Andee Heather Harris
Andee Harris is the founder and CEO of Franklin Heritage, private equity firm that invests in cutting-edge technology and manufacturing. Formerly the CEO of HighGround Software, which she successfully sold to Vista Equity Partners in 2018. Andee was named as one of the city's most successful technology entrepreneurs by Crain's Chicago Business, and nominated by the Illinois Technology as a Prominent Woman in Tech 2015, 2016, 2017 and Best Company Culture in 2018.
Early in her career, Andee was a founding partner at software services firm Emerging Solutions, which grew to more than 150 employees before it was sold to Emtec for $30 million. While there she served as Managing Director/COO, CMO and Head of the Human Capital Management practice for Emerging Solutions, where she focused on the evaluation and implementation of Peoplesoft, Workday and SuccessFactors for Fortune 500 to midsize companies.
Andee believes in strong community service and the ultimate responsibility of a business is to give back to the community. She is also a board member of Chicago Ideas Week and Lurie Children's Hospital Founders Board. She is an active member of the Chicago Economics Club and YPO Chicago Chapter. She lives in Lincoln Square with her husband, two teenagers and black lab! She is an avid traveler and loves to cook and be outdoors.
Launching and Leading Startups (ENTRX-470-0)
Launching and Leading Startups is a case-driven survey course that examines what it's like to be in the shoes of an entrepreneurial CEO. Students explore some of the biggest and most challenging topics facing entrepreneurial CEOs, such as how to reduce the risks that are inherent in starting a new business, determine the best go-to-market strategies to gain customer adoption, and execute with precision. The course targets not only entrepreneurs who want to start or buy their own businesses, but also entrepreneurially minded students who, in short order, will be seeking to work within early-stage startups. The course also proves beneficial for "intrapreneurs" who will be innovating inside larger firms.
Launching and Scaling Startups (ENTR-470-0)
Launching and Scaling Startups is a broad, case-driven survey course that examines what it's like to be in the shoes of an entrepreneurial CEO, launching and scaling a startup in its early stages. It is a highly collaborative course (active student participation is critical!) that explores some of the biggest and most challenging topics facing entrepreneurial CEOs, such as: reducing the risks that are inherent in starting a new business, determining go-to-market and operational strategies to gain customer adoption and deliver a great customer experience, and managing and leading a new venture as it goes through its early growth stages. The course targets not only entrepreneurs who want to start or buy their own businesses, but also entrepreneurially minded students who, in short order, will be seeking to work within scaling startups. The course is also beneficial for "intrepreneurs" who will be innovating inside larger firms. In terms of course deliverables, Launching and Scaling Startups requires students to answer questions on nine cases, six of which are pass-fail and three of which are graded.
