Mark L. Gesner

Biography

Mark Gesner, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Director of the Hub for Innovation and Community Engaged Learning where he leads the creation and implementation of programs focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, experiential education, and community development. He co-founded and directs Mission Fuel, a business accelerator for nonprofit leaders, hosts the Mission-Driven Leader Speakers Series, and leads the University team supporting Project Pitch It, a TV program showcasing Wisconsin entrepreneurs.  He previously served as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and as the Faculty Chair of Community Engaged Learning and Leadership in the College of Business and Management.

Dr. Gesner presents and conducts seminars locally and globally in the areas of leadership, social innovation, community engagement, and intercultural competency. As an Assistant Professor, he has created and taught a variety of classes, including Management Across Cultures, Leadership of the Self and Systems, and Discovering Home, a freshmen seminar for international students.  He recently co-authored his first book, entitled, Your Life is Your Message: Discovering the Core of Transformational Leadership (SAGE).

Prior to his current role, Dr. Gesner served as the Director of Community Development for the University of Wisconsin – Parkside where he oversaw programs in workforce development, diversity initiatives, youth mentoring and program evaluation.  Before his career in higher education, Dr. Gesner served on the local, regional and national level for Hostelling International – USA, an organization dedicated to educational travel and cross-cultural exchange.  

Dr. Gesner earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Journalism from the State University of New York at Albany, a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University, and a Doctoral Degree in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education from Cardinal Stritch University.

Education

• B.A., Albany, University at
• Ed.M., Harvard University
• Ph.D., Cardinal Stritch University

Expertise

* Strategic Partnerships
* Social Innovation and Impact
* Transformational Leadership
* Intercultural Competency
* Program Evaluation

Publications & Presentations

Prepare to be Investor Ready                                      2020   Panelist, Wisconsin Governor’s Economic Development Conference on                 
Social Impact Investing

Advancing Sustainability through a Social Innovation Mindset                     2020
Presenter, College of Menominee Nation Faculty Development Institute

Discovering Your Life’s Message                                     2019
Article Co-Author, Live Encounters Magazine

Your Life is Your Message: Discovering the Core of Transformational Leadership         2019
Book Co-Author, SAGE Publishing, Business & Management Division

It’s a Zoo Outside, Lead from the Inside                                 2019
Co-Presenter, Medical College of Wisconsin Community Engagement Conference

Tapping into a New Democracy: Can Smarter Technology Help Forward              2019
Civic Engagement that Counts?
Co-Presenter, Wisconsin Campus Compact Civic Engagement Institute

Social Entrepreneurship                                          2018
Panelist, Urban Economic Development Association of Wisconsin, Inc. Conference

Got Innovation? How to Disrupt the Status Quo Through Community Engaged                         2018
Learning and Leadership
Co-Presenter, National Engaged Scholarship Conference

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in the United States: Innovative Applications             2018
Presenter, GITAM Institute of Management International Conference on
Technological Innovations in Management Ecosystems

Merging Civic Engagement into the Rank and Tenure Process                                2018
Co-Presenter, Wisconsin Campus Compact Civic Engagement Institute


Stritch Talks: This is Engagement!                                     2018
Co-Convener, Cardinal Stritch University Academic Conference

Fostering International Education Partnerships and Peace in Times of Turmoil             2017
Presenter, National Engaged Scholarship Conference

Fostering International Education Partnerships and Peace in Times of Turmoil             2017
Presenter, Wisconsin Campus Compact Civic Engagement Institute

Your Life is Your Message: Pathways to Servant Leadership                     2017 
Presenter and Workshop Facilitator, India Higher Education Tour at Nizam College,
GITAM University, Delhi University, and the National Institute of Rural Development