Talk with anyone who has worked with Judi Eyles — whether a student, professor, entrepreneur, or national leader — and you’ll hear the same thing: she changes lives by shining the spotlight on others.
In 2026, Eyles (’93), director of the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, will celebrate 30 years of being a champion of entrepreneurs and building the Pappajohn Center into a nationally recognized hub of innovation and support.
John Pappajohn, Iowa’s most famous venture capitalist, has been an important figure throughout Eyles’ career. Rooted in his philosophy that success starts with a positive attitude, Eyles believes in people before they believe in themselves. Thousands have succeeded because she stood in their corner, “just like John,” she says.
To Eyles, entrepreneurship is about people. She thrives at the intersection of students and business leaders — connecting ideas with opportunity and creating life-changing experiences.
Eyles’ journey with the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship began in 1996, the year it was founded, when she joined as assistant director. From day one, she was instrumental in pioneering a bold vision: to weave entrepreneurship into every corner of the university, across all disciplines, through real-world experiences, and with an emphasis on innovation and university-based venture creation.
Over the years, she has built bridges among colleges, departments, and community partners. In 2017, she became director of the center, guiding its evolution from a small resource hub into a globally recognized and award-winning center for entrepreneurial learning and innovation. In her nearly three decades at the university, Eyles has founded or helped facilitate several transformational programs and initiatives, including CYstarters, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Learning Community, the Entrepreneur Club (E-Club), the Reiman Entrepreneur Speaker Series and Reiman Internship program, CyBIZ Lab, and the College-by-College Pitch Off. For all her work advancing entrepreneurship, Eyles was honored last month as the 2025 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Legacy Award winner.
Despite all of her achievements, Eyles is quick to shy away from the spotlight.
“This is not my thing; this is an Iowa State thing,” she says. “The fact that I played a role in what we have created is very special. There is an amazing team here at the Pappajohn Center and many people across campus who make this work successful.”
When asked about her legacy, Eyles said it’s hard to think that way.
“I hope what I am doing matters to people,” she says. “I hope I am making a difference in people’s lives and have helped in some way in their creating successful ventures — now or down the road.”