The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center team is ready to work with students, faculty, and professionals. We bring you inspirational stories, locate key resources, and offer diverse opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation. Learn more about the individuals who make up our team below:
Amanda Golden is the Assistant Director of the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center. In this role, she oversees the center’s various programs and events, including managing the Forty Acres Founders Pre-Accelerator Program.
Amanda has over 12 years’ experience working in higher education and helping students navigate the college and university setting. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Government right here on the Forty Acres, Amanda worked for two years at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Due to snowy winters and a significant lack of breakfast tacos, she chose to move back to Austin with her family and has been working on campus for over ten years. Amanda joined the McCombs School of Business in 2018 to launch the Entrepreneurship Minor.
Prior to joining the HKEC team, Amanda worked as a Career Counselor and Academic Advisor in the Cockrell School of Engineering. While working in engineering, Amanda oversaw many complex projects, allowing her to build an expansive skill set in program coordination and student support. In 2015, Amanda earned a Master’s Degree in College Student Development from St. Edward’s University. Amanda enjoys helping students find ways to achieve their academic and professional goals and to identify and build skills that will help them be successful in their classes and careers. She has advised students and led workshops in a number of areas, including major and career exploration and enhancing academic success.
Prior to joining the HKEC team, Ms. Butler graduated from Penn Foster College and obtain a small Business license along with her Child Development Associate (CDA) license. Ms. Butler was the owner and director of Butler Little Tykes Learning Center in Austin Texas and Pflugerville Texas from May 2010 to June 2018, until she sold her business to attend to her family needs. Ms. Butler has six years in higher education with helping students to learn and advance in their education and academic success. Ms. Butler enjoys family time with her two adult children and one grandchild.
Prior to joining the HKEC team, Ms. Butler graduated from Penn Foster College and obtain a small Business license along with her Child Development Associate (CDA) license. Ms. Butler was the owner and director of Butler Little Tykes Learning Center in Austin Texas and Pflugerville Texas from May 2010 to June 2018, until she sold her business to attend to her family needs. Ms. Butler has six years in higher education with helping students to learn and advance in their education and academic success. Ms. Butler enjoys family time with her two adult children and one grandchild.
Lydia Ward is the Marketing Strategist in the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at the McCombs School of Business. Lydia works on marketing and coordination of events for HKEC. In Summer 2019, Lydia designed and developed HerbKelleherCenter.com and now manages latest iterations, maintenance, and analytics for the Center’s website. In addition, she handles the marketing strategy for the Center’s various programming executed through social and email promotion platforms.
Prior to joining the Entrepreneurship Minor team, Lydia graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in English and received a certificate in Web Development.
Contact Lydia:
Lydia.Ward@mccombs.utexas.edu
512-232-6885