Meet the IIE Team
Wade Martin, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Dr. Wade Martin is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach. He works primarily in the area of risk analysis related to business development and sustainability for local economic development. He has worked on research and development projects for Downtown Long Beach Alliance, CalRECYLES, the World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the USDA Forest Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Government of Indonesia and has been a visiting scholar at Harvard Institute for International Development. Dr. Martin has published in numerous academic journals, edited three books and been a commentator on Market Place on NPR as well as for numerous newspapers. He has served as editor-in-chief of the academic journal Contemporary Economic Policy.
Monique Palmera
Engagement & Operations Lead, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
A CSULB graduate with a degree in Marketing, Monique specializes in transforming ideas into compelling content. Her innovative strategies help us connect with our diverse community. Monique's warm and approachable personality, combined with her keen understanding of people, allows her to cultivate meaningful relationships. This ability is crucial in her role, as she fosters belonging and community within our organization.
Christina Lang
Assistant Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Christina Lang is an MBA candidate specializing in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at CSU, Long Beach. With a background in digital marketing, Christina offers practical expertise and a passion for assisting founders in making strategic business decisions and adopting innovative marketing approaches. Having owned a successful life and business coaching company in Germany, Christina brings to the table her experience and certified skills in NLP and success coaching. Presently, Christina is co-founding an online agency aimed at enhancing the client acquisition process in the coaching industry. She remains an active contributor to CSU's entrepreneurship community, dedicated to promoting innovation and driving meaningful change.
Kunal Chandiramani
Entrepreneur in Residence, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Kunal Chandiramani is the host of the DeTox with dToks podcast, interviewing Billionaires, Olympians, Michelin Star Chefs, and more on Mental Health and their DeTox Rituals. Kunal has founded multiple companies in the past including dToks, KStar eCommerce and more. He is a 3 time TED talks speaker and has guest-spoken at universities and events around the world.
Davide Laudadio
Graduate Assistant, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Davide Laudadio, a Social Media Manager at IIE, is pursuing an MBA in Entrepreneurship at CSULB. With experience in product marketing and business development, he's driving positive change.
At IIE, Davide is connecting entrepreneurs with investors and shaping a vibrant community of innovators. His unique blend of creativity, business acumen, and interpersonal skills makes him a key driver of growth and innovation.
Alan Luong
Graduate Assistant, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Alan Luong is a current MS Marketing Analytics student at California State University, Long Beach, specializing in digital marketing, marketing analytics, and market research. He actively supports entrepreneurship and innovation by using data-driven strategies to optimize marketing efforts and solve complex marketing challenges. Beyond his technical skills, Alan is a natural collaborator, known for his ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate complex data insights. His commitment to continuous learning, combined with his enthusiasm for staying ahead of marketing trends, makes him valuable in today’s competitive digital landscape.
