Michael A. Zaydon

Michael A. Zaydon is the program director of the Propel Business: New Venture & Innovation program (Propel) within the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State Smeal College of Business. Propel serves as the hallmark program within the Farrell Center providing valuable and practical resources and support to both student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators.

Under Michael’s leadership, the Propel program has published an extensive digital resource library, provided consulting services to companies, sponsored practical hands-on professional experience to students, funded numerous ventures, supported research on topics including artificial intelligence, launched an early-stage seed fund, and launched the Propel Business Advisory Network - an ecosystem of Penn State alumni entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and service providers across the United States and abroad.

In addition, Michael is the founder and principal of Crystal Park Group, a Pennsylvania-based advisory and acquisition platform focused on creating long-term value and supporting entrepreneurs in times of transition. Michael spent more than a decade as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) in New York City where he managed global teams on large-scale projects within a specialty practice focused on serving private equity, venture capital, family office and other alternative asset management clients. Prior to this, Michael was the founder and operator of an apparel and promotional items company in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Michael earned a Master of Management in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Penn State Smeal College of Business. He graduated magna cum laude from The University of Scranton where he earned B.S. degrees in Accounting and Philosophy. He also studied finance and philosophy at the University of Manchester, England.

Michael is a member of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC). He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA, NYSSCPA, PICPA, PICPA Council and PA CPA Journal Editorial Board.