University of New Haven's Elevation Center Launches Executive-in-Residence Program to Connect Students with Industry Leaders

The University of New Haven's Elevation Center today announced the launch of its new Executive-in-Residence (EIR) program, an initiative designed to connect accomplished business leaders with students, faculty, and industry partners while strengthening the bridge between higher education and the workforce.

The program brings senior executives from a diverse range of industries into the university community to provide mentorship, classroom engagement, industry insight, and strategic guidance. Through direct interaction with students, Executive-in-Residence participants will help prepare graduates for successful careers while contributing valuable perspectives on emerging trends, workforce needs, and innovation.

"The Executive in Residence program exemplifies The Elevation Center's commitment to connecting students with experienced industry leaders who have built companies, launched products, transformed organizations, and led teams through growth and change," said Paul Lavoie, vice president of corporate partnerships and innovation and executive director of The Elevation Center. "Our students gain access to the kind of mentorship, professional guidance, and industry relationships that accelerate career readiness and help them become better than ready for the future of work."

The university’s Elevation Center is being established in a 133,000 square foot commercial space the university acquired adjacent to its West Haven campus. Supported by private donors and public support, the Elevation Center is being developed to serve as a catalyst for innovation, workforce development, talent acceleration, and industry engagement. Renovation of the space is expected to begin later this year.

The Elevation Center’s Executive in Residence program is built on four engagement pillars:

• Student Mentorship through coaching, office hours, and career guidance.
• Classroom Integration through guest lectures, capstone mentorship, and real-world problem solving.
• Industry Connection through internships, corporate partnerships, and sponsored student projects.
• Strategic Advising through curriculum guidance, workforce trend insights, and perspectives on emerging technologies.

Each Executive-in-Residence contributes approximately 30 to 50 hours annually and brings more than 20 years of professional leadership experience. The program is designed to host 10 to 15 executives across a broad range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, finance, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

The inaugural cohort includes accomplished leaders whose expertise spans engineering, finance, technology, innovation, leadership, and organizational development and includes:

Chris Barone, Executive in Residence for Advanced Manufacturing, Product Innovation & Engineering Leadership, bringing more than 37 years of experience in product development, manufacturing, and engineering leadership.

Steve Cohn, Executive in Residence for Finance, Manufacturing & Growth Strategy, a veteran chief financial officer with extensive experience across public and private companies.

Andrew Lavoie, Executive in Residence for Finance, Risk & Audit, whose expertise includes enterprise risk management, internal audit, governance, and artificial intelligence governance.

Mary J. Rose, Executive in Residence for Leadership, Strategy & Organizational Performance, a business strategist and executive coach focused on organizational growth and leadership effectiveness.

Eric D. Stone, Executive in Residence for Leadership & Organizational Culture, founder and CEO of Clear Path Ventures and a nationally recognized leadership strategist and author.

Katherine Blair Sullivan, Executive in Residence for Enterprise Technology & Digital Transformation, an executive with extensive expertise in Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and technology-enabled business transformation.

Gary Velotta, Executive in Residence for Innovation & Career Development, a seasoned technology and business executive with more than four decades of experience in sales, marketing, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship.

Collectively, these executives provide students with access to seasoned leaders who have guided global manufacturing operations, led financial transformations, built high-performing cultures, launched innovative products, managed enterprise risk, driven technology adoption, and developed growth strategies for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

The Executive-in-Residence Program aligns with The Elevation Center's mission of strengthening talent development, accelerating innovation adoption, and creating meaningful partnerships between academia and industry. By embedding executives directly into the student experience, the program provides authentic learning opportunities that complement classroom instruction and expand professional networks.

Participating executives benefit from formal university affiliation, access to emerging talent, opportunities for thought leadership, and engagement with fellow industry leaders, while students gain direct exposure to C-suite-level expertise, career mentorship, and real-world business challenges.

For more information about the Executive-in-Residence Program or opportunities to participate, contact Paul Lavoie, Vice President for Corporate Partnerships and Innovation, at PLavoie@newhaven.edu.