Ben Pietrzyk
BENJAMIN PIETRZYK
Assistant Director of Entrepreneurial Education Program
B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice, La Salle University
Ben Pietrzyk is the Assistant Director of the Entrepreneur Education and Development
Program for the Uncommon Individual Foundation. Ben first joined UIF as an intern in 2013
to work with Michele Pistone, a Villanova Law professor seeking mentoring assistance to grow
her non-profit -- LegalED. During his internship, he helped her build and maintain a group
within the academic community and organized the first Igniting Law Teaching Conference in
Washington, D.C.
When Ben became a full-time staff member in late 2014, it was a natural transition for him to
work with other entrepreneurs in EE&DP. He took his experience from working with Michele
as an intern and helped develop the Entrepreneur Associate Program. While he manages and
develops the curriculum for the Entrepreneur Program with Joe Lopez, he most enjoys
working with the Entrepreneur Associates. He finds himself learning something new everyday
and relishes the challenge of maximizing the students experience by giving the students all the
skills they need to be successful in their career after the Foundation.
Ben believes that everyone has a unique set of skills and can make a difference. He strives to
connect people with new opportunities which allows them to use their strengths and inspire
others. He is currently living out this personal mission by forming ondawave, an organization
that co-develops sustainable, community-owned programs to alleviate the cycle of poverty in
the Dominican Republic.
Originally from Madison, Connecticut, Ben earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology and
Criminal Justice and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management and Financial Management from
La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pa.
Ben, a 5 year old at heart, is an avid traveler/adventurer who also enjoys spending time with
his family back in New England.
