Explore technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation—and learn what it takes to turn bold ideas into reality.

Building What Doesn’t Exist: Lessons in Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

The next Whitton Speaker Series event will explore what it takes to turn ambitious ideas into meaningful innovation. Building What Doesn’t Exist will bring together perspectives on technology, entrepreneurship, and the process of creating solutions where no clear roadmap exists. The discussion will highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with identifying unmet needs, embracing uncertainty, taking calculated risks, and transforming ideas into sustainable ventures. Attendees will gain insights into the entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of adaptability, creativity, resilience, and collaboration in bringing new ideas to life. The event will also examine how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and creating new possibilities for entrepreneurs and organizations. Designed for business and community leaders, alumni, faculty, students, and staff, the Whitton Speaker Series provides an opportunity to learn from experienced leaders!

Zainab Ghadiyali '09 has built her career by stepping into problems before the path was clear - from conceptualizing Facebook's first public-health product, to leading Airbnb's re-architecture, to founding companies that break stereotypes and expand access to AI. She received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Winthrop University and master's degrees in industrial engineering and computer science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.