Todd and Kim Saxton, IU Kelley School of Business Professors Extend Their Passion Beyond the Classroom

What do two high-energy individuals who are passionate about their work do for fun? The answer: invest in startups, consult with business owners, mentor, hold Board positions, support charitable organizations, travel, ski, boat and train for triathlons.

Todd Saxton is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship for IU Kelley School of Business, 2015 President of Board of Directors for the Venture Club of Indiana, and Indiana Venture Faculty Fellow. Kim Saxton is a Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing at IU Kelley, leads Lean In Circle for women MBA students, and hold s a PhD in statistics. The popular professors both instruct an unusually high number of classes per year, more than double the average.

Not only are Todd and Kim committed to education, they are involved beyond the scope of their jobs and have immersed themselves in the venture community, walking the walk of the talk they talk during lectures. For example, fifteen years ago, Todd sought opportunities to strengthen the relationship between Kelley and the Indianapolis venture community, so he joined the Venture Club of Indianapolis, of which he is now President. Both Todd and Kim are involved with numerous other organizations, including being board members for Marlon Jackson’s Fight for Life organization which facilitates social and emotional learning programs for kids.

Entrepreneurs at heart, neither set out to be educators, but eventually tapped into their natural talent in the area, as both have parents that were teachers. The two met as employees of a startup company providing competitive analysis for potential acquisitions outside of DC.

The appeal of IU’s MBA program brought them to Indianapolis. “We were looking for a program that would work with the needs of our growing family,” shares Todd. IU won out over several schools, including a couple Ivy League options.

Now that their girls were older, Todd and Kim have made a commitment to each other and set new goals to celebrate turning 50. After years of taking their daughters to kids’ triathlons, they decided to train for their own Ironman. No small undertaking, this fits right in line with their “all in” modus operandi.

Everything that Todd and Kim do is done with intensity and tenacity of purpose. An Ironman race is the pinnacle of a personal fitness challenge. Supportive and dedicated, the time spent training only brought Kim and Todd closer. Together, they are a team, and they are both coaches as well.

Todd and Kim are people of initiative and action, engaging and energetic. Whether it is triathlons, corporate ventures, the entrepreneurial community, or teaching, the Saxtons are fully engaged. Their passion for what they do shines through.

“There is an entrepreneur inside of all of us, depending on circumstance and provocativeness, it can come out at any time,” states Todd.

This article originally appeared on TownPost.com March 2015.