--- title: "O'Malley School of Business Names First Entrepreneur-in-Residence" url: "/news/manhattan-university-names-first-entrepreneur-in-residence" type: article date: 2026-09-10 updated: 2026-09-14 --- # O'Malley School of Business Names First Entrepreneur-in-Residence # O'Malley School of Business Names First Entrepreneur-in-Residence Avani Modi Sarkar joins Manhattan University as the O’Malley School of Business’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Image ![Image of Avani Modi Sarkar](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-09/Headshot-Avani-Modi-Sarkar.jpg?h=bd22f0eb&itok=H7JEolyS) **RIVERDALE, N.Y.** - Avani Modi Sarkar has spent two decades building brands, most notably the children's brand Modi Toys. This fall, she joins Manhattan University as the O'Malley School of Business's first Entrepreneur-in-Residence, a role supported by Mike Kelly '80, member of the O'Malley School of Business Advisory Board, and his continued investment in the Entrepreneurship Center. In the role, Sarkar will work closely with the Entrepreneurship Center and campus stakeholders, with a key focus on guiding students through the Innovation Challenge, the O'Malley School of Business's annual co-curricular competition that challenges students to think like entrepreneurs by generating ideas for new products or services. > "We are very fortunate to have Avani on board as our first Entrepreneur-in-Residence," said Grishma Shah, Ph.D., interim dean of the O'Malley School of Business. "Avani brings with her not just the experience and practical knowledge of starting and running a business, but the tenacity and grit needed to push through adversity. Students are showing greater interest in entrepreneurship, and our new Entrepreneur-in-Residence will be key in raising visibility for programming under our ARCH initiatives." Sarkar brings two decades of marketing and brand-building experience across global enterprises and self-funded entrepreneurship, built on an MBA from Rutgers Business School and a B.S. in Marketing. She is best known for co-founding Modi Toys in 2018, a first-of-its-kind cultural children's brand. Her work has earned recognition including Forbes Next 1000, Inc. Female Founders and a Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship. "What drew me to the role is that I've been there, done that: the person staring at a raw idea with no clue how to turn it into a real business," said Sarkar. "I know how much a little guidance at that stage matters, and getting to be that person for students... that's an exciting journey, and I'm looking forward to being a part of it." Manhattan University is proud to welcome Sarkar to the Jasper family as she begins this new chapter with the O'Malley School of Business. **Media Contact:** Robert Cole Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Manhattan University Phone: [718-862-7993](tel:7188627993) Email: [Academics](/news?category%5B232%5D=232) ### About Manhattan University Founded in 1853, Manhattan University is an independent Lasallian Catholic institution located in Riverdale, NY that embraces students of all faiths, cultures, and traditions. The mission of the University is to provide a dynamic student-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional success, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings. Manhattan University offers programs that integrate a broad liberal arts education coupled with a concentration in specific disciplines in the arts and sciences with professional preparation in business and engineering, ensuring graduates will excel in their chosen fields. The University consists of the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences, the O’Malley School of Business, and the School of Engineering. For further information, please visit [www.manhattan.edu](https://www.manhattan.edu).