Meet the IIE Team
Wade Martin, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Dr. Wade Martin is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach. He works primarily in the area of risk analysis related to business development and sustainability for local economic development. He has worked on research and development projects for Downtown Long Beach Alliance, CalRECYLES, the World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the USDA Forest Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Government of Indonesia and has been a visiting scholar at Harvard Institute for International Development. Dr. Martin has published in numerous academic journals, edited three books and been a commentator on Market Place on NPR as well as for numerous newspapers. He has served as editor-in-chief of the academic journal Contemporary Economic Policy.
Ingrid M. Martin, Ph.D.
Marketing Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Dr. Martin is a professor of marketing and the director of marketing with the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Her teaching has primarily focused on sustainability, teaching an integrative set of courses with a team of faculty in the MBA programs. Dr. Martin’s published work has covered a range of social marketing topics including risk communication, maladaptive behaviors in the areas of disaster mitigation and consumption practices. Her work has been published in the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, Risk Analysis, Journal of Environmental Management, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Research, as well as numerous books and book chapters. Dr. Martin is on the editorial review board of three academic journals in her field and she serves as a reviewer of numerous journals in marketing, public policy and environmental management. She has also worked as an expert in legal cases around brand confusion and deceptive marketing practices. Dr. Martin is the Advisory Board of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which has led the efforts to bring innovation and entrepreneurship into the education of both graduate and undergraduate students at CSULB as well as support small businesses and new business development within the university and in the Long Beach community.
Monique Palmera
Engagement & Operations Lead, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
A CSULB graduate with a degree in Marketing, Monique specializes in transforming ideas into compelling content. Her innovative strategies help us connect with our diverse community. Monique's warm and approachable personality, combined with her keen understanding of people, allows her to cultivate meaningful relationships. This ability is crucial in her role, as she fosters belonging and community within our organization.
Christina Lang
Assistant Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Christina Lang is Assistant Director of the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach. Christina specializes in data-driven marketing strategy, stakeholder collaboration, and operational leadership. She holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from CSU Long Beach and a B.Sc. in Business Administration and Economics, with a concentration in market-oriented management, from the University of Hohenheim in Germany. Her bachelor’s thesis explored how leadership culture impacts organizational innovation. Christina brings valuable consulting experience in digital marketing and go-to-market strategy for startups and nonprofit organizations, which enables her to provide practical, data-informed guidance and support to entrepreneurs and programs within the Institute.
Alan Luong
Graduate Assistant, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
California State University, Long Beach
Alan Luong is a current MS Marketing Analytics student at California State University, Long Beach, specializing in digital marketing, marketing analytics, and market research. He actively supports entrepreneurship and innovation by using data-driven strategies to optimize marketing efforts and solve complex marketing challenges. Beyond his technical skills, Alan is a natural collaborator, known for his ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate complex data insights. His commitment to continuous learning, combined with his enthusiasm for staying ahead of marketing trends, makes him valuable in today’s competitive digital landscape.
