Exton resident Charlene Fitzwater, Ph.D., a professor of business and finance at Immaculata University, received the Jack Kahl Entrepreneurial Leadership Award at the recent Enactus National Exposition.

Enactus is an international organization that connects student, academic, and business leaders through entrepreneurial-based projects that empower people to make sustainable progress for themselves and their communities. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, the student leaders of Enactus create and implement entrepreneurial projects around the globe.

This award honors Fitzwater for her efforts to advance the entire Enactus organization during the year and for her outstanding contributions to Immaculata’s Enactus team, including helping students with career placement.

“With Dr. Fitzwater’s head for business and ever-beating heart for the world, she invests in all students, especially those who use their entrepreneurial actions for others,” said A.J. Castaldi of Boyertown. Castaldi, a business management and marketing major at Immaculata, is president of the university’s Enactus team and coordinated Fitzwater’s nomination for the award.

Fitzwater is one of only two faculty advisors nationwide to receive this award. It includes a fully paid trip (including accommodations and airfare) to the Enactus World Cup in September, courtesy of a gift from the children of former Enactus chair of the board, Jack Kahl.

Fitzwater is a member of the faculty advisory committee for Enactus USA. Nominated by Enactus regional staff, Fitzwater was inducted into the Sam M. Walton Free Enterprise Fellows Hall of Fame in 2018 for her service to the Immaculata Enactus team and to Enactus as a whole.

“Charlene is devoted to both our students and the charitable causes our students support (through Enactus),” wrote Elizabeth Faunce, Ph.D., chair of Immaculata’s Business, Fashion, and Leadership Department, in her letter of recommendation for Fitzwater. “She is selfless in her support of the students. She mentors them academically and personally.”

“My experiences with Enactus have been phenomenal,” said Fitzwater. “The most rewarding thing for me boils down to being able to cheer our amazing students on as they grow in entrepreneurship and leadership that intentionally makes a difference in the lives of others.”

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