Biography

Lani Faith Gacula, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Luter School of Business, Christopher Newport University. She earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Dr. Gacula also holds a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Master of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, alongside a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines.

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Gacula gained extensive industry experience in banking, financial services, early-stage venture support, and family business operations. This practical background enriches her classroom teaching and informs her insights into business creation and growth.

Dr. Gacula’s research centers on female entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial finance, with specific interests in venture founding, gender equity, and funding access. Her work investigates the multilevel barriers that impact entrepreneurial outcomes for women, aiming to foster more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems.