Chamberlain named Meijer endowed chair

Linda Chamberlain was named the new Frederik Meijer Endowed Honors Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

She fills the position first held by Bill Holsinger-Robinson. Chamberlain is a familiar face at Grand Valley and in West Michigan’s entrepreneurship circles.

Since 2012, Chamberlain has served as director of the Michigan Accelerator Fund and has been responsible for all aspects of the Grand Rapids-based partnership that contributes to Michigan’s economy by investing in companies such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing and alternative energy.

At Grand Valley, Chamberlain works for the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence in the technology commercialization office. In that role, she co-developed a new course centered on design thinking, and provides services and resources for faculty research projects.

Chamberlain has served as executive director of Grand Valley’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She also served as senior vice president for Global Forex Trading, and executive director of what is now GR Current, a business incubator.

Jeffrey Chamberlain, director of the Meijer Honors College, said Chamberlain (no relation) brings a wealth of experience in business, design thinking and entrepreneurship to the endowed chair position.

“Linda has excellent connections with community partners, and will help students get involved with West Michigan businesses and organizations in important experiences that will make a real difference in the world,” he said.

As Meijer endowed chair, Chamberlain said she looks forward to working closely with students on individual or class projects. She will co-teach a course, “Design Thinking to Meet Real World Needs,” with a faculty member in Liberal Studies.

“I am honored and privileged to assume the endowed chair position at the Honors College and am looking forward to the opportunity to work with students in both innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Faculty and staff members are invited to a welcome reception for Chamberlain, set for Wednesday, April 1, from 2-4 p.m. in the Neimeyer Learning and Living Center, multipurpose room.

RSVP by sending an email to [email protected], or calling (616) 331-3219.