Lauder Business School welcomed Dr. Maritza T. Adonis as Visiting Professor for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, bringing international expertise in business strategy, regulatory affairs, and venture development to students in Vienna.

In mid-October 2026, Lauder Business School (LBS) welcomed Dr. Maritza T. Adonis, J.D., LL.M., MBA, MCIArb, for an intensive course in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Through her experiential curriculum, Building Global Ventures: Regulation, Strategy & Resilience, students explored what it takes to develop, launch, and navigate a business in an increasingly complex global environment.

From Business Ideas to Global Ventures

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course placed students in the role of entrepreneurs. Working on a single business venture throughout the programme, they developed and refined their ideas step by step, from identifying market opportunities and planning international expansion to navigating regulatory challenges, geopolitical uncertainty, and unexpected crises.

The experience culminated in a virtual Global Venture Showcase, where students brought together the strategies and insights developed throughout the course.

International Expertise Meets Practical Experience

Dr. Adonis brought a distinctive combination of academic knowledge, entrepreneurial experience, and international policy expertise to the LBS classroom.

A legal scholar, business law professor, entrepreneur, and institutional strategy advisor, she serves on the faculty of Westcliff University's College of Business and is the Founder and CEO of MTA Visions LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based advisory firm.

Her professional background spans academia, business, and public policy. She previously served as Executive Vice President for Policy, Advocacy, and Government Affairs at the American Sustainable Business Network, representing approximately 250,000 businesses, and as a Research Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center's Denny Center for Democratic Capitalism.

Beyond her institutional roles, Dr. Adonis has coached more than 50 entrepreneurs and contributed to international entrepreneurship initiatives. She was selected by the U.S. Department of State for its inaugural U.S.-China entrepreneurship and innovation exchange in Shenzhen, China.

Her international teaching experience has also taken her to institutions including Sciences Po in France, Yonsei University in South Korea, Universidad del Norte in Colombia, and O.P. Jindal Global Law School in India.

Connecting Global Perspectives with Business Education

Dr. Adonis's visit reflected LBS's commitment to connecting academic learning with international business practice. By integrating entrepreneurship, regulatory strategy, and real-world decision-making, the course offered students an opportunity to examine not only how businesses are created, but also how they adapt, compete, and build resilience across borders.

Lauder Business School sincerely thanks Dr. Maritza T. Adonis for sharing her expertise, international perspective, and entrepreneurial experience with our students in Vienna.