January 18, 2012
PLEASANT HILL, Calif. – John F. Kennedy University’s Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership (IEL) has partnered with Heritage Bank of Commerce® to provide a valuable lecture series delivered by powerful, world-class speakers. The seminar series will take place at JFK University’s Pleasant Hill campus located at 100 Ellinwood Way. Guest speakers will include small business sustainability expert Jill Osur, business book author Bill Wiersma, and Dafna Kory, founder of INNA Jam.
The series begins January 17 and runs most Tuesday evenings through March 13, 2012. Topics cover lending and legal aspects of business and an array of more specific industry topics like Green Businesses & Commercializing Government Technologies.
“We believe these types of programs provide small businesses with the opportunity to engage and learn from expert leaders in important and useful topics,” said Dr. Raul Deju, Director of the IEL. “These small seminars are not just lecture based but encourage discussion through question and answer periods. We are excited that Heritage Bank has sponsored the series so we can include local small businesses at no cost to them.”
“As a community business bank, we are continually looking to partner with organizations that support small businesses and encourage local economic growth,” stated Walt Kaczmarek, President and CEO at Heritage Bank of Commerce. “The IEL offers one of the most robust entrepreneurial growth programs available today, and we are pleased to be partnering with them on this new seminar series. The interactive format provides local entrepreneurs with the opportunity to grow and invigorate their business through access to world-class speakers and top business leaders from around the country.”
JFK University’s Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership program is a high-impact, powerful certificate program designed to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs effective tools to start, grow, and invigorate their enterprises. Through the IEL, entrepreneurs receive hands-on instruction, one-on-one mentoring, and access to investors, advisors, and strategic partnerships.
The Institute is also partnering with the Keiretsu Forum, the world’s largest group of angel investors, and the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center to maximize the strength of its associated Business Accelerator, creating resources to help young and new businesses principally in the East Bay.
“This is another great example of a public-private partnership that is effectively contributing to our local economy by fostering business development and job growth,” Deju added.