Lilli Zakarija Named Wilson Family Adjunct Instructor

A founder, educator, and three-time Northwestern alum, Zakarija brings practical insights and encouragement to students exploring entrepreneurship.

Since joining the faculty at Northwestern University’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2022, Lilli Zakarija has taught two courses at the Farley Center: NUvention: Medical and NUvention: Launch, both experiential project-based courses in which interdisciplinary student teams move new ideas through the entire innovation lifecycle.

She consistently marvels at the students she encounters in class. Zakarija said her students’ creativity, ambition, and drive inspire her to deliver deep insights, a well-grounded perspective, and informed guidance to sharpen their entrepreneurial plans and strengthen their entrepreneurial skill set.  

Zakarija’s commitment to her students’ development and earnest approach to sharing real-world lessons and guidance shaped by her own professional background, including launching her own medical device consulting firm, led the Farley Center to name Zakarija its latest Wilson Family Adjunct Instructor. 

Funded by a gift from double Northwestern alumnus and Farley Center Advisory Board member Adam Wilson, (BS ’95, MBA ’08), the Wilson Family award supports adjunct faculty teaching future founders. A serial entrepreneur and investor, Wilson has long championed Farley Center efforts supporting students looking to launch their own businesses. 

“I’m grateful to receive the Wilson Family Adjunct Instructor honor as well as the continued opportunity to help Northwestern students gain a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship in Farley Center courses” Zakarija said. 

Real-world entrepreneurship 

In the classroom, Zakarija aims to provide her students practical, useful, and relevant guidance. 

“What I appreciate about NUvention courses is that we help students understand the practical applications of their different projects,” she said. “We deal with marketplace realities and what’s necessary to move ideas forward.” 

Zakarija also stresses that the time for entrepreneurship is unique to every individual. She urges students to reject any forced pressure or preconceived notions that entrepreneurship must happen at a certain stage in their respective lives. 

 Zakarija spent 17 years contributing to medical device development programs at Baxter Healthcare before launching her own company, EdgeOne Medical, in 2012. Over the last 14 years, Zakarija has grown her Chicago-based company from a startup operation with no external funding into a 35-person consulting agency and testing house with a global client base in the pharmaceutical industry. 

“I encourage all students to permit themselves the time and space to find what they’re passionate about, strengthen their knowledge base, and explore,” Zakarija said.  

Experience and empathy 

Given her experience in the innovation and product development worlds at both Baxter and EdgeOne, Zakarija brings meaningful knowledge into the classroom to inform and nurture students’ entrepreneurial ambitions. 

“Lilli’s journey building a company gives her first-hand experience she can share with students who are considering an entrepreneurial path,” Farley Center director Hayes Ferguson said. “And given her knowledge of the medical space, she is an especially strong asset for the growing number of students exploring innovation in healthcare.” 

Ferguson added that Zakarija brings empathy into the classroom. Having earned three degrees from Northwestern—an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering (1995), a master’s in engineering management (2001), and an executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management (2010)—Zakarija understands meeting high academic standards, collaborating with bright peers, and envisioning life beyond Evanston. After all, she’s done it herself.  

“Lilli has literally been in their seats,” Ferguson said.  

Zakarija’s Northwestern ties give her an affinity for her students, and she cited their energy and fearless approach to tackle entrepreneurship “at a time before they really have to dive in” as particularly motivating.  

“The ideas students are willing to take on and their desire to learn pushes me to be a positive force for them,” Zakarija said. “I want to match their enthusiasm and contribute to their growth because I believe in the impact they can have.”