by Joseph Janda
July 24th 2023
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Dear PSU Family, Advisors, Partners, and Friends,
For the last ten years, we have supported Oregon college entrepreneurs and have always taught them to embrace change as they embark on the entrepreneurial journey. We know that change will lead to exploring new markets, partnerships, and new ventures.
Today we embrace that change for ourselves. The PSU Center for Entrepreneurship is bidding farewell to our director and champion, Juan Barraza. While it is bittersweet to see him take on a new journey, we are excited to see him open a new chapter in his career — while continuing to serve as a mentor for entrepreneurs — as the Director of Innovation at Portland-based VertueLab, where he will lead the Innovation and Entrepreneurship team.
During his seven years at the Center, Juan has helped support hundreds of college innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs through programs including the PSU Cleantech Challenge and Invent Oregon. During his tenure, he led the celebration for college innovators who have filed more than ten patent applications and raised more than $10 million in funding. Juan’s big thinking, dedicated work and infectious enthusiasm, grew Invent Oregon from an idea into a statewide program that inspired hundreds of student inventors from urban and rural institutions and will continue to impact the future of the state’s economy for years to come.
“Working with students at Portland State and across Oregon has been the great honor of my career and I will always carry a great deal of pride for the role that PSU plays in this city and our state,” Juan says. “I know that I leave the Center for Entrepreneurship and our flagship programs in excellent hands and that our brilliant students will continue to find the best support for their ideas.”
Abigail Van Gelder is the Assistant Director at the center, and she will be handling the transition from Juan’s leadership
Please join me in wishing Juan all the best.
Sincerely,
Joseph Janda
Assistant Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies
Portland State University