Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion: Turn Your Ideas Into Possibilities

Have you ever thought about starting your own business, turning a creative idea into a career, or simply wondered what it really takes to become an entrepreneur?

Join the Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Career Center for an engaging Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion featuring three UMBC alumni who have taken very different paths to entrepreneurship. As part of the Raymond V. Haysbert, Sr. Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, this conversation will give you an inside look at the opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, and unexpected turns that come with building something of your own.

Monday, October 19, 2026 | 12–1 p.m. | University Center 312

Hear from:

Thomas Hammond ’25, CEO of Cheeky Magpie Collective, who launched his design collective during his final semester at UMBC and will share the ups and downs of building a business in its early stages.

Kedren Crosby ’96, Founder of Work Wisdom, whose unexpected path into entrepreneurship led her to build a company focused on transforming mindsets and behaviors to help people and organizations perform at their best.

Luke Roberts ’12, cinematographer, artist, and social entrepreneur, whose journey took him from mechanical engineering to entrepreneurship, filmmaking, music, and creating ventures designed to help others.

You don’t need to have a business idea or be a business major to attend. If you’re curious about entrepreneurship, creative careers, taking an unconventional career path, or turning something you care about into an opportunity, this event is for you.

Come hear their stories, learn from their experiences, and discover where your own ideas might take you.

Chrck out this event on Handshake too.

Please note: UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. If you would like to request accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreters, captioning, wheelchair access, etc.) for this event, please notify us at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests received after that time cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to make arrangements for program access. Please contact the event host (careers@umbc.edu) with your specific request and be sure to include the event title, date, and time.