The new series will provide the community with a window into the early stages of important societal, economic and industry changes.
Polaris Program / John Kraus
Jared Isaacman, founder of Shift4 and Draken International, and an accomplished pilot and record-setting astronaut, will be the inaugural guest for Lehigh’s new Future Makers Speaker Series on October 14, 2025 at 6 p.m. in Baker Hall at Zoellner Arts Center.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Nathan Urban and Isaacman will participate in a discussion, followed by a brief Q&A with the audience.
The Future Makers Speaker Series is a new series that will provide the community with a window into the early stages of important societal, economic and industry changes. Lehigh seeks to bring to campus individuals recognized as innovators and disruptors, those whose work is actively shaping the future of critical industries, disciplines and sectors of society.
Speakers for this series will ideally be people who are creating disruption through new technologies, new innovations and new ideas. While on campus, Lehigh intends to provide them with the opportunity to paint their vision of the future.
As a visionary entrepreneur and transformative business leader, Isaacman is the type of guest Lehigh envisions hosting for additional Future Makers Speaker Series events.
At 16, Isaacman founded United Bank Card, which evolved into Shift4. Under his leadership, Shift4 has grown into a global leader in integrated payment processing solutions, employing over 6,000 individuals and processing over $250 billion in payments for more than 200,000 customers worldwide. Today, he supports the strategic direction of the firm as Executive Chairman.
And in 2012, Isaacman co-founded Draken International, a provider of tactical aviation services for all branches of the U.S. Military, Department of Defense and allied militaries. He sold the company in 2019 to Blackstone.
As a pilot, Isaacman has more than 7,500 hours in aircraft ranging from commercial to fighter jets. In 2021, he commanded Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit, and raised over $250 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Last year, Isaacman commanded Polaris Dawn, a five-day mission to space whereby he reached the highest Earth orbit ever flown and conducted the first commercial spacewalk. Also in 2024, he was nominated by the President of the United States to serve as NASA Administrator.
Isaacman holds several world records, including one for a speed-around-the-world flight, which he used to raise money and awareness for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He also formed the Isaacman Foundation to raise awareness and support for a range of initiatives and organizations, including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Space Camp, Guthrie Clinic, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the DaVinci Science Center, St. Luke’s Pediatric Emergency Room, The National Coast Guard Museum and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Additionally, he served as an honorary commander for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
The event is free and open to the public; advance registration is required. Space is limited; please register here by October 7 to reserve your spot.
Polaris Program / John Kraus
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