The Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Welcomes Two New Advisory Board Members, Carina Castagna ’21/M.P.A. ’22, and Justin Ihnken ‘14

The Stillman School of Business Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is proud to announce that two alumni entrepreneurs, Carina Castagna, ’21/M.P.A. ’22,
and Justin Ihnken, ’14, have joined its Board of Advisors. Founded 15 years ago, the CIE advisory board provides advice, expertise and advocacy
to help CIE reach its strategic goals. “Carina and Justin have an abundance of real-world
advice to offer the Stillman School’s entrepreneurship students, faculty and staff,”
CIE founding director Susan Scherreik said. “We are very excited to have them join
our other accomplished board members in supporting entrepreneurship education at the
Stillman School,” she added. “Each member brings expertise in their specialized field
from a variety of industries, creating a well-rounded resource for CIE.”

Board members serve as mentors and coaches to student entrepreneurs, guest lecture
in classes and at skills workshops, and serve as judges in CIE’s three annual campus
competitions, the Pirates Pitch Startup Competition, Pirates Pitch for High School
Students, and the SHU Hult Prize Foundation Social Impact Startup Competition. Additionally,
the CIE Board supports CIE fund-raising efforts at the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Dinner
events. “Our advisory board is the lifeblood of CIE’s efforts,” Scherreik said.

Castagna is the founder of Pesto Joe, in West Milford, N.J. and is also the recipient
of the 2024 Many Are One Gala Young Alumna Award. Justin Ihnken, ’14, a serial entrepreneur
based in Copenhagen, Denmark, was named to Forbes magazine’s prestigious “30 Under
30” list in 2022, and was a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Competition in 2023. He is currently CEO and co-founder of Enorra_, a SaaS fintech
venture, and previously was CEO and co-founder of QNTM Labs, a pharmaceutical regulatory
compliance testing company.

Castagna’s entrepreneurial journey began during CIE’s Pirates LaunchPad Accelerator
Program, where she honed her business skills and secured seed funding to launch Pesto
Joe. The company quickly gained traction, selling at local farmers’ markets and wholesale
stores across New Jersey and New York, and expanding to ship products to over five
states. Pesto Joe’s success was featured on News 12’s Spotlight Series, showcasing
her commitment to quality and community. Castagna was honored with the university’s
Alumna Award in 2024, a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and the impact of
her Seton Hall education. She also serves on the Young Alumni Council, actively working
to engage the alumni community and raise funds for future students.

Ihnken, who graduated from the Stillman School of Business with a B.S. in mathematical
finance in 2014, has forged a path of success that spans the globe. After starting
his career in institutional banking in Manhattan’s financial district, Ihnken quickly
established himself as a leader in fixed income trading and interest rate derivatives.
His early experiences in New York’s fast-paced finance sector laid the groundwork
for a distinguished career in global finance.

Seeking broader horizons, Ihnken relocated to Copenhagen, Denmark, to join global
shipping giant A.P. Møller-Mærsk. In his role as part of the treasury department,
he managed the company’s $10 billion debt portfolio, overseeing interest rate risk
and derivatives trading. His work at Mærsk deepened his expertise in international
economics and honed his skills in corporate finance on a global scale.

After transitioning from corporate finance, Ihnken entered the world of entrepreneurship,
where he quickly made his mark. He co-founded QNTM Labs, a thriving pharmaceutical
company specializing in small molecule laboratory testing.

Since exiting QNTM Labs, Ihnken has continued to build successful ventures in both
financial technology and healthcare services, solidifying his reputation as a versatile
and innovative entrepreneur. He also serves on the boards of various organizations,
including the American Club of Denmark and Life Science Funen, where he plays a key
role in driving cross-cultural collaboration and industry growth.

A passionate mentor, Ihnken invests in and advises young entrepreneurs, sharing his
wealth of experience to help them navigate the challenges of starting and scaling
a business. His dedication to fostering the next generation of innovators is rooted
in his own entrepreneurial journey and his education at Seton Hall.

For more information about CIE’s student resources and programs, please click here.

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