Luke Burgis
Luke Burgis is a veteran entrepreneur, investor, and educator who founded several companies in diverse industries, including technology, consumer products, and food. Luke is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Director of Programs & Projects at the Catholic University of America, where he spearheads the Ciocca Center's CEDE project to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in high schools. He is also the Founder and Managing Partner of Fourth Wall Ventures, an incubator he built to train and invest in people and companies that contribute to a healthy human ecology. In addition, Luke is the author of Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, which popularized the work of cultural anthropologist René Girard, and co-author of Unrepeatable: Cultivating the Unique Calling of Every Person. Throughout his career, Luke has been recognized internationally as a leading thinker in building businesses on the foundation of a healthy human ecology. He is on numerous boards and serves as an advisor on a number of education initiatives. He also writes and speaks regularly about the education of desire.
Luke Burgis Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Author
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Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Director of Programs & Projects
Academic History
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B.S., Finance
WANTING
Wanting is a groundbreaking exploration of why we want what we want, and a toolkit for freeing ourselves from chasing unfulfilling desires.
The author shows us how we work with a mimetic desire to turn blind wanting into intentional wanting, and take back control of what we want.
It has stormed the digital space, featuring in Initialized Capital, The Daily Stoic, Finding Brave, The Hidden Forces, The Gabby Reece Show and more.
The book was selected as a Financial Times Business book of the Month.
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Keynote Speaker, The Lavin Agency
Board of Directors, Marin Catholic High School
Board of Directors, Father Vincent Capodanno High School
Investor, ramp.work
Co-founder/Chairman, ActivPrayer
Co-founder, Chairman of the Board, Inscape Vocations
EXPERTISE & EARLY CAREER
Luke is a recognized expert in René Girard's mimetic theory.
He started his career in investment banking and private equity before founding four companies.
Fit Fuel, the e-commerce company that he founded, has been recognized as having an outstanding company culture.