to real-world impact. With experience spanning higher education, healthcare innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, Dr. Zwahlen works at the intersection of research, risk, and opportunity to expand access to innovation for founders from all backgrounds. His work emphasizes practical pathways for entrepreneurship, institutional change, and scalable innovation that creates both economic and social value.