The Fifteenth Annual Richard M. Clarke Distinguished Entrepreneurial Lecture was held on the evening of April 29, 2013, in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall (the Mansion) on the College at Florham campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University. The evening began with an elegant reception on the portico outside of Lenfell Hall at 6:00 pm, followed by updates featuring successful FDU alumni at 6:45 pm. Finally, Stephen McDonnell, founder and CEO of Applegate, gave a thought-provoking, rousing and inspiring lecture at 7 pm. Pictures and video coming soon!

Stephen McDonnell

Founder and CEO, Applegate

Stephen McDonnell is the founder and CEO of Applegate, a leading producer of organic and natural meats and cheeses sold in supermarkets and natural food stores throughout the U.S.  Since Applegate’s start in 1987, Stephen has been a major proponent of sustainable agricultural practices and the humane treatment of livestock.  His primary focus is on the misuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture and its impact on public health.  Stephen is one of the founders of Citizens Against Superbugs, a group working to raise public awareness about the overuse of antibiotics. 

In recent years, Stephen has used documentary film as a means to raise public awareness about important issues around food.  In 2010 he helped fund the marketing and distribution of Lunch Line, a documentary that outlines the history, challenges and possible future for the National School Lunch Program.  He is currently funding the creation of Resistance, a documentary about antibiotics and the growing resistance to these drugs linked to animal agriculture. 

Outside of Applegate, Stephen fosters entrepreneurial approaches to solving environmental and social problems.  Stephen, and his wife, Jill, work with a cooperative of 800 Quechua Indian families in the Ecuadorian rainforest, establishing an organic chocolate business, where 100% of the profits support community development, education and health initiatives. Stephen also works with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a program that inspires young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize opportunities and to plan for successful futures.

Stephen serves on the Board of Directors for Stonyfield, Practically Green, and the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Applegate Farms' sales for 2012 were approximately $200 million. Read the Inc. article: Info

Co-sponsored by the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise.

Past Distinguished Entrepreneurial Lectures

About the Lecture Series

The Richard M. Clarke Distinguished Entrepreneurial Lecture Series is made possible through a generous endowment by Richard M. Clarke, President of CE Partners, LLC. He is past Chairman of Yankelovich Partners, Inc. and past CEO of Nash Engineering Company.

With an international career in the chemical, plastics and man-made fiber industry that spans almost five decades, Mr. Clarke has become the embodiment of the global entrepreneur.