Faculty Bios Entrepreneurship
Stacie Hargis, B.F.A., M.A.
Entrepreneurship Coordinator and Professor
Stacie Hargis was once a community college student at Broward Community College in South Florida, later graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She started her first business right out of college as a freelance graphic designer. Her first professional career was as Art Director at a design firm in West Palm Beach. Over time, she went back to school to earn various certificates and a Master of Arts in Economic and Social Development from UMass Lowell. Other professional pursuits have included working for Congress and Director of a small business development program. She is passionate about entrepreneurship and often is a consultant for small businesses. Here at MCC, Professor Hargis created the Launch at MCC Center and the Everyday Entrepreneurs Venture Fund, a non-equity, friends and family round of seed funding. She also had a property and small-batch magnet greeting card company. Today, she is committed to growing the Launch at MCC programming and also loves to travel.
Colleen Gordon, Founder of CK Media
A seasoned digital marketer with 10+ years of experience and an MBA, I empower entrepreneurs to confidently own their online presence through captivating brand and event photography. My lens captures their stories and brands, while my digital marketing expertise creates strategic social media plans and strategies to amplify their voices. I’m passionate about helping entrepreneurs build authentic connections, drive engagement, and ultimately, achieve their business goals.
Jack Antounian, Director of Operations and Engineering at Benchmark Electronics
Currently, Jack is Director of Operations and Engineering at Benchmark Electronics, a tier one global contract manufacturer. He’s also an adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College (MCC) the Entrepreneurial Launchpad. Jack has more than 25 years of global operations and supply chain leadership experience in transformational roles within med-device, defense, robotics, factory automation, consumer products, and capital equipment companies. Prior to Benchmark, Jack was COO at Heartland Automation, a robotics and factory and warehouse automation company, focused on streamlining operations and reducing costs for automotive and warehousing industries through automation and Lean practices.Jack is Lean Sigma and TPS champion, and 2 time recipient of the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence and Toyota’s single source certification. He’s a catalyst for positive change, and has successfully developed and deployed product and operational best-practices throughout the business ecosystems and related value streams, including small to large scale Black Belt Lean Sigma programs both domestically and internationally and in the process transforming companies to multi-site and multi-country “World Class” global performers. Jack is the founder of the Armenian Business network (ABN), a non-profit entity focused on leadership and entrepreneurial development through mentoring and support and facilitating networking and advancement in business and careers. The ABN community is comprised of accomplished professionals (mentors) and members (mentees) who are interested in intellectual philanthropy and where mentors donate their time, knowledge, and intellect and provide pro-bono mentoring, advise, and guidance to see that mentees/ABN members achieve success and growth in their venture.
Kim Morrissey, B.S, M.B.A
Business / Entrepreneurship Professor
Kim Morrissey is a graduate of Bentley University in Waltham, MA, majoring in Business Management. She currently serves as the Coordinator for the Hospitality & Culinary Arts Programs at MCC and previously served as the Chair of the Business Department. Additionally, she is the Chair of the Curriculum Committee for the college. She has an extensive hospitality management background working for Marriott and Sodexo. Before her time at MCC, she was a Business Professor at Newbury College in Brookline. She is committed to helping students explore their entrepreneurial interests and pathways.
Diego Leonardo, B.S., M.B.A.
Entrepreneurship Instructor
Diego Leonardo was once a community college student at Middlesex Community College (MCC), where he later served as the commencement speaker for his graduating class. He continued his education at Boston University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratories and Clinical Sciences, and an MBA in Health Care Management at the same institution.
After MCC, Diego built a career that blends science, operations, and entrepreneurship. He is the Founder and President of The Lab Hubs, a company that provides innovative laboratory space and operations solutions for startup ventures. He also serves as the Executive Director and Co-founder of the Latinx Community Center for Empowerment (LCCE), where he leads programs in education, civic engagement, and economic development for the Latinx community.
Throughout his career, Diego has held leadership roles in Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and laboratory operations management at organizations such as Obsidian Therapeutics and SmartLabs. He is active in his community as a Board Member for Mill City Grows and the Lowell Community Health Center, where he advocates for food justice and accessible healthcare.
Today, Diego is passionate about mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering underrepresented communities, and supporting small businesses as they grow and thrive.