Ellen Dutton

Ellen Dutton is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Capstone Advisor at the University of Notre Dame, where she also serves as Manager of Startup Programming within the ESTEEM Program. She plays a key role in guiding student teams to launch new ventures, innovate in corporate environments, and lead dynamic teams. Her work bridges academic rigor with real-world entrepreneurial application.

Education:

• BA in Business Administration/Management with a minor in Spanish, Truman State University
• MBA, Indiana University-South Bend

Her research and professional interests focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and new product development. With a career spanning 30 years at Whirlpool Corporation, she brings extensive industry experience in consumer-driven innovation, portfolio development, and global team leadership. Her expertise includes commercial excellence, multi-channel marketing, strategic planning, and translating technical requirements into market-ready products.

Dutton has been recognized for transformational leadership and consistent performance in challenging environments. She has led high-performing global teams and developed innovative product lines such as the EveryDrop® water filtration system and the industry’s first global cordless appliance suite. She also managed a 48-person inside sales group and created a B2B portal for Whirlpool, demonstrating strong operational and organizational skills.

She is actively engaged in community service, mentoring robotics teams, and fostering youth innovation. Notably, she founded a High School Innovation Challenge involving 250 students and created a high school internship program at Whirlpool. She serves on multiple 501(c)(3) boards and has held various leadership roles in nonprofit organizations.

Her advising role in the ESTEEM Program involves guiding graduate students through capstone projects that culminate in startup launches or corporate innovation initiatives. While no formal grants are mentioned, her leadership in program development—especially in startup programming and curriculum design—demonstrates significant contributions to academic entrepreneurship.

She is involved in building academic and community-based teams focused on innovation and education. Her leadership in creating experiential learning opportunities highlights her commitment to developing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.