The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named Lauren Dunford—one of the leading voices at the intersection of artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and sustainability—as Entrepreneur-in-Residence as part of its Centennial celebration. Her appointment signals the School’s continued commitment to connecting students and industry with transformative leaders shaping the future of the global economy.
During her residency, Dunford will engage with students, faculty, and industry leaders through a series of high-impact events focused on artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and the future of energy—bringing real-time insights from the front lines of innovation into the Barton School community.
Lauren Dunford is the Co-Founder and CEO of Guidewheel, an AI-powered, real-time operating platform for physical operations. A World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, TED speaker, and frequent speaker at Davos and Stanford—as well as a Truman, Udall, and Fulbright Scholar—she has emerged as a leading voice on “physical AI,” bringing intelligence to the machines that power the real economy. Guided by her belief that how we make things matters, Dunford is driving innovation at the intersection of manufacturing, productivity, and sustainability.
Under her leadership, Guidewheel has scaled rapidly across five continents, supporting more than 400 manufacturers—including Johnson & Johnson, Hershey, and Cargill—in boosting productivity by up to 2x while reducing energy costs and emissions by 15–20%. The company is backed by leading global investors, including BlackRock, Temasek, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecolab, and Greycroft, with approximately $52 million in total funding raised.
Dunford holds a BA in Human Biology, with a concentration in Sustainability in Global Environment and Health, from Stanford University, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
As part of her visit, Dunford will deliver a keynote presentation titled “The New Wave of Innovation: AI, Robotics, Manufacturing, and the Future of Energy” on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Woolsey Auditorium, with doors opening at 9:00 a.m. The keynote will highlight breakthroughs at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, manufacturing, and energy, and is expected to attract students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders for a timely and forward-looking discussion on technologies reshaping the global economy.
“Welcoming Lauren during our Centennial year is both symbolic and strategic,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “As we celebrate a century of impact, we are also making a bold statement about the future—connecting our students and community with leaders who are actively transforming industries through technology, data, and innovation.”
Dunford’s appointment reflects the Barton School’s strategic focus on preparing students for a business landscape increasingly defined by AI-driven operations, advanced manufacturing systems, and sustainable innovation.
“I believe how we make things matters,” Dunford said. “We are entering a moment where AI can fundamentally transform how factories operate—unlocking new levels of efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. I am excited to engage with students and the Wichita community on what this future looks like in practice.”
Central to the Barton School’s Centennial vision is expanding student access to real-world innovators. The Entrepreneur-in-Residence program brings founders and executives directly into classrooms and conversations, bridging academic learning with real-time industry application.
“Our Centennial is not simply a reflection on where we have been,” Genin said. “It is a declaration of where the Barton School is going. Lauren represents the kind of global leadership, innovation mindset, and forward-thinking perspective we want our students to experience as they prepare to lead in a rapidly evolving world.”
To RSVP for the keynote on May 7, visit https://www.wichita.edu/entrepreneur-in-residence.