About Sonia Gaillard
Director, SMCA Entrepreneurship Center - St. Michael's Catholic Academy

In developing the next generation of entrepreneurs, Ms. Gaillard serves as Director of the SMCA Entrepreneurship Center for Economic and Social Innovation. She is the Lead Entrepreneurship Teacher and Entrepreneurship Club Advisor. She has created and managed multiple programs designed to engage students in STEEAM (science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, art and math) education. Ms. Gaillard also mentors and is a tireless supporter of young entrepreneurs and inventors around the globe as they dream big and materialize their dreams.

Ms. Gaillard held previous technical and leadership positions with nVentia, IBM and at IC², an international business and technology accelerator. Ms. Gaillard is an inventor with US patents in the financial and mobile devices industries. She earned her BS in Computer Science from Winthrop University and MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas Austin. She earned her Entrepreneurship Teacher Certification and became a Certified Global Business Professional.

What was the “aha” moment that got you started in your current career/line of work?
During mentoring sessions with teens many years ago, they got excited about the idea of starting their own business; however, they didn’t know what steps to take in order to make it happen. After hosting a series of after-school entrepreneurship and community youth inventor workshops, my focus in this area led to me to designing and launching entrepreneurship centers for high school entrepreneurs and youth business plan competitions. I am a tireless supporter of young entrepreneurs and inventors around the globe as they dream big and materialize their dreams.
What is one thing you want to tell the Austin community about your organization?
St. Michael’s has one of the most innovative cultures that I have experienced on a secondary education campus. Faculty members are unleashing their innovative spirit and embracing a culture that innovates. For example, the Entrepreneurship Center also serves as a Teacher Incubator for their special projects. One teacher is incubating a project in which she has secured grants in order to launch this endeavor. There are new digital media, applied physics and online class offerings for students to explore. Cross-department collaboration on student projects now provides students with a real-world simulation of working on matrixed corporate teams. We are in the process of making history on our campus. Stay tuned …
Was there a particular experience in your life that prepared you for leadership?
Growing up on a farm had a profound influence on my life. It helped me to learn about accountability and responsibility for myself, community, animals and our environment. There were many leadership skills that were developed that included setting goals, working hard/smart, listening, keeping things simple, being patient and adapting when necessary.