MITCHELL – The Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship at Dakota Wesleyan University announces two local women will serve as the university’s Kelley Center 2026 Entrepreneurs in Residence.

According to Assistant Director for the Kelley Center Jessica Dollahon, “This program gives DWU students and the Mitchell community direct access to two change leaders. An Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) models creativity, risk-taking, and venture creation.  An Intrapreneur in Residence (IIR) demonstrates how innovation thrives within existing organizations.  This dual approach reflects DWU’s vision of developing entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial mindsets across business, nonprofit, and civic spheres.”

This year’s Entrepreneur in Residence is Jessica Callies of Mitchell.  Callies is the director of 401 Create by Lifequest and the owner/artist of J Cal Design. She is a business owner and artist who has built a creative enterprise while driving public art projects in Mitchell. Callies’s projects have elevated community identity through murals and design. She inspires students by showing how passion and creativity can be scaled into a business.

A first for the program, Elizabeth Luczak has been selected as the Kelley Center’s Intrapreneur in Residence.  Luczak is the executive director of Mitchell Main Street & Beyond.  Luczak is well known for leading downtown revitalization initiatives and working to build partnerships involving city government, businesses and nonprofits.  Her leadership style embodies intrapreneurship by introducing new programs and elevating innovation within an established organization. Luczak will offer students lessons in stakeholder management, strategic vision, and change leadership.

Now in its fifth year, the EIR/IIR program exposes current DWU business and entrepreneurship majors to working professionals.  EIRs typically visit the campus four times per year, presenting to several classes each time.

For more information on this program or the Kelley Center, please contact Diana Goldammer Ed.D. director of the Kelley Center at 605.995.2722.