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Ylana Lopez manages programs and events at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. The Trust Center provides over 60 courses in entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the campus, a specific entrepreneurship and innovation pathway for students pursuing their MBA, online learning options for self-studiers at MIT and globally, and initiatives for individuals both within and outside the Institute. As the assistant director for academics and events at the Trust Center, Lopez directs a variety of programs and occasions, while simultaneously aiding students and faculty members.

Following her graduation from Rutgers University, Lopez engaged in research focused on human-computer interaction at Princeton University. After her time at Princeton, she joined the health care software firm Epic Systems, working in quality management and user experience. While at Epic Systems, she concurrently collaborated on a startup with two friends, Kiran Sharma and Dinuri Rupasinghe. One of the startup’s co-founders, an undergraduate at MIT, applied for them to participate in the Trust Center’s premier startup accelerator, delta v, and the trio was accepted. 

Delta v is a fiercely competitive entrepreneurial initiative, with 20 to 25 startup teams accepted each year, running annually from June to August. At the conclusion of each month, there is a simulated board meeting featuring a board of advisors comprised of industry professionals specifically selected to support each startup’s objectives. Programming, coaching sessions, workshops, lectures, and pitch practices occur throughout delta v, culminating in September with a demo day in Kresge Auditorium attended by thousands. 

Before joining delta v, Lopez made the decision to resign from her full-time position to focus entirely on the startup. After she and her partners parted ways, she sought a career transition, prompting her to reflect on her formative summer experience at MIT. In spring 2023, Lopez applied for an available position at the Trust Center to serve as an academic coordinator. Shortly thereafter, she was offered and accepted the position, and a year later was elevated to assistant director for academics and events. Lopez’s journey at MIT has come full circle as her current role includes being a co-director of delta v. Like many of her colleagues who are serial entrepreneurs, Lopez also established a design studio in the past year named Mr. Mango, offering creative design services for the film and music sectors.

Lopez has always had a passion for education and initially aimed to become a teacher before venturing into technology. For this reason, she views her role at MIT, especially as a staff member in the Trust Center, as the best of both worlds. While delta v is the flagship accelerator, Lopez also contributes to shorter initiatives like MIT Fuse, a three-week, hands-on startup sprint during Independent Activities Period (IAP), and t=0, a series of events that kick off each academic year to promote entrepreneurship at MIT. Additional programs are also accessible to those outside of MIT, as the Trust Center recognizes the importance of fostering an ecosystem that includes individuals beyond the Institute.

At the foundation of the Trust Center lies the conviction that entrepreneurship serves as a catalyst for global change. The staff also believe that entrepreneurship can be taught and is not exclusive to a select few people. Lopez and her colleagues maintain a collaborative spirit, working in a shared office space they affectionately refer to as “the bullpen.” The layout and collaborative nature of their work foster a sense of community. With at least two events every week, late nights may extend into early mornings, yet Lopez and her colleagues delight in their work. She expresses gratitude for the development she has experienced during her time at the Trust Center and for the chance to be part of a driven, entertaining, and talented team.

Trust Center managing director Bill Aulet, the Ethernet Inventors Professor of the Practice of Entrepreneurship, cannot commend Lopez enough. “In my nearly two decades running this center, I have never encountered anyone more adept at truly understanding the students, our clients, and translating that into high-quality and imaginative programs that delight them and fulfill the mission of our center, MIT Sloan, and MIT more broadly. We are incredibly fortunate to have her.”

Soundbytes

Q: What is your favorite project that you have worked on?

A: This semester we launched the Martin Trust Center Startup Pass. It provides an opportunity for startups, no matter what stage they are in, to have a daily, dedicated workspace at the Trust Center to advance their ventures. We have allocated half of our space for what we call “the beehive” for startups to work alongside other founders and active builders at MIT. It’s fantastic for students to collaborate with those creating amazing projects and to receive feedback, offer support, and genuinely foster a community centered around the spirit and collaboration that naturally arises among entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating; therefore, much of our effort is directed toward building networks that alleviate that isolation. In just one semester, we’ve already established a community of over 80 founders throughout MIT!

I’m also enthusiastic about transforming one of our rooms into a creative studio. We recognized that startups could gain from a space equipped for producing content such as podcasts, photography, videography, and other forms of creative work. These elements are crucial in entrepreneurship, so we are in the process of developing a space that all entrepreneurs at MIT can access.

Q: How would you describe the MIT community?

A: We have a truly remarkable community here. The Trust Center serves all of MIT, providing numerous programs that allow us to engage with a wide array of individuals. While there can be silos, it’s excellent that we facilitate bringing people together, regardless of their backgrounds, experiences, or interests, in one space to become entrepreneurs. The MIT community consists of inspiring, passionate individuals who are very welcoming. It offers a thrilling atmosphere to be part of.

Q: What advice would you give someone who is starting a job at MIT?

A: If your routine normally takes place in a single office or environment, over time, it can be easy to find yourself in a bubble. I highly recommend stepping out of your bubble by actively seeking to connect with as many individuals beyond your immediate group as possible. I have encountered many people across different departments, even when our work doesn’t overlap significantly, and they have been incredibly supportive, gracious, and welcoming. You never know when a casual conversation with someone could spark a fantastic collaboration or new initiative. Being in a community with so many remarkable individuals is truly rewarding.

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