New position will further the school’s commitment to Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (OCTOBER 9, 2024) — The University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy has appointed Christine Mahoney as its first Chief Innovation Officer.  Mahoney is Professor of Public Policy and Politics at UVA Batten. A seasoned entrepreneur, Mahoney launched Social Entrepreneurship at UVA (SE@UVA). The initiative introduced new courses on social entrepreneurship, a minor, concept competition, and scholarships to work with social enterprises. Mahoney also hosts a variety of student activities that provide hands-on experience in social innovation. 

“We are thrilled to have Christine step into this pivotal role as our inaugural Chief Innovation Officer. Christine brings a unique blend of creativity, leadership, and deep expertise in social entrepreneurship, making her exceptionally well-suited to advance Batten’s social entrepreneurship mission,” noted Batten Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Eileen Chou. “Christine’s vision and strategic approach will be invaluable as we continue to foster innovation, strengthen our relationships across the university, and create lasting impact in the communities we serve."

“Christine has been a great source of innovation within the Batten School for many years,” echoed Batten Dean Ian H. Solomon. “She has had a profound influence on our students, encouraging their entrepreneurial activities across the globe. She is among the strongest proponents of innovation in our classrooms and research."

The announcement comes on the heels of UVA’s Fall Entrepreneurship Week, a week of events dedicated to bringing together the entrepreneurial community of the university and the greater Charlottesville area. A highlight among the week’s events was the ribbon-cutting on the university’s new entrepreneurship house, The Foundry.  This unique hub will provide UVA student entrepreneurs with space to tackle entrepreneurial problems, as well as gather and exchange resources. 

Batten’s new CIO position also coincides with the launch of a pan-university entrepreneurship initiative called “UVA Innovates” - a platform to empower innovators for the greater good. 

The university-wide initiative was catalyzed by the Batten School’s leadership in social entrepreneurship education for more than a decade and a transformative gift for an endowed professor in entrepreneurship for the common good by Richard and Donna Tadler.  

“Christine has a rare combination of academic excellence and entrepreneurial instincts. She is the driving force behind our gifts to Batten to focus undergraduate and graduate students on social entrepreneurship in Appalachia,” said venture capitalist and UVA graduate Richard Tadler, referring to the immersive fellowship programs Mahoney has designed. These fellowships provide students with an opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges facing Appalachia and the vital role impact investing in the region can play in its economic recovery. 

In addition to teaching and inspiring countless students about the impact of social entrepreneurship, Christine is also a successful entrepreneur in her private life. She and her husband run Thistlerock Farm, a regenerative farm and meadery near Charlottesville. Thistlerock Mead Company aims to be the first of its kind in the country to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.   
 

For more information

Email: RSmall@Virginia.edu; Phone: 202-465-0333

About UVA Batten 

At UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, we are committed to solving the world’s toughest policy challenges. We know the complex issues of our time demand innovative, collaborative, cross-sector relationships within our walls and beyond. Our multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and emphasis on ethics reinforce our focus on how leadership works, why context matters in decision-making and which actions lead to tangible results.

About UVA Innovates

UVA Innovates is a platform to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship at UVA. We provide a leading role in thinking beyond our ecosystem on Grounds, working with others to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Charlottesville, the Commonwealth, and beyond. Whether you’re starting a new venture, looking to learn new skills, or wish to be inspired to devise solutions for the greater good, we have the tools and connections you need. UVA Innovates is a gateway to a robust portfolio of spaces, services, and enrichment opportunities for making the connections that will transform your ideas into reality.