Family Business Team

Academic Director

Pramodita Sharma, Ph.D.

University Distinguished Professor • Schlesinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business

Pramodita.Sharma@uvm.edu (802) 656-5122

Affiliated Faculty and Post-Doctoral Fellows

Massimo Bau

Affiliated Faculty, Grossman School Family Business Team • Senior Associate Professor in Family Business and Ownership, Jönköping International Business School

Srini Venugopal, Ph.D.

Academic Director, Sustainable Innovation MBA Program • Donald and Gabrielle McCree Endowed Professor in Business

Srinivas.Venugopal@uvm.edu (802) 656-9539

Research Affiliates

Ruby Blunt
Body

Ruby expects to graduate from the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business (UVM-GSB) in 2025. While getting a well-rounded undergraduate education, she is concentrating her studies in marketing, sustainability and sociology. Eager to build her skills in data based project management and problem solving, she is excited to contribute towards the sustainability and impact of business organizations. Ruby’s current research is focused on understanding the impact of experiential student focused programs like the Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition SG-FECC hosted by UVM-GSB.

Nancy Demuth
Body

Nancy is a member of the Sustainable Innovation MBA cohort of 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages from Durham University and previously worked in communications for non-profits specializing in fair trade. Nancy’s research focuses on ethical supply chains and the intergenerational sustainability journeys of family businesses.

Matthew Francis
Body

Matt is a student of the Sustainable Innovation MBA class of 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Design from The Ohio State University and has five years of experience working as an Industrial Designer. He is investigating business models, decisions, and practices that contribute to a sustainable world.

Samuel Ghazey
Body

Sam is a member of the Sustainable Innovation MBA cohort of 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont and has spent the last decade directing issue campaigns with various organizations and political committees. Sam’s research is focused on the socially and environmentally sustainable aspects of business. 

Megan Kida
Body

Megan Kida is a member of the Sustainable Innovation MBA cohort of 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from La Salle University and has over two years of experience working as a paralegal in specialty treatment courts. Megan's research focuses on social sustainability issues within the global value chain.

Ben LaJoie
Body

Ben LaJoie is a member of the Sustainable Innovation MBA 2023 Cohort.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Vermont and has worked in sales and operations roles in multiple industries.  Ben’s research focuses on the study of sustainable business strategy within family owned businesses.

Nicole Mallett
Body

Nicole is a member of the 2022 Sustainable Innovation MBA cohort. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies and Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018, with minors in Poetry and Administration of Justice. With professional background in contracts, pricing, and risk management, Nicole’s research interest centers on ways that social institutions, business, and environment can intersect to create shared value.