About, And…

Welcome to my new site! I’m exploring Blog Life after 20 years in Academia.

You can join the ride, which will be bumpy because even though I was a tech VC and an Entrepreneurship Professor, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the most tech savvy. So apologies in advance.

You’ll find lots of thoughts on lots of things related to entrepreneurship, venture capital, AI, pitching, gender, the patriarchy, yada yada yada. Doesn’t it sound fun?

I’m Lakshmi

Welcome to Just Say Yes, And, my long considered, deliberated and finally sharing spot on the Internet dedicated to all the things I have researched, pursued, determined and decided! When I was growing up, Nancy Reagan had “Just Say No” as the motto to fight drug use. I invite you to revisit that thinking with the rule of Improvising: Say Yes, And!

I have taught this rule of improvisation, along with the other lessons of improvisation through a course I created called Improvisational Leadership at Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, MIT Sloan School of Management as well as numerous organizations. I have my PhD and have taught and researched Entrepreneurship, Negotiation and Management as a tenured Professor. Most recently I spent three years in federal government working on innovation policy culminating in a bucket list experience of a trip to the White House!

Early in my career I worked in venture capital – at the first women owned, women focused fund in the country. I spent 20 years exploring the gender gap for women in entrepreneurship…and I got tired of hearing all the Nos for why things haven’t changed. I ran for local office (was “mayor” of my town) and performed stand-up comedy and improvisational comedy in Los Angeles and San Diego. So, indeed, my life has been a lot of Yes, And to trying new things.

I invite you to join me on a journey of reflection as well as learning as to how opportunities play out when you Just Say Yes, And!

Let’s connect