Shawna Chen

Shawna Chen | 

Director

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Goodman School of Business, Brock University

H. Shawna Chen is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Goodman School of Business, Brock University, and a dedicated board member of Innovate Niagara. She brings a research-driven and community-focused perspective to entrepreneurship, emphasizing how founders make decisions, adapt strategies, and navigate growth in real-world contexts.

Shawna's research delves into the behavioral aspects of entrepreneurship, exploring how entrepreneurs communicate ideas, respond to feedback, and present themselves to investors, partners, and customers. Her current projects investigate nonverbal behavior in business pitches and the impact of these signals on evaluation and opportunity development. These insights are vital for enhancing founder support, venture readiness, and ecosystem design.

Passionate about inclusive economic development, Shawna has led and contributed to initiatives that support women, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, BIPOC communities, immigrants, and other equity-deserving entrepreneurs. Her research and community engagement have received backing from organizations such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the LCBO Spirit of Inclusion Initiative, and the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce.

Shawna actively collaborates with entrepreneurs, students, and ecosystem partners across Niagara, translating research into practical tools and programming that foster entrepreneurial success.