Entrepreneurial Wall of Honor
Mark ’73 and Mary Ellen ’73 Meyer
Founders: Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare Cider & Mead
After retiring, Mark and Mary Ellen Meyer and their family wanted to open a family business that created regional artisan products rooted in Western Pennsylvania history.
Mark –
Major: Political science
J.D., Washington University
Mary Ellen –
Majors: Art, Religion
Master of occupational therapy, Western Michigan University
After retiring, Mark and Mary Ellen Meyer and their family wanted to open a family business that created regional artisan products rooted in Western Pennsylvania history. To that end, the family worked to change Pennsylvania law to allow artisan distilleries to sell directly to consumers. In 2012 Wigle Whiskey opened its doors, Pittsburgh’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition. In subsequent years, the Meyer family has helped nurture the growth of new artisan distilleries in the state. When they launched their venture, only two other distilleries existed in Pennsylvania. Ten years later, the state had more than one hundred small craft distilleries.
In 2016 Mark and Mary Ellen and their family were recognized as Entrepreneurs of the Year by Washington and Jefferson College. The following year, the Meyer family opened a second venture, Threadbare Cider & Mead. Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare focus on making high-quality spirits and cider from regional grain and apples while also celebrating the history of these crafts in Western Pennsylvania. Wigle Whiskey has been ranked among the top 10 best craft distilleries in America by USA Today.
Sokhna Vor ’15
Founder, partner and president: DataTicon and DataU Academy
With a foundation from his Earlham education, Sokhna has honed his talent in skill development, digital technologies, community, and the growing edge of human interaction with AI.
With a foundation from his Earlham education, Sokhna has honed his talent in skill development, digital technologies, community, and the growing edge of human interaction with AI. After Earlham, he moved to New York City, where he began his career as an analytics application developer at a Silicon Valley-based big data company. Now an entrepreneurial data-driven leader, he brings 10+ years of international experience in the United States, China and Southeast Asia to help individuals and businesses make better decisions with data and technology; his AI-powered Business Intelligence tool, the Aiser platform, was a top finalist for the 2024 Southeast Asian Startup Award.
Sokhna’s passion is to make a difference for education and humanity through big data, AI and Web3. Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, his businesses and network of coders assist startups, local government, and global enterprises in management and connecting with top teams of developers and analysts, from financial services to telecommunications, consultancy, and e-commerce. Nationally recognized with the 2020 Best Social Innovation Technology Award, his industry 4.0 skills training boot camp helps young people upskill in developing their tech careers, ready for the 21st-century workplace. He is also the author of “How Data-Driven Technology Can Upgrade Cambodia’s E-government,” published by the international think tank Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
Josh Penn ’06
Founder and CEO: The Department of Motion Pictures
Major: Business and nonprofit management
Mesmerizing . . . quietly devastating . . . a lyrical ode . . . wildly inventive . . . philosophically astute . . . enchanting and bittersweet—all are descriptions of films from producer Josh Penn and his colleagues at The Department of Motion Pictures.
Mesmerizing . . . quietly devastating . . . a lyrical ode . . . wildly inventive . . . philosophically astute . . . enchanting and bittersweet—all are descriptions of films from producer Josh Penn and his colleagues at The Department of Motion Pictures. With 30+ films to its name, DMP has a mission to be a “filmmaker-driven fiction and nonfiction production company with a focus on ambitious, inventive, and emotionally resonant storytelling.” Josh is probably best known for producing 2012’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, with four Oscar nominations and more than 60 awards from across the film industry. Since 2012 he has premiered a dozen films at Sundance, earning six awards from the festival. Other lauded productions include Monsters and Men (Sundance Special Jury Prize), the series Philly D.A. (Gotham and Peabody Awards), Users (Sundance Best Directors Award) and 32 Sounds (Oscar shortlist).
Complementing its art of storytelling, DMP’s production and consulting services and educational offerings are investments in the creative future of independent filmmaking. Josh and his team can provide expertise to individuals and organizations on every aspect of the process, and their curriculum aims to inspire and help prepare students for any production role they choose. Josh has personally mentored at institutions such as The Sundance Institute, Film Independent, NYU and AFI and has served on boards of nonprofits dedicated to best practices, expanded opportunities, and community enhancement in the industry.
Outside of film, Josh has done media work in politics, including leading roles on the digital teams for both Obama presidential campaigns.
Esteban Arguedas ’15
Founder: Rainforest Beehive House
Major: Business and nonprofit management
Esteban’s entrepreneurial journey is a tapestry woven from childhood hustle and a passion for travel and food. It all began with selling fruit and bread and, at one point, even dog food in his neighborhood.
Esteban’s entrepreneurial journey is a tapestry woven from childhood hustle and a passion for travel and food. It all began with selling fruit and bread and, at one point, even dog food in his neighborhood. Those early lessons in sales and customer service laid the foundation for what was to come. As Esteban grew, so did his ventures. He dove into the travel and food industries, combining his love for both exploration and culinary experiences. The road wasn’t smooth—there were bumps, detours and even dead ends. Failed ventures became crash courses in resilience and adaptability.
Yet with each setback, he gained invaluable lessons—the importance of understanding the market, the significance of flexibility and the art of bouncing back. Those hard-earned insights transformed his approach. Today he proudly owns Rainforest Beehive House, a unique short-term rental inspired by beehives that overlooks the Eternal Children’s Rainforest private reserve. With earned resiliency and wisdom, he offers travelers a taste of the tropics and well-rounded service in the travel industry.
Anna Hetzel ’12
Founder and Owner: Strange Birds
Major: Spanish and Hispanic studies
Anna Hetzel (they/them) is the founder and worker-owner of Strange Birds, a marketing cooperative based out of Columbus, Ohio.
Co-founder: PB&Qs
https://pbandqs.ck.page/
Anna Hetzel (they/them) is the founder and worker-owner of Strange Birds, a marketing cooperative based out of Columbus, Ohio. Strange Birds has worked with hundreds of companies, helping to organize their marketing and communications needs from high-level strategy to discreet tactics, executing what we can and helping source and manage outside contractors on what we can’t. Outside of work, Anna can be found on the ultimate frisbee fields, cooking a meal for friends or curled up with a good book.
Rebecca Ogle, LCSW ’11
Owner and practitioner: Grounded Counseling, PLLC
Major: English
Rebecca Ogle owns Grounded Counseling, a private practice located in Indianapolis. After her graduation from Earlham, Rebecca’s career journey began with a yearlong AmeriCorps program located in Evanston, Illinois.
Rebecca Ogle owns Grounded Counseling, a private practice located in Indianapolis. After her graduation from Earlham, Rebecca’s career journey began with a yearlong AmeriCorps program located in Evanston, Illinois. There she worked closely with social workers and was inspired to return to school and obtain her master of social work, specializing in mental health. Rebecca worked in community mental health settings in the Chicagoland area for a number of years, then opened her private practice in 2019 and eventually left community mental health. Grounded Counseling currently sees therapy clients locally in Indianapolis and virtually in Indiana and Illinois. The practice specializes in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming treatment of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Some of Rebecca’s biggest heroes include Marsha Linehan, Resmaa Menakem, Jon Kabat-Zinn and her own clients. Rebecca is married to classmate Lucas Williams ’11, and they have a daughter. A few years ago, they moved back near Rebecca’s hometown to be closer to family and get away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. Rebecca and her family attend the North Meadow Circle of Friends in Indianapolis to stay close to their Quaker roots.
Abhinav Khanal ’16
Co-founder and Executive Director: Bean Voyage
Major: Politics
A social entrepreneur with a passion for reducing inequities, Abhinav has co-founded two ventures focused on creating positive impact in the world.
Co-founder with Sunghee Tark (2016) and executive director: Bean Voyage
https://www.beanvoyage.org
Co-founder and chief operating officer: Little Big Fund
https://www.littlebig.fund
A social entrepreneur with a passion for reducing inequities, Abhinav has co-founded two ventures focused on creating positive impact in the world. At Bean Voyage, he and former Earlham classmate Sunghee Tark build thriving businesses with smallholder women coffee farmers in Latin America. With his second venture, Little Big Fund, his team supports social impact leaders worldwide with training, microgrants and mentorship to help them realize their visions for a better future.
In addition to work as an entrepreneur, Abhi also facilitates workshops on entrepreneurship, innovation and social change, as well as design thinking at the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education. Having earned a BA in political science from Earlham College, he has also received fellowships and scholarships from numerous institutions, including the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, the Opportunity Collaboration, the Thompson Reuters Foundation, the Watson Institute, the Resolution Project, the British Council, and the Specialty Coffee Association. Abhi’s mission is to create a world that is more equitable, sustainable and just for all. He invites those who share his vision to connect with him and explore ways to make a positive impact together.
Sunghee Tark ’16
Co-founder and CEO: Bean Voyage
Major: Economics
Sunghee co-founded Bean Voyage with Abhinav Khanal ‘16 as a social enterprise in 2016, focusing on empowering
women involved in agribusiness in Costa Rica.
MSc in public policy and government, Peking University, 2017
MSc in public policy and government, London School of Economics, 2019
Co-founder and CEO: Bean Voyage
https://www.beanvoyage.org
Sunghee co-founded Bean Voyage with Abhinav Khanal ‘16 as a social enterprise in 2016, focusing on empowering women involved in agribusiness in Costa Rica. Right now, company operations span both Costa Rica and Mexico and engage with more than 900 female smallholders who have established successful businesses within coffee-farming communities. The organization’s efforts have resulted in these women earning up to four times more for their products compared to prevailing commodity market rates.
The Specialty Coffee Association and Youth Solutions Report have both recognized Bean Voyage for its entrepreneurial efforts. Additional accolades for Bean Voyage include the One Young World Emma Watson Scholarship, the Facebook Social Enterprise Award and a Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals Fellowship. Strategic partnerships with influential organizations, including the Starbucks Foundation and MiiR, and with governmental entities, such as the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, exemplify their commitment to channeling resources towards the advancement of farming communities. Among Bean Voyage’s significant initiatives is a collaboration with the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica, which contributed to research and advocacy that led to the passage of the first gender policy in that country’s coffee sector.
Nathan Schorsch ’09
Founder: Head to Toe Financial Planning
Major: History
Nathan has always been drawn to entrepreneurship and the appeal of creating something from the ground up.
Behavioral financial advisor: Think2Perform, 2023
Nathan has always been drawn to entrepreneurship and the appeal of creating something from the ground up. After graduating from Earlham, he partnered with a close friend to create a sports company, which provided valuable learning experiences despite failing four years later. The idea of wearing all the hats in the company was a tough lesson but proved immensely helpful later in his journey. Most people who launch their own ventures do so because they’re passionate about the work involved; however, Nathan acknowledges that being responsible for everything from marketing to IT can be daunting.
Working in financial services at a multinational following his initial venture, he loved helping guide people along their financial journeys but absolutely hated the large company. Deciding to leave that company with no clients was not the most conventional approach, but Nathan felt strongly about building a relationship with clients centered on mutual respect. In 2018 he opened Head to Toe Financial Planning, focused on working with young people to improve their financial literacy and helping people avoid financial pitfalls instead of trying to recover from mistakes. For Nathan there’s nothing better than the feeling of being in control of your destiny and having freedom in your work.
Daniel Kibet ’19
Co-founder: Mashinani Farmers Initiative
Majors: Economics, Global Management
Through Mashinani Farmers Initiative, Daniel’s goal is to empower Kenyan farmers, fostering thriving agricultural communities.
Masters of international business – Fletcher School, Tufts University, 2023
Co-founder: Mashinani Farmers Initiative
https://www.mashinanifarmers.org
Through Mashinani Farmers Initiative, Daniel’s goal is to empower Kenyan farmers, fostering thriving agricultural communities. In the first five years, he raised $35,000 to fund innovative solutions, including testing new crops, optimizing land use and integrating farming systems. Training 25 partner farmers has resulted in increased productivity, reduced costs and enhanced resilience. In addition to providing consultation and logistics services, the company introduces climate-resilient methods, including high-value crops like strawberries, herbs, spices, honey and poultry products. Techniques such as drip irrigation, mulching, and composting promote sustainability. A cooperative network among farmers facilitates resource sharing and market access. Daniel’s vision is to scale up this initiative, creating a sustainable agriculture model that impacts millions of lives.
Co-founder and program logistics coordinator: Blesser Breakers
https://www.blesserbreakers.org/
Blesser Breakers aims to improve the lives and prospects of teenage girls in Zambia by educating them about sexual exploitation and risky sexual behavior. Blesser Breakers won the 2022 Fletcher D-Prize competition, which awards $15,000 to launch a summer pilot that addresses poverty in the developing world. Based on a UNICEF sexual awareness program, Blesser Breakers was successfully piloted to 500 girls and is being evaluated by tracking the number of girls who drop out due to pregnancy. Market research was conducted by talking with community members, and a collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Curriculum Development Center helped tailor the program to local needs by translating it into native dialects.
Will Alderfer ’11
Founder and Owner: W.R. Metalarts
Majors: Fine arts (metalsmithing), Human development and social relations
Will is a metalsmith, jeweler, designer and owner of W.R. Metalarts, located in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Will is a metalsmith, jeweler, designer and owner of W.R. Metalarts, located in Brattleboro, Vermont. At Earlham College, Will double-majored in fine art metalsmithing and human development and social relations. He combined these two passions when he created W.R. Metalarts, a values-driven company committed to transforming the jewelry industry to be more ethical, transparent and inclusive. Since its founding in 2016, W.R. Metalarts has flourished into a thriving e-commerce business, which employs six people across the globe.
Will’s love for blending traditional and modern metalsmithing techniques remains at the heart of each handcrafted piece of jewelry. As the W.R. Metalarts team grows, Will continues to reimagine conventional business structures, striving to have a positive impact not only in the lives of his colleagues and clients but also on the individuals and communities up and down the supply chains that make his work possible. W.R. Metalarts is proud to be both a Fairmined Licensed Brand and new Fairmined Supplier.
Diane Lupke ’80
Founder, president and CEO: Diane Lupke & Associates, Inc.
Major: Business Management
Minor: Nonprofit Management
“Amazing examples of entrepreneurship were all around me,” Diane says. “There was nothing extraordinary in this.”
MPA, Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 1982
International Economic Development Council:
> CEcD – Certified Economic Developer, 1995; renewed every 3 years
> FM – Honorary fellow member, 2005
> HLM – Honorary life member, 2012
“Amazing examples of entrepreneurship were all around me,” Diane says. “There was nothing extraordinary in this.” Both sets of grandparents had started their own businesses, and her parents each started nonprofit organizations supporting their passions while early in their careers. It was how you supported your family, how you made things happen, how you made a difference. After working in economic development from both the government and university perspectives, Diane was eager to work from the private sector, assisting a bank to gain greater impact from its investments in communities. However, when the bank she worked for was bought out and she was made redundant, it was an easy choice to start her own business. Diane felt she was making a difference through her work at the bank and wanted to continue that work. She chose to set up her own consultancy, Diane Lupke & Associates, and now describes her thirty-five-year journey as a great experience—following, refining, learning and reinventing economic development for communities facing major economic change. Strongly mission driven, the company is centered on the belief that economic opportunity exists within every community. “Communities have the power to act on those opportunities, reinvent themselves, and change a negative trajectory by fully engaging the talents and potential of their citizenry.”
Shatha Sbeta ’16
Founder: De-Orientalizing Art
Majors: Politics, Human Development and Social Relations
Originally from Tripoli, Libya, Shatha journeyed through different countries as a young adult, navigating cultural, social and linguistic spaces and contemplating her own identity.
Originally from Tripoli, Libya, Shatha journeyed through different countries as a young adult, navigating cultural, social and linguistic spaces and contemplating her own identity. The journey led her to realize how little is known about Libya, especially Libyan women. Coupled with her knowledge of the financial struggles these women face, this realization led Shatha to find a way of empowering Libyan women culturally and economically. She has done both through De-Orientalizing Art.
Launched in 2020, this online gallery has sold the work of Libyan female artists across the United States, in Europe and in the United Arab Emirates. Two-thirds of the profits go to the artists themselves. “I was drawn to art because of its ability to transcend culture and language,” she says, concerned that using other venues to give Libyan women a voice would be less well-received in the current sociopolitical climate. Throughout the enterprise runs Shatha’s philosophical purpose: turning away from viewing non-Western art through an orientalist lens. “When someone purchases a painting or print, it comes with a story, which can ignite conversation between that person and their community.”
Laura Ellis ’10
Founder: Bridges Acupuncture & Bridges Wellness Works
Major: Human Development and Social Relations
Minor: Religion
Laura Ellis didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur—she only wanted to practice acupuncture. But with few job opportunities nearby after completing graduate school, she chose to build the career that she wanted.
MS in acupuncture and oriental medicine, Southwest Acupuncture College, 2015
Certified diplomate, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 2015 Certificate in trauma-informed care, Acupuncturists without Borders, 2024
Laura Ellis didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur—she only wanted to practice acupuncture. But with few job opportunities nearby after completing graduate school, she chose to build the career that she wanted. What began as a solo practice in a single rented room has grown into Bridges Acupuncture, an East Asian Medicine clinic in western Pennsylvania offering acupuncture, herbal treatments and more since 2016. In 2025 she expanded her work by launching Bridges Wellness Works, a sister business creating digital and (eventually) physical wellness tools inspired by East Asian Medicine. Both ventures reflect her commitment to accessible, whole-person healing and everyday self-care.
Describing entrepreneurship as a personal growth journey, Laura has embraced the necessity of working with business coaches, therapists and life coaches along the way. “Having clear values, clear commitments and a clear vision, even it’s just the next step, is key to building a lasting business,” she says. “Building myself an ecosystem of support was a natural extension of the values we practiced during my time at Earlham.”
