SIMON KYNE
STEUBENVILLE — Franciscan University of Steubenville has recently announced a significant addition to its academic leadership with the appointment of Simon Kyne as the head of its entrepreneurship program. This move is poised to shape the future of entrepreneurial education at the university, integrating rigorous business practices with foundational Catholic teachings.
With over 27 years of executive experience in fast-growing entrepreneurial ventures, Kyne brings a wealth of knowledge to this role. His most recent position was as vice president of innovation and quality at Milton’s, a nationally recognized food brand based in Carlsbad, California. His tenure there has equipped him with a robust understanding of the market dynamics that drive successful businesses.
Douglas Perry, the executive director of the Leadership Institute and chair of the department of accounting, business administration, and economics at the university, praised Kyne’s appointment. “Simon Kyne is a proven leader in innovation, strategy and team-based execution,” he noted. Perry emphasized that Kyne’s combination of marketplace experience and genuine Catholic faith makes him ideally suited to guide the next generation of entrepreneurs at Franciscan.
As the director of the Entrepreneurship Program, Kyne’s mandate extends beyond traditional business education. The program aims to equip future leaders and innovators to not only succeed in the marketplace but also contribute to human flourishing, live out the Gospel, and create a positive cultural impact. This holistic approach is designed to foster a generation of entrepreneurs who prioritize ethical considerations and service to the community alongside profit-making initiatives.
The university’s entrepreneurship minor, designed for non-business majors, enhances its appeal by making entrepreneurial education accessible to a wider range of students. This inclusive approach allows students to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and mindsets regardless of their primary field of study, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit across disciplines.
During his time at Milton’s, Kyne was instrumental in turning around a declining bread business into a leading consumer food company. His expertise in consumer insights, market analysis, and new product development played a pivotal role in this transformation. These experiences will undoubtedly inform his teaching and leadership at Franciscan, as he seeks to inspire students to apply similar innovative thinking in their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Kyne has demonstrated a commitment to Catholic leadership and evangelization initiatives. He has served on the boards of Life Restoration Ministries and Friends of Catholic Christian Outreach. Furthermore, he co-founded the Society of Catholic Leaders (Credo), an apostolate dedicated to promoting evangelization and Catholic witness in the business realm. His involvement in these organizations reflects his dedication to integrating faith with professional life, an ethos he hopes to impart to his students.
Kyne has also engaged in leadership training for missionaries through the School of Incarnational Leadership in Canada. This experience has significantly shaped his educational philosophy, which emphasizes lifelong learning, practical apprenticeship, and the inherent dignity of each individual. This perspective, grounded in the “law of the gift,” positions students to understand their responsibilities as leaders and innovators.
Academically, Kyne holds a bachelor of arts degree in history (honors) from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from Western Washington University. He and his wife, Mary, a Franciscan University alumna from the class of 1999, are transitioning from San Diego to Steubenville, where Kyne is set to commence his full-time role in March. His teaching will focus on marketing strategy, ethics, leadership, and innovation, areas that are crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs in today’s dynamic business landscape.
