Scott Holley appointed director at Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute

The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah has a new leader.

Scott Holley has been named executive director of the institute, which is part of the university’s David Eccles School of Business. He succeeds Troy D’Ambrosio, the institute’s founding executive director. D’Ambrosio will continue to advise the institute while also working as the university’s vice president for innovation and chief of staff for the president’s office.

Holley is an entrepreneur with a background in the outdoor industry, business consulting and venture capital and has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the UofU. He was one of the first student leaders at what is now called the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute in 2001, the year it was established, when he was an undergraduate student at the Eccles School. He also earned an MBA from Harvard University.

“It has been thrilling to me to watch the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute grow into one of the most important and influential entrepreneurship institutions in the nation,” Holley said. “When I was a student leader almost 25 years ago, I could only have dreamed of what the Lassonde Institute has become. I am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to join the university to keep the traditions and momentum alive as the institute grows in Utah and abroad. I am grateful for the very capable students, staff and leadership that have grown the one program I led as a student into the best entrepreneur center anywhere.”

“Scott has a rich background and strong connections to the David Eccles School of Business and University of Utah that make him perfectly suited to this position and the opportunity to continue building our world-class entrepreneur institute,” said Kurt Dirks, dean of the Eccles School and leader of the search committee. “We look forward to Scott’s energy, ideas and experience as we grow our past success and look for new ways to give even more students an opportunity to learn entrepreneurship by doing and to gain an entrepreneurial mindset for any career they choose.”

Holley’s career includes serving as a managing director and founding team member of Harken Capital, a boutique investment bank that helps venture capital and private equity clients raise funds to pursue investments in small, growing companies. Before Harken, he was a strategy consultant for Monitor Group (now Deloitte Consulting) and OCC Strategy Consultants.

Prior to his Lassonde appointment, Holley sold Eddyline Kayaks to Jackson Kayak, after leading the company since acquiring it in 2017.

“My time at the University of Utah and the David Eccles School of Business launched my career that provided me with several experiences that have prepared me for this new challenge,” Holley said. “I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to help grow the mission of the Lassonde Institute. I want to do everything I can to give the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders experiences to help them succeed. I invite everyone to get involved in these exciting programs.”

D’Ambrosio grew the Lassonde program from a single program engaging a handful of students to an internationally renowned center and thought leader that engages approximately 500 student startup teams and 6,000 students per year. He also led the creation of Lassonde Studios, a student innovation and living/learning facility.

“I’ve had the incredible opportunity to lead an organization with a mission that I am passionate about while also having enormous support from Pierre Lassonde, his family and many others,” D’Ambrosio said. “I remember Scott when he was a student leader of our first program. He was determined, passionate and tireless — important qualities for any entrepreneur and ones he has grown over time. He is a great person to lead the institute and maintain the mission of transforming student’s careers and lives through entrepreneurship.”

Holley’s appointment comes at the same time as the Lassonde Institute announced another $25 million donation from Pierre Lassonde and the Lassonde Family Foundation. The donation doubles their gifts to support programs and scholarships for student entrepreneurs. The appointment also comes as the institute anticipates its 25th anniversary next year.