From pitching bold ideas as a high schooler in the EntreX dual enrollment program to launching ventures through Horn’s startup programs and now driving impact as an intrapreneur within a legacy nonprofit, Lynn Roberts, Class of 2024, has experienced the full arc of Horn Entrepreneurship.
As Program Manager at the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, Lynn leads initiatives that champion bold, scalable ideas to strengthen Delaware’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing systems thinking, creativity, and a spirit of service to everything she does. Outside of work, Lynn enjoys boating, exploring farmers markets, supporting local small businesses, and traveling to experience new cultures, always carrying her curious, community-centered mindset wherever she goes. We caught up with her to learn more about her journey from student entrepreneur to civic changemaker, and how she’s using her Horn roots to empower others along the way.
Tell us about the work you’re doing and how you’re bringing innovation or entrepreneurial thinking to your company.
At the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, I help create and scale bold, innovative ideas in Delaware. One of our signature programs, Reinventing Delaware, begins with a pitch dinner and functions as an incubator for civic and economic innovation. My work focuses on improving processes, implementing systems, and driving community collaboration to support small businesses and early-stage founders. I approach this with an entrepreneurial mindset—using my background in data and systems to design strategic solutions that adapt to the needs of the entrepreneurs we serve.
What inspired you to pursue this path within an established organization?
I was drawn to this role by the opportunity to carry forward Governor Pete du Pont’s legacy of promoting access to a diverse marketplace and ensuring free enterprise for all. Our organization is flexible and adaptive, allowing me to bring a systems-driven, data-informed approach to problem-solving while staying grounded in community impact.
What’s been a highlight or proud moment in your role?
A major highlight was hosting our CEO Series and moderating a fireside chat with entrepreneur Charlie Horn at the Wilmington Club. It was a well-attended, high-impact event that received tremendous positive feedback and elevated the visibility of our programs.
How did your time at UD and Horn Entrepreneurship shape the way you approach your career?
UD and Horn Entrepreneurship taught me how to think creatively, act quickly, and lead with confidence. Although I work at a legacy nonprofit, our newer programs, like E3, operate more like startups. My data analytics background helps me build structure and process, while my entrepreneurial training supports innovation, storytelling, and program development. These combined skills have been essential in designing new initiatives and forming strategic partnerships.
What advice would you give to students or young alumni who want to be entrepreneurial within an organization?
First, take time to understand the existing landscape before proposing changes. It’s tempting to jump in and try to innovate right away, but not everyone is ready for change—some may fear it will add to their workload. Be strategic. Present new ideas with a clear plan for execution and demonstrate the positive impact your solution can bring.
What’s next for you—any exciting projects, goals, or future plans?
My long-term goal is to lead my own organization or start a flexible consulting firm that supports early-stage founders and community-driven projects. This role has helped me discover strengths in partnership-building, program design, and operational strategy. I’m excited to continue growing in this space—and while the future is still unfolding, it certainly looks bright.
Lynn’s journey is a shining example of what it looks like to grow with Horn from a high school student pitching in the EntreX dual enrollment program, to a campus innovator in VentureOn, Hen Hatch, and Summer Founders, to serving as a Horn Ambassador and Delaware Innovation Fellow. Today, she brings that same entrepreneurial energy to her professional life and continues to give back as a volunteer judge, closing the loop for the next generation of student innovators.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
