Entrepreneurship, Ethics & Social Responsibility
Mario Avila is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of Management at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and Faculty Director of the Center for Social Ventures. He teaches entrepreneurship across Vanderbilt’s MBA, Executive Education, and undergraduate programs, with a focus on experiential learning, venture creation, and real-world problem solving.
His teaching sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sports, innovation, and leadership, where students work directly with founders, companies, athletic organizations, and community partners on applied projects. His teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that business education should be experiential, action-oriented, and rooted in learning by doing.
In addition to teaching at Owen, Professor Avila serves on the Vanderbilt Executive Education faculty, delivering leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation programs for corporate and organizational partners.
* Vanderbilt Athletics Distinguished Faculty Award
* Nashville Business Journal 40 Under 40
* Harvard Business School Young American Leaders
* American Express 50 Under 40 Social Enterprise Leader
* Leadership Tennessee, Class III
Social Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Technology
Prior to academia, Professor Avila was the CEO of Emerge and the founder of Contigo Financial, a fintech company focused on expanding access to responsible credit. His professional experience spans finance, education, entrepreneurship, and consulting across multiple countries.
At Vanderbilt, Professor Avila leads the Center for Social Ventures, which supports students and partners interested in building organizations that combine strong business models with meaningful impact. He also serves on Vanderbilt’s Faculty Athletics Committee, an advisory group to the Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs focused on the role of athletics within the broader university community.
Outside the classroom, Professor Avila has served on various boards and commissions, including Conéxion Americas, The Nashville Food Project, and The Nashville Fairgrounds, and currently serves as Chairman of Vanderbilt University’s Credit Union.
Professor Avila teaches entrepreneurship-focused courses in Vanderbilt’s MBA, Executive Education, and undergraduate programs.
He also leads global immersion programs, including Project Pyramid, where students complete international consulting projects focused on business-driven solutions to complex social challenges.
MBA, Vanderbilt University, 2012
B.A., Dartmouth College, 2004
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