The L. Robert Payne Lecture Series

Bringing Outstanding Entrepreneurs to SDSU 

Not many people give back to their alma mater as generously as L. Robert Payne has. The successful SDSU alumnus built his career in real estate and development and now has been able to impact the campus through his philanthropy. The L. Robert Payne Lecture series has brought a dynamic range of entrepreneurs and guest speakers to help inspire the next generation of Aztecs. From Tony Hawk to Ralph Rubio, the lecture series’ high profile guests provide impactful experiences and sage advice, helping build an entrepreneurial community around SDSU.

Attend our Upcoming 2025 Speaker:
Marc Barron

Hear how Marc Barron co-founded CourseKey at SDSU's ZIP Launchpad and how you can achieve your entrepreneurial goals right here on campus!

RSVP 

View our Past Speakers

2024 Speaker: Kevin Gelfand 

Kevin Gelfand is the co-founder and CEO of Shake Smart, a leading health food company that focuses on providing nutritious meal options for individuals on the go. Gelfand opened the inaugural  Shake Smart  location outside of the Aztec Recreation Center at San Diego State while completing his degree, thereby launching the very first  student-owned on-campus business at the University. Shake Smart was created to fill a void in the on-campus dining market, and aims to provide nutrient dense meal options to all students on campus, regardless of dietary needs. With a menu able to be customized to serve vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free customers, Shake Smart is the perfect option for anyone seeking a tasty and healthy snack or meal. 

Since opening its doors in 2011, Shake Smart now serves students at over 45 university locations across 20 states. Alongside his energetic executive team, Gelfand is committed to exploring new markets for the Company, including hospitals and airports, so customers can enjoy a healthy meal from a trusted brand, no matter where life takes them!

2023 Speaker: Maya Madsen 

Maya Madsen is the Founder and CEO of Maya’s Cookies - America’s #1 Black-owned Gourmet Vegan Cookie Company. Raised as a foster child and now with three sons of her own, Madsen did not want her children to face any financial barriers to their education so she took it upon herself to earn extra income for the 
family. As a vegan with a sweet tooth, she noticed an opportunity in the market to create a delicious, soft-baked vegan cookie and with the support of her friends and family, Maya’s Cookies was founded. Since its conception in 2015, the company has evolved from local farmer’s market favorite to a national name. With 600% growth in 2020 and continued success in retail and ecommerce, Madsen has been named a “key 
player” in the vegan cookie market, according to a recent market research report. 

From the classic to unique and forward-thinking flavors such as "Chocolate Chip S'mores" and "Marble Fudge", every flavor has a story grounded in Maya's travels, memories, and experiences with specialty ingredients sourced from fellow Black-owned businesses. Alongside providing the highest quality product that appeals to everyone, Maya's Cookies is committed to superior customer service and community engagement, with a focus on youth and underserved communities. 

2021 Speakers: Zeynep Ilgaz and Serhat Pala 

The L Robert Payne Lecture Series featured an amazing journey for two co-founders Zeynep Ilgaz and Serhat Pala, SDSU alumni. They relocated to the United States from a small village in Turkey in 1998. After graduating from SDSU, they eventually co-founded Confirm Biosciences, a health and wellness test provider, which turned into a multi-million dollar company that Zeynep and Serhat have recently sold. However, their journey from a small village to entrepreneurship as international students brought many obstacles and challenges for them to overcome. The couple shared their story of triumph and struggles with students from across campus. 

Previous Speakers from the L. Robert Payne Lecture Series 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Patel at [email protected]

• Lavin Entrepreneurship Center's Payne Lecture Series Do… Noel Lee 
• "Design Your Career" - L. Robert Payne Speaker Series featuring Thom McElroy, Co-founder of Volcom
• Ralph Rubio, SDSU Alum, Speaks on Entrepreneurship 
• Steve Lake, Co-Founder Sector 9 Speaks at SDSU!
• The Tony Hawk Video 
• Lavin Payne Series Stance Video 
• "Lessons Learned" L. Robert Payne Speaker Series featuring Kurt Listug, CEO of Taylor Guitars 

Outstanding entrepreneurs who have spoken in this series: 

• Ralph Rubio, Co-founder, Rubio's Restaurant
• Steve Lake, Co-founder, Sector 9 
• Tony Hawk, BirdHouse 
• John Wilson, Co-founder of Stance 
• Kurt Listug, CEO of Taylor Guitars 
• Thom McElroy, Co-founder of Volcom 
• Jeff Church, Co-founder of NIKA water 
• Jim Sinegal, Co-Founder and CEO of Costco 
• Tina Nova, Co-Founder, President, CEO and Director of Genoptix, Inc 
• Norm Brinker, former Chairman of Brinker International 
• John Moores, Founder of Peregrine Systems & Chairman of the Padres 
• John Sarkisian, Co-Founder, Pat & Oscar's Restaurants 
• Irwin Jacobs, Chairman & CEO of QUALCOMM
• Robert J. Nugent, former Chairman & CEO of Jack in the Box
• Russell Lewis, Founder and CEO of Rhino Linings
• Robert Beyster, Founder of SAIC 
• Ron Fowler, Chairman and CEO of Liquid Investments, Inc