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SMU’s Spears Institute names Megha Tolia global ambassador
The appointment creates a new role focused on expanding the institute’s global engagement and industry partnerships.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 09, Feb 2026
- 16:25 EST
- 20
Megha Tolia / smu.edu
The Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the SMU Cox School of Business appointed Indian American executive Megha Tolia as its global ambassador.
The appointment marks the creation of a new role aimed at expanding the institute’s international engagement and strengthening its connections with global industry leaders, founders, and innovation ecosystems.
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Tolia currently serves as founding director of the Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, a position she has held since September 2023. Based in Dallas, the institute focuses on advancing entrepreneurial leadership through education, research, and partnerships with industry and alumni.
As global ambassador, she will support outreach to entrepreneurs, executives, and institutional partners worldwide, while helping elevate the institute’s visibility across international markets.
In her expanded role, Tolia will also work to strengthen mentorship opportunities for students and alumni. Her appointment follows a year of new initiatives at the Spears Institute, including the launch of the LAUNCH Accelerator, the Hilltop Founders Pitch Competition, and the Spears Innovation Awards.
Beyond SMU Cox, Tolia serves on the boards of the Center for BrainHealth and The Good Patch. She previously served as president and chief operating officer of Shondaland from December 2021 to December 2024.
“The Spears Institute is not just an academic initiative—it’s a community built on possibility,” Tolia said. “In Dallas and across SMU, we’re seeing remarkable momentum in innovation and entrepreneurship. I’m honored to help extend that spirit globally and support the next generation of changemakers.”
Todd Milbourn, dean of the Cox School of Business, described the appointment as a strategic step toward expanding the institute’s global footprint and increasing opportunities for students to engage with entrepreneurial leaders worldwide.
Tolia will continue her responsibilities as co-founding director of the institute, a role she shares with her husband, Nirav Tolia, founder and former chief executive officer of Nextdoor.
The Spears Institute is part of SMU Cox’s Innovation Triad, which brings together interdisciplinary initiatives designed to immerse students in entrepreneurial thinking and market-driven innovation.
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