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.

Categories: Business