Thomas A. Turk, Ph.D., Dean of Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics, is pleased to announce that Mario Leone will be the new Director of the Ralph W. Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, effective December 1, 2018.

Professor Leone teaches strategy and information systems at the Argyros School, holds multiple board member positions and advises on global business and technology strategy. Dean Turk remarked that Professor Leone’s “rare blend of expertise in technology and private equity will make him invaluable to both Argyros School students and in partnership with the sciences, engineering, pharmacy and other units across campus.” Prior to teaching at Chapman University, Professor Leone spent his career as a C-level executive at FIAT, Federal Mogul and Ingram Micro and was a Senior Director at both Dow Chemical and Union Carbide.

As a Board member and advisor, Professor Leone provides private equity and venture capital guidance to start-up and mid-sized firms. He has recently facilitated successful funding from Kairos Venture Funds as well as numerous acquisitions as a partner with Huron Capital.

As Director, he wants the Leatherby Center to be a campus-wide resource where students can launch their ventures with advice and feedback from a diverse professional network of alumni and community entrepreneurs.

Professor Leone earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Biology from Boston University, followed by an MBA in Finance from Babson College.