Manjit Minhas runs the 10th-largest brewery in the world and is a celebrity judge on Dragons’ Den, Canada’s equivalent of Shark Tank. On March 18, at 1 PM, she will speak online, in a program sponsored by Neumann University, about how to become a successful entrepreneur.  

An immigrant from India, Minhas is known as the tough Dragon on the Canadian show. “There is no elevator to success,” she said. “You have to take the stairs.” 

She has shattered a glass ceiling by breaking into the male-dominated beer and spirits industry. Minhas Breweries, Distilleries, and Winery – which she co-founded with her brother – produces more than 90 brands of beer, spirits, liquor, and wine. She is now the sole owner, president, and CEO of the company, which is worth $187 million. 

In her presentation, Minhas will share the principles and entrepreneurial values that have led her company to rapid success: embracing change, encouraging innovation, and rewarding disruption at every stage of the game. 

Her background in engineering has influenced her to minimize the environmental impact of her company, producing beer using the least amount of water treatment chemicals, gas, electricity, and water. 

Minhas is the author of Brewing Up a Damn Good Story and has received many business awards, including being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. 

Her appearance is part of the university’s Charter Day commemoration, an annual celebration of the founding of Neumann in 1965. The program is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

The program is Neumann’s fifth annual Rocco A. and Mary F. Abessinio Lecture in Management and Entrepreneurship. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Rocco Abessinio himself on Oct. 4, 2016. He and his wife Mary funded the Abessinio Lecture through their family foundation with the intention of bringing to campus each year a recognized professional with expertise in management and entrepreneurship.