Dan Wadhwani has been named as the new director of the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies starting July 1. Wadhwani is the Jill Brooks-Garnett Teaching Chair in Entrepreneurship, director of research and graduate programs, and professor of clinical entrepreneurship at the Greif Center. He has received numerous teaching awards and published in leading journals on management and business history, and offers a combination of scholarly depth, teaching excellence, and entrepreneurial engagement.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the Greif Center’s reputation as a pioneer in human-centered approaches to entrepreneurship,” Wadhwani said. “That pioneering spirit is especially important in the context of the changing world we now face.”

Prior to joining USC Marshall, Wadhwani held the Fletcher Jones Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of the Pacific and taught at Harvard Business School, where he was recognized for excellence in teaching. Since coming to Marshall, he has launched innovative courses such as BAEP 455: Founder’s Dilemmas and BAEP 477: Entrepreneurial Imagination, and has led the Founder Central Initiative, a dynamic platform for course development, research symposia, and postdoctoral mentoring.

Wadhwani’s work bridges scholarship and practice. He served as a venture partner at Impact/Velocity VC, developed accelerator programs, and mentored numerous founders through both academic and community-based initiatives.

“His leadership reflects a deep commitment to entrepreneurship education that is rigorous, inclusive, and grounded in real-world impact,” said Greys Sošić, senior vice dean for faculty and academic affairs, in a statement shared with the USC Marshall community.

As director, Wadhwani will oversee the Greif Center’s academic and research initiatives, working with faculty, students, and partners to further advance the center’s mission and expand its impact across USC and beyond.

“The Greif Center has long emphasized that people and relationships are at the heart of the entrepreneurial process,” he said. “I hope to build on that core insight, which I think is especially important at this moment in time.”

Wadhwani succeeds Elissa Grossman, professor of clinical entrepreneurship, who has served as director of the Greif Center for the past six years. During her tenure, Grossman expanded the center’s reach and visibility both within and beyond USC, led the creation and revision of numerous undergraduate and graduate courses, and oversaw the development of new offerings tailored to multiple student populations, including veterans, online learners, and professional athletes. Grossman also helped guide the development of the MS Integrated Design, Business and Technology (IDBT) program at Iovine and Young Academy, authored award-winning teaching materials, and mentored students and faculty alike.

“Widely recognized for her excellence in teaching and innovation — including honors such as the USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching and the USASBE Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year — Elissa leaves behind a legacy of dedication, creativity, and impact,” Sošić said in an emailed statement.