Expertise
Entrepreneurship, strategy, innovation, venture growth, mentorship, podcasting, public health, education.
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.), Health Informatics and Management, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
Biosketch
Richard Juknavorian is an entrepreneur, strategist, and mentor with a passion for innovation, venture growth, and social impact. As Director of the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute at UMass Lowell, he empowers student entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, funding, and resources to launch and scale their ventures. He is also an experienced product management executive, having held leadership roles in private equity-backed and venture-funded companies, particularly in digital healthcare. Richard is the host of Meeting You Where You're At, a top-30 social impact podcast featuring inspiring women leaders. He actively mentors startups through Suncoast Ventures, MassChallenge, and EforAll. A dedicated educator, he teaches public health and business strategy courses, shaping the next generation of leaders.
Selected Awards and Honors
- 2019 Alumni of the Year - Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, UMass Lowell