Author Profile Andrea Belz, MBA, PhDis a walking advertisement for "out-of-the-box" thinking. As a well-known expert in technology commercialization, she has provided guidance to global leaders in innovation, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology. Her savvy combination of technology review and business analysis has been used by groups ranging from General Electric to NASA. Belz's deep expertise in evaluating investment opportunities has attracted venture capital funds, investment banks, private equity groups, and individual investors.An opinionated thinker (and talker!), she has been interviewed frequently by the media for her unique perspective… on strategy, national innovation, and public policy, and business strategy in the digital age. Belz has spoken at a number of universities, including the California Institute of Technology, Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business, and the University of Southern California, and she has given seminars on product development, financial management, and entrepreneurship.Belz is a long-time member of the Pasadena Angels and has mentored many start-up companies. She has worked closely with the highly successful Los Angeles County Business Technology Incubator and advises groups on development and implementation of public-private partnerships that stimulate economic development and innovation.She holds a B.S. in physics from the University of Maryland at College Park, where she graduated with University Honors and High Honors in physics; a Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology; and an M.B.A. in finance from the Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business.A fierce champion of equality of opportunity, she has mentored young women throughout her life, starting with her younger sister and moving on to talented scientists and executives. As a true believer in giving back to the community, Belz supports a number of philanthropies in Los Angeles. She is an active member of Caltech Alumni Association. She lives in Altadena, California, with her family, to whom she is absolutely devoted.