The Hildegard Nework
At the end of this month, I'll be sitting down with Luke Wronski, founder of RiG'd Supply, for our next Creators & Coffee conversation.
What makes this conversation especially meaningful is that Luke was part of our Entrepreneur Lab nearly a decade ago. He first began exploring an idea to help families have better off-road adventures by helping inventors bring their products to life. That combination of simple ideas eventually grew into a multi-million-dollar company, but perhaps more importantly, it fulfilled a mission he deeply believed in.
One of the things I love most about the Hildegard community is that people like Luke don't simply move on after finding success. They come back. They invest in the next generation. They mentor students, serve on advisory boards, and generously share the lessons they've learned along the way.
Over the past two years, we've hosted twelve Creators & Coffee conversations. Every guest has brought a unique perspective, but they all share something in common: they are the very entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders our students are learning alongside.
And the relationship doesn't end when the conversation is over.
After each event, students have opportunities to connect with our guests one-on-one. Over time, these founders become part of a broader network that students can learn from as they pursue internships, launch ventures, and navigate their own entrepreneurial journeys.
When you join Hildegard, you're not simply enrolling in a program. You're joining a growing community of founders, creators, mentors, and leaders committed to doing meaningful work in the world.
Over the past two years, we've had the privilege of welcoming business leaders, authors, artists, filmmakers, and nonprofit leaders who all model Redemptive Entrepreneurship, including:
Entrepreneurship
Justin Wheeler — Founder, Funraise
Kohl Crecelius — Founder, KNOWN SUPPLY
Luke Wronski — Founder, RiG'd Supply
Jonathan Brewer — Founder, BrewerSweet Co.
Brandon Arbini — Founder, Buenas Coffee & Zero Carbon Coffee
Ally Garvin — Founder, Neat Coffee
Jeff Tanner - Founder, The Formation Agency
Nonprofit Leadership
Blythe Hill — Founder, Dressember
Rebekah Robek — Founder, Let's Be Kind
Cassie Furnari & Kyle Long — Founders, Milele International
Dr. Matthew Smith - President of Hildegard College
Creativity, Storytelling, & the Arts
Kyle Rutkin — Author, She Died Famous
David & Katie Orgill — Founders, Story11 Films
Health, Wellness, & Human Flourishing
Dr. Julia Evans — Founder, Brain Wellness Center
Jill Arbini & Chris Cano — Founders, Common Ground Grief Center
You can find a few of these talks here!
And if you've ever been curious about joining the Hildegard community, options include:
Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree Program (enrollment is open for Fall 2026)
Creators Cohorts, launching in September
Entrepreneur Lab Advisory Board Member
I would love to connect and explore how you might become part of this growing community. Send me an email at jltanner@hildegard.college.
For the world's best future,
Jeffrey L. Tanner, M.Ed.
Dean of Entrepreneurship
Hildegard College