Afshan Khan

Innovation Works

Innovation Adoption Program Manager

Afshan Khan serves as the Innovation Adoption Program Manager at Innovation Works.  In this role, she helps regional manufacturing companies in the development of new technologies and processes to gain a competitive advantage in their market, improve efficiencies, and progressively strengthen their market position, by linking these manufacturers to technology experts at the various Centers of Excellence in universities and other organizations throughout the region.  In addition, Afshan provides eligible small businesses with technology support, including training on agile development methodologies, business plan development, financial analysis and resource identification, and marketing strategy and plan development.

Prior to joining Innovation Works, Afshan was CEO of Focal Point Products, an international manufacturer and distributor of polyurethane millwork building materials for home construction, commercial projects, and building renovation.  Afshan was responsible for all aspects of company operations including strategy development and execution, manufacturing, distribution, international supply chain, sales and marketing, finance, and administration.  Earlier in her career, Afshan held a number of key positions in Xerox Corporation, working in business development to lead and coordinate M&A projects, provide market research and commercialization initiatives for new technologies from Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center, and develop strategic planning and forecasting for corporate strategy.

Afshan has an MBA from the Carnegie Mellon Tepper Business School, and won first place for CMU in the International Moot Corp competition in Austin, Texas, competing with 15 international world-class business schools.  She also holds a BSc in Business Administration and English from Duquesne University.