Overview

Gender

male

Brenner is the Executive Director of Innovation Park at Notre Dame. Founded in 2009 by Brenner, Innovation Park has become a significant contributor to the creation of a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Notre Dame, to cultivate new ideas emerging from university research into marketable new ventures.

Brenner is an accomplished executive, with over 35 years of experience at FORTUNE 100 companies, with direct responsibility to lead new business activities, either internally or externally via start-ups. His background includes founding and serving as managing partner of IdeaWorks, LLC, a new venture accelerator in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Prior to IdeaWorks, David worked for Amway Corp., in global market development and as founder and president of Amway Ventures, Inc., which developed and launched new independent business ventures. His professional experience also includes executive management positions at Kelloggs in the U.S. and in Europe, as well as senior marketing roles at Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble.

David has been very active with the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Mendoza College of Business and is a member of its advisory board. David is a member of the Board of Directors for the Irish Angels; a Notre Dame inspired angel group dedicated to furthering startup growth through early stage investments (http://irishangels.com/team/). He is also a board member of the Edison Innovation Awards steering committee headquartered in Chicago.

Brenner is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. David and his wife, Denise, also an ND graduate, are proud parents of three ND graduates: Dave ‘05, Marie ‘08 and Cindy ‘09.