We are excited to welcome Jeramiah (Maia) Patrick Donohue as the new Director of Student Engagement-Entrepreneurial Mindset at the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, where he will be championing a bold vision for entrepreneurship across campus.
A Wisconsin native from Fond du Lac and as a proud Badger, Maia earned his Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies in 2005 and his Master’s degree in Environmental Studies within the Nelson Institute in 2013. Now he is excited to return back to his alma mater with a global perspective and a deep commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among all students.
Maia’s journey into entrepreneurship started right here at UW-Madison when he began building a startup of his own. While that venture did not ultimately succeed, it sparked a deeper passion: mentoring, building community, and helping others navigate the world of innovation,
“I love entrepreneurship so much,” Maia shares. “I love the people, the pace, the passion, the ideas. It is just the place for me.”
Maia brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He lived in Austin, Texas, for eight years and worked for a nonprofit called 3 Day Startup. This global organization promoted entrepreneurship through experiential programs. He worked as a program manager and quickly advanced into the role of Director of College Partnerships where he mentored students, organized conferences, and traveled to every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Through his work, he helped many with building ventures and gaining confidence.
Following his time at 3 Day Startup, Maia headed the new entrepreneurship center at UW-Platteville as the Managing Director of IDEA Hub Accelerator. There, he gained a deeper understanding of how to expand programming and strengthen a campus-wide startup community. Now, he is back at UW-Madison ready to make an impact!
“I’m super passionate about making sure founders understand the importance of culture. How to be good mentees and how to build great relationships. Students should start building those relationships early so that when they graduate, they have a strong network to rely on.”
Maia brings a fresh and human-centered perspective to the entrepreneurial space. One that emphasizes community, values, and personal growth just as much as business outcomes. He encourages students to think beyond profit and intentional build to foster trust, resilience, and collaboration.
Besides culture, Maia has big plans for his new role at UW-Madison. The first plan is hosting a Reverse Pitch Competition through a collaboration with The Happi Co. (A UW alumni company) that will be open to all first-year business and pre-business students. Another big development is having a New Venture Creation Badge. His goal is to make entrepreneurship accessible to all students, regardless of majors.
Students who are interested in exploring startup ideas or embarking on entrepreneurial ventures are encouraged to connect with Maia. He is eager to collaborate, offer guidance, and support budding innovators from all backgrounds. Whether you are just beginning to form a concept or ready to take the next step, Maia welcomes the opportunity to help you grow your idea into something impactful.
We are incredibly grateful to have Maia bring his global experience, community-driven approach, and spirit back to UW-Madison. Welcome to the Weinert Center, Maia!
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