Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Encouragement of the entrepreneur and the ability to continuously innovate are responsible for tremendous prosperity and relative peace for more than 75 years. To advance enduring national interests and to successfully compete globally, the United States must innovate the ways its private sector, government, and academia collaborate to address common challenges. Jason Galui leads the SMU Cox Commercial Diplomacy Initiative in pursuit of this purpose. 

See Jason Galui's LinkedIn

Associate Director

Dr. Nils Van den Steen holds the position of Associate Director for the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative at the SMU Cox School of Business. His rich background spans operations and supply-chain management, with a PhD in Business Economics, and a particular proficiency in process digitalization. He applies this wealth of knowledge to bring a well-researched perspective to creative collaboration.

Dr. Van den Steen plays a vital role in making the Initiative's events and projects come alive. His approach goes beyond simply explaining problems; instead, he aims to inspire transformation. A key objective for him is to foster collaboration between the private and public sectors to enhance U.S. national interests and boost the global competitiveness of U.S. firms.

Analyzing the strategic challenges that firms face in the global market is a topic Dr. Van den Steen is deeply passionate about. His perpetual question is, "How can we make things work more effectively?" It's this relentless pursuit of increasing efficiency and effectiveness that defines his role and contributions to the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative.

www.nilsvandensteen.com

Undergraduate Fellow

Harini Lenin, currently serving as the Undergraduate Fellow for the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative, is simultaneously pursuing her studies in Finance and Public Policy at SMU. Her career trajectory is firmly set towards fostering collaboration between government and the public sector. This focus aligns seamlessly with the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative's mission, and is bolstered by the practical knowledge and research experience she has gathered at SMU Cox's Commercial Diplomacy Initiative.

Her academic journey and experiences at the Initiative have ignited a strong interest in facilitating cooperation among government, private firms, and academia. This drive resonates with the Initiative's vision of creating synergy to secure a U.S. economic advantage and foster international peace.

In addition to her role within the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative, Harini demonstrates her commitment to academic excellence through her active participation in the University Honors and Tower Scholars Programs. Her engagement with these prestigious programs further underscores her suitability for her role at the Initiative. Harini's combined academic prowess, civic engagement, and dedication to fostering cross-sector collaboration make her an invaluable asset in the pursuit of the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative's goals.

See Harini Lenin's LinkedIn

Undergraduate Fellow

Lily Derr, a native of Dallas, Texas, also serves as Undergraduate Fellow for the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative. Lily embodies the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative. Pursuing a triple major in Mathematics, Political Science, and Public Policy, with minors in Environmental Engineering and Public Policy & International Affairs, Lily demonstrates a commitment to diverse academic pursuits and public policy, resonating with the Initiative's mission to foster creative collaboration across sectors. 

Within SMU, Lily is recognized as a Tower Scholar, Dedman College Scholar, Pre-Law Scholar, Grand Challenges Scholar, Provost Scholar, Millwee Scholar, Discovery Scholar, Undergraduate Research Assistant, and Engaged Learning Fellow. In addition to these accomplishments, she actively contributes to the University Honors Program as the Chair of the Student Advisory Council and the Student Representative on the Faculty Advisory Council. Her role as the Undergraduate Representative on the President's Commission on the Status of Women at SMU underscores her ability to bridge gaps between diverse stakeholders, an asset that aligns perfectly with the Initiative's goals. 

Lily consistently demonstrates academic excellence, achieving a place on the Honor Roll with High Distinction each semester. She will further extend her leadership as the Student Representative to the SMU Board of Trustees on the Academic Policy, Planning, & Management Committee in the upcoming year. Concurrently, Lily leverages her mathematical prowess to run a tutoring business for students in grades K-12. This entrepreneurial endeavor reflects the Initiative's ethos of perpetuating the U.S. economic advantage and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit. As a native of Dallas, a vibrant hub of American businesses, Lily's presence bolsters the connection between the Commercial Diplomacy Initiative and the local community, promising to enrich the dialogue between business and government leaders. 

See Lily Derr's LinkedIn