By Hailey Lynd
Elizabeth Murillo began her journey at Trinity two and a half years ago in the entrepreneurial department, in the midst of COVID-19. She started her position as the assistant event coordinator two weeks before the final round of the department’s largest event, the Stumberg Venture Competition.
Before joining Trinity, Murillo worked at a non-profit, Eva’s Heroes. She earned a Non-profit Management Certification from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2018, after graduating Texas A&M University with majors in psychology and sociology.
Murillo’s role at Trinity requires her to aid in event coordination for the Stumberg competition and the StartHER program. “The Stumberg Venture Competition is a very rigorous program, but not one without reach,” said Murillo.
Murillo’s deep-seeded passion for the program stems from her desire to introduce entrepreneurship to students of all backgrounds, not just business-oriented students. “We want to reach everyone,” said Murillo. For example, student-athletes make great entrepreneurs. “Their discipline and tenacity are necessary to the entrepreneurial mindset,” said Murillo.
Murillo’s passion for entrepreneurship extends beyond her role as event coordinator to classrooms. Last year, she enrolled in the Intro to Entrepreneurship course to learn more about the program.
“She is one of those few people that you ever meet in your life who are so deeply passionate about helping the students out,” said Matthew Glazer, a part-time faculty member and resident entrepreneur of the entrepreneurship department.
When looking at the young entrepreneurs who have gone through the program, Murillo expresses a deep pride in their work. “It’s great to see alumni like Gavin come back to campus and participate in events like the Trinity University Network of Entrepreneurs,” she said.
Gavin Buchanan is a Trinity alumnus who created the idea for PatchRX, a technology company in healthcare launched through the Stumberg Venture Competition.
Another focus of Murillo’s passion is StartHER, a program that connects young female entrepreneurs with established female chief executive officers so that they can find inspiration in their journeys and build the confidence they need to begin ventures of their own.
“The goal of that program is to give students who present as female the opportunity to see themselves in that space,” said Murillo. “It really gives an opportunity to students and entrepreneurs the experience that is very much necessary for female founders.”
When Murillo joined Trinity, StartHER was at a standstill due to the impact of COVID-19. This setback did not stop Murillo from expanding the program and reaching potential female entrepreneurs once it was relaunched.
“When she joined our team, she connected with it immediately and was like this is going to be so transformational and we just need to give it the time and love that it deserves in order for our students to really succeed,” said Carmen Armanda, director for the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “I am just so blown away by how amazing Liz is.”
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