• Linda Wells, 10-Year executive director of entrepreneurial studies at Stanford Graduate School of Business joins David Eccles School of Business in dual leadership role for Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation, Full-Time MBA Program

Feb. 23, 2011-The David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah today announced that Linda Wells will leave the Stanford Graduate School of Business to join the school’s leadership team. At the school of business, Wells will serve in the dual role of director of the full-time MBA program and of the Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation.

“We are delighted that Linda has decided to join the school of business as an integral member of our leadership team,” said Taylor Randall, dean of the David Eccles School of Business. “This is a tremendous win, not only for the school and the students we serve, but also for Utah’s dynamic entrepreneurial community.”

Wells served more than 10 years as executive director of the Stanford Graduate Business School’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, a program that provides opportunities for students, faculty and practitioners to collaborate in supporting the development of hands-on entrepreneurship-related education courses. During her time in this role, Wells helped direct the creation and implementation of courses and programs and provided counsel and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs at Stanford. Under her leadership, the center developed from infancy to its current stature as a mature, highly respected program.

“The David Eccles School of Business has an excellent foundation in its talented leadership, stellar faculty, and committed staff,” said Wells. “I am looking forward to working with this great team in piloting and implementing best practices in business education. I’m thrilled to be part of this team and of Utah’s vibrant business community.”

Wells’ leadership will help build upon the influence of a university that has already established a rich legacy of innovation. In 2010, the University of Utah-home to such innovative programs as the University Venture Fund, the University Impact Fund and the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Center-spun off more startups than any other university in the U.S., after tying with MIT for top honors in 2009. The Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation, an interdisciplinary center named after the legendary late inventor and entrepreneur James LeVoy Sorenson, further expands upon the university’s rich legacy by supporting research and events that foster the development of compelling discoveries and innovations. Students at the David Eccles School of Business also benefit from its strong ties to Utah’s business community; in 2010, the state was named by Forbes as the best U.S. state to do business.

Prior to her leadership role at Stanford, Wells was director of product management at Informed Access Systems, a healthcare IT startup. She also worked as a project engineer for DuPont. She holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech University.

Wells’ starting day is May 1, 2011.

About the David Eccles School of Business

Founded in 1917 in Salt Lake City, the David Eccles School of Business has programs in entrepreneurship, technology innovation and venture capital management. Emphasizing interdisciplinary education and experiential learning, it launched the country’s largest student-run venture capital fund with $18.3 million, and is home to the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Center and the Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation. Approximately 3,500 students are enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate and executive degree programs, as well as joint MBA programs in architecture, law and health administration. For more information, visit http://www.business.utah.edu .