News Item

Year Joined:  2005

Laura Hoffman Lee brings significant corporate and higher education administration experience to her role as Administrative Director of The Entrepreneurship Program.  Her experience in the corporate sector included roles with functional responsibilities including strategic planning, marketing, operations, and financial planning primarily in the financial services sector but also at a publicly traded internet services company.  She spent 11 years at American Express including 3 ½ years in the small business division as a Marketing Vice President working on the customer acquisition process, the customer experience, interactive community building, launching the OPEN Network sub-brand, and advocacy for small businesses.  She first joined Columbia University as Director of Employer and Alumni Relations at the Center for Career Education in July of 2003.  Laura joined The Lang Center so that she could continue the work she started at American Express supporting the efforts of entrepreneurs.

Laura's responsibilities include oversight of the day to day activities and offerings of the Program including management of the budget.  She is currently focused on the development of a new strategic plan for the Program as well as research to understand the entrepreneurial activities of Columbia Business School alumni. 

She also plays a central coordination role in the Lang Fund  for portfolio companies and is partnering with the Womens Entrepreneurs Network  (WEN) to develop a robust programming schedule for alumnae and other female entrepreneurs.

Laura holds a BA from Yale College and an MBA from The Wharton School.

Year Joined:  2001

Mayra Reyes’ professional experience includes strategic outreach, print/radio/television media, staffing, marketing, development, and operations management.  Prior to joining Columbia University, Mayra worked for the Center for Creative Leadership [CCL] as a client liaison in support of its well-known leadership and creativity programs.

Her current role primarily focuses on communications and administration of various programs, events, and services including the Columbia Family Business Network, The Columbia Business School Entrepreneurs Network (CEN), The Greenhouse Program, The Entrepreneurial Sounding  Board and the Lorne A. Weil Outrageous Business Plan Competition.

She serves as an information resource to prospective students, current students, and alumni. She also develops text and video content, for the Program’s website, FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and is a writer, contributing editor, and producer of the Entrepreneurship Update electronic and print newsletters which are published three times a year.

Mayra has lead several strategic initiatives for The Lang Center including the re-branding efforts of the School at the Program level. She also partners with the business school and University's public relations offices to enhance media visibility for the Program’s events, its students, and alumni entrepreneurs.

Mayra is a member of the 100 Hispanic Women Chapter, a member of the Family Firm Institute and is an advocate at Columbia Business School for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

Mayra holds a BA from Emmanuel College and an MS from Columbia University.

Year Joined: 2009

Lauren brings experience from Duke Corporate Education where she held a Program Manager role. At Duke CE, Lauren acted as the liaison between the faculty, client and vendors. She assisted the design and development of customized executive education and coordinated the logistics for program deliveries.

Her current role includes the administration and support of Center events including the Fall Venture Fair, The Global Social Venture Competition, the Spring Venture Showcase and Lang Fund Process, as well as the Columbia Community Business Program.

Lauren received a BA from Duke University in 2007.