Millie Chu
Faculty Affiliate @William Davidson Institute
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WORK HISTORY
Faculty Affiliate @William Davidson Institute
Ann Arbor, MI, US
As a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Michigan’s William Davidson Institute, I developed entrepreneurship programs and curricula to empower refugees in the Middle East through social gastronomy and played a key role in designing the Entrepreneurship Coaching Platform for the Kingdom of Bahrain.Empowering Refugees I supported the development of sustainable livelihood solutions by fostering entrepreneurship, mentorship, and job creation in the food industry for Syrian refugees, other displaced individuals, and host communities in Turkey. Through this initiative, I helped create pathways for economic independence and community integration.Curriculum Development & TrainingAs part of my work, I co-authored and reviewed a 27-module entrepreneurship curriculum and conducted instructional training for trainers and leadership staff to expand the program’s reach and effectiveness.Entrepreneurship CoachingServing as the Lead Developer and Trainer for the Business Coaching Platform in Manama, Bahrain, I assessed program needs, evaluated coaching teams, and guided Bahrain’s Business Coaching Department.Structured Program FrameworkTo ensure a structured and impactful coaching experience, I designed a 4-phase coaching framework covering Strategic Planning, Operational Execution, Resource Development, and Professional Growth. This framework provided entrepreneurs with a clear roadmap for business success.Content DevelopmentI created comprehensive modules, study tools, templates, and guides while providing ongoing online support to teams. Advisory & SupportBy offering continuous advisory support to the business coaching team, I helped build a solid foundation for entrepreneurship programs that drive long-term success.
EDUCATION
Davenport University
Bachelor of Applied Science, Business Management
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence, Executive Education
Grand Valley State University
Certified Small Business Consultant, SBDC Academy, Business Consulting
Great Lakes Christian College
Bachelor of Religious Education, Theology
Spring Arbor University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management
SKILLS
ABOUT MILLIE CHU
My journey—from a child immigrant arriving in America with nothing but grit, hope, and determination—to founding the Global Entrepreneurship Business Lab (GEBL) is rooted in a legacy of perseverance, sacrifice, and vision. We came to the U.S. with little more than the belief that a better life could be built from scratch.My story is rooted in the echoes of my family’s hopes and the fire we carried across oceans. From those quiet beginnings bloomed a mission to uplift voices like ours—often unseen, but never without power.At 11, I was introduced to entrepreneurship—not by choice, but by necessity. I became my family’s translator, our bridge to a world that didn’t speak our language. My family and I pushed through every language, financial, and social barrier. The system was not made for us—but we built within it anyway.Despite discrimination and a lack of access to resources, we launched two successful food-based businesses in Michigan—creating not only sustenance for our family, but jobs for Americans and immigrants alike. Those early years taught me that entrepreneurship can be more than survival; it can be a force for transformation.These lived experiences became the blueprint for my life’s work. GEBL is both a tribute to my family\'s journey and a platform built to level the playing field for others. My purpose is to transform the vision of a vibrant business landscape into a tangible reality—where ALL people have the tools and support they need to thrive.Recognized by Forbes as an immigrant leader, I’ve dedicated my career to empowering communities globally through holistic entrepreneurship and workforce training. In collaboration with mission-driven organizations, we’re cultivating ecosystems where innovation and economic growth can flourish.From developing entrepreneurship programs for refugees in the Middle East with the University of Michigan, designing sustainability trainings for the United Nations, leading immigrant initiatives with Global Detroit, to creating Uplift MI with the Michigan SBDC and working alongside partners like Ann Arbor SPARK and LEAP and more—my work is built on one truth: when we uplift those most often excluded, we elevate the future for all.I’ve advised thousands, helped launch over 90 startups, and designed education programs that meet people where they are—because lasting impact begins by building bridges, not barriers.GEBL is proudly a 100% Asian/Pacific Islander Minority-Owned & Women-Owned Business.
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