Rob Lalka

Rob Lalka serves as Teaching Professor in Management at Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, holding the Albert R. Lepage Professorship in Business and directing the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. His career bridges academia, government policy, and entrepreneurial practice.

Professor Lalka's educational foundation includes:

• Bachelor's degree from Yale University, cum laude with distinction in history and English
• Master's in public policy from Duke University
• Executive education certificates from Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management

His research critically examines entrepreneurship ethics and technology's societal impacts, highlighted by his acclaimed 2024 book 'The Venture Alchemists' which won the 2025 Axiom Gold Medal in Business Ethics. He pioneers ecosystem analysis through the GNO Startup Report – recognized by AACSB International as one of 25 top global innovations – and explores ethical frameworks for AI, bioinnovation, and social media in cross-disciplinary courses.

Major accolades include:

• Freeman School's Excellence in Intellectual Contributions Award (three times)
• 2025 Axiom Gold Medal in Business Ethics – Future Trends
• U.S. State Department's Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards

As an educator, Lalka mentors student entrepreneurs through the Student Venture Accelerator program housed in the Lepage Center's incubator, which has produced ventures like Fanfix (sold for eight figures by a 2022 graduate). His courses integrate real-world case studies with CEO interviews and policy analysis, supported by the Center's active funding and industry partnerships.

The Albert Lepage Center serves as New Orleans' entrepreneurial hub under Lalka's leadership, providing data-driven insights through the GNO Startup Report and fostering equitable startup growth via collaborations with local entrepreneurs, investors, and community organizations.