Harness the Potential of the Kauffman Fellows Society: An Invitation

Amber J. Schoenberger, Director of Society ServicesPhil Wickham, Charter Class

Michie Slaughter described the Kauffman Fellows Program at its inception in 1995 as a means to build a thorough, professional capital food chain that would serve entrepreneurs through each stage of startup growth. Michie was the founding CEO of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the Kauffman Foundation that funded the Fellows experiment—in laying out this vision on behalf of his team, he was also building on one of Ewing Kauffman’s greatest concerns. Mr. Kauffman hoped to ensure that all entrepreneurs would get access to the quality of capital and support that they deserved, so as to increase their chances for success.Fast-forward to 2014 and 19 classes of Fellows later, and the outcome of that vision begins to look very exciting. Three hundred and sixty extraordinary innovation leaders have committed to the Kauffman Fellows. The members of this group span 50 countries, all stages of investment, and a wide spectrum of industries and investment models ranging from venture to seed, angel, corporate, impact, and government.

Understanding the Society of Kauffman Fellows

Each member is tied together by a common Fellowship experience and shared values and priorities that revolve around serving the needs of entrepreneurs first. About a decade ago, when we logged our 100th graduate, we started to consider an “alumni” strategy—was it time to start using that language? Upon reflection, we realized that a fellowship by definition is different. A Kauffman Fellow doesn’t graduate as an alumna, to be hounded for donations and offered reunion parties—she graduates to Fellowship status, which is an ongoing, dynamic relationship. This understanding is also entirely consistent with the original vision: the Fellowship is about the network.Beyond just the industry affinity that defines a network, the concept of a “society” brings a shared sense of values, a code of ethics. The Kauffman Fellows Society is in part architected around this code, but also evolved—and continues to evolve—naturally in response to market pulls and the shared interests of its members. These governing forces of membership in our Society can be accessed down multiple paths: as a Kauffman Fellow, a Mentor, a strategic partner, an event or educational participant, or as a faculty member. We are open and inclusive by definition, because we are only as strong as our leader-members and their ideas.All of our activities are driven by a simple truth: “It’s always in our collective interest to empower entrepreneurs with smart, connected capital.” We believe this because of the behavior of entrepreneurs. They wake up each day focused on solving other people’s problems such as enabling communications or curing diseases—solutions that may save your life or your child’s life one day. To bring entrepreneurs expertise in organizational design and access to insights, opportunities, and resources helps prevent most of the failure issues of startups and frames the “smart, connected” concept. What we envision is a global fabric of experts committed to this mission, and going forward, that is the highest priority of Kauffman Fellows as an organization.

A Message from the Director of Society Services, Amber Julie Schoenberger

During the past several months, I have had numerous conversations with Fellows from classes past and present. I began by asking questions: “Share the most important story associated with being a Kauffman Fellow,” “What more could our Society be doing to make a useful impact in your life?” and “What are your ideas on how would you like to add value?” Their responses shared great insight into the world of a Fellow and illuminated how we as a network can strengthen as we continue to grow in size and spread across geographies and industry sectors.As is so often the case, I find that the sum is greater than its parts—but in this case the parts are of the highest quality. So many individual Kauffman Fellows are both inspiring and accomplished, and yet our greatest asset is our collective potential as a Society. Truly, I am inspired by what we might be able to achieve together.Kelly Johnson helped to design Lockheed’s record-breaking SR-71 “Blackbird.”1 This airplane was designed with gaps that spew jet fuel all over the runway as it taxis, so that it immediately needs to meet up with a tanker for an aerial refueling to replenish all that leaked during takeoff. However, as the SR-71 accelerates in the air, friction delivers extreme temperatures beyond 900 degrees Fahrenheit to the titanium skin.2 Under these new conditions, all the loose parts expand several inches to their desired shape—making a tight fit and plugging the leaks. Lockheed designed the aircraft not for how it is on the ground, but for when it is cruising at Mach 3.2 at 85,000 feet.3In a similarly impressive design, the Kauffman Fellows Society also becomes a lean, effective machine when members operate together, filling in each other’s gaps of distance and expertise. The Kauffman Fellows Program is not just an academic education but also a real-world experience that individually molds the loose-fitting pieces; proper alignment is achieved when Fellows come together to share best practices in capital formation, new ideas, and the insights that drive innovation, opportunities, and resources over a lifetime.The value of Kauffman Fellows lies in what we all mutually put into it. My goal is to help Society members and friends of the Society leverage this collective potential—to foster ideas in the areas most meaningful to you.Each one of us can expand and add value to this powerful network in our own way. I encourage readers who are new to Kauffman Fellows to take this year as an opportunity to get to know us. Attend an event, read about Fellows’ research and learning in past volumes of the Kauffman Fellows Report, and think about how to leverage our potential in your own work. We offer the unique ability to accelerate the rate at which one expands industry knowledge, develops leadership skills, and gathers a trusted network.For members of the Society, I challenge you to deepen your Kauffman Fellows footprint this year. Consider introducing us to the right individual—someone you would want as copilot in your aircraft—and sharing our publications to introduce yourself to those you want to connect with. I also invite you to contact me throughout the year and share your thoughts and ideas for this growing community supporting smart, connected capital.Since joining Kauffman Fellows in August 2013, I have already come to appreciate the level of prestige the organization has earned, as well as the strength of our brand throughout the United States and internationally. No other organization provides this sort of opportunity and the ability to leverage a community of connected, behaviorally fit, successful leaders in innovation.Like the SR-71, at this moment in time, the Kauffman Fellows Society is making history and presenting a stronger future for entrepreneurs and for change around the world. How will you be joining us?

Amber Schoenberger

amber@kfp.orgAmber joined the Kauffman Fellows team in 2013 as Director of Society Services: responsible for broadening and strengthening the network of Fellows, Mentors, and government and industry partners. Previously, she served in the fundraising and development arm for one of the region’s premier medical-center networks. Prior roles include lobbyist for a balanced non-partisan clean-energy bill, manager of the non-profit portfolio for Arizona’s Social Venture Partners, and work with Maxim Semiconductor and the Arizona Cardinals Football corporate offices. Amber began her career by founding and managing an instructional-music business where graduates went on to become top recording artists. She holds dual degrees in Psychology and Mass Communications from Arizona State University.

Phil Wickham

Phil is President and CEO of the Center for Venture Education. Phil was in the Charter Class of the Kauffman Fellows Program, serving his fellowship under Ed Kania at OneLiberty Ventures in Boston, and was founding Vice-Chairman of the CVE Board. Prior to joining the CVE staff, Phil served as a General Partner at JAFCO America Ventures and at Copan, based in Munich, Germany. In his venture career, Phil made over 30 investments, including Twitter, Ikanos, Web Methods, Com21, and Trilibis. Phil received his BSME from the University of Arizona and his MBA from Rensselaer. He serves on the boards of Trilibis and Lawson America.

Back to top1 Lockheed Martin Corporation, “Creating the Blackbird.”2 Leland R. Haynes, “Questions and Thoughts about the SR-71,” SR-71 Blackbirds, 15 April 1996.3 Paul R. Kucher, “Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird,” SR-71 Blackbirds, 2010.

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