Dina Finta – Executive Director
Dina is a successful entrepreneur, mentor and expert instructor. She joined the Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership as Assistant Director in October 2011. Since joining the IEL Team, she has performed as a lead expert instructor and course developer for many entrepreneurship classes and serves as a lead mentor for about 25 companies annually. Her depth of expertise around courseware development and sales and marketing has been key in leading thoughtful discussions with the participating student entrepreneurs and working with corporate partners. Dina currently holds the role of Director and runs the strategy execution of the IEL program along with her teaching and mentoring responsibilities. She is a certified Train-the-trainer and also holds a coaching certification and Incubator Manager certification. Previously Dina owned and ran a successful training firm based in Louisiana and Texas that focused on custom corporate training solutions.
Dina's numerous affiliations and community service activities have included serving on the Board of the YMCA, Professional Women's Network and the Partner Council of Habitat for Humanity. She was also recognized as one of Louisiana's 40 under 40 business people to watch. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Dina and her business received a Microsoft Partner Award for her efforts in providing aid to those impacted by the storm and devastating flooding that followed. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in the statewide effort to rebuild small businesses.
Raul Deju, Ph.D – Founder, Director Emeritus
Dr. Raul A. Deju is an accomplished business leader and executive, professor and author. He has served as Chairman, CEO and COO of major international public companies. Dr. Deju, a former adjunct faculty member at John F. Kennedy University and St. Mary’s College and a seasoned executive, brings his entrepreneurship experience having created small companies from a number of large companies traded in major stock exchanges as well as serving in advisory committees for the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dr. Deju is the author of over 200 peer-reviewed articles and six books and was listed in 2005 as one of the 25 Leading Hispanics in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also a recipient of recognitions for his philanthropy and social entrepreneurship in the Latino community.
Nicole Olazabal
Assistant Director
Adjunct Faculty
Sangita Patel
Independent Consultant
Ben Olmos
Independent Consultant