Kelly Shaver

Kelly G. Shaver is the founder of MindCette, LLC, an entrepreneurship testing and consulting company based in Charleston, South Carolina.12 He is a distinguished academic and researcher with extensive experience in the field of entrepreneurship and psychology.

Academic Background

Shaver holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Duke University and completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology at the University of Washington.2 His academic career spans several decades, during which he has held various positions:

• Professor Emeritus at the College of Charleston1
• Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the College of Charleston (2005-2022)2
• Professor of Psychology at the College of William and Mary (1985-2005)2
• Chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at the College of Charleston (2007-2011)2

Research and Expertise

Shaver is an expert on the social cognitive processes that support entrepreneurial persistence.1 His research has been supported by prestigious organizations such as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Science Foundation.1 He has authored numerous research articles and seven books, with his latest work being "Psychological Foundations of the Entrepreneurial Mindset" (2024).1

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout his career, Shaver has received numerous accolades:

• Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS)1
• Fellow of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)1
• Fellow of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)1
• Distinguished Research Award from the College of Charleston (2016)1
• GEN Global Compass Award for Research Champions (2018)1
• Max S. Wortman Award for Lifetime Achievement in Entrepreneurship from USASBE (2019)1

MindCette, LLC

In 2012, Shaver founded MindCette, LLC, which specializes in data-based testing of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial teams, as well as statistical analysis of entrepreneurship surveys.2 The company has developed an award-winning test of entrepreneurial mindset, based on data from three national studies involving over 6,000 people.2

Additional Roles and Interests

Shaver has held several leadership positions in academic and professional organizations:

• Past Chair of the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management1
• Past Associate Editor of the Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship1
• Past Editor of Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice1

He is also a faculty representative to the Federal Demonstration Partnership and a member of the VentureSouth angel investment group.1 Interestingly, Shaver is a Master Judge in the South Carolina Barbecue Association, showcasing his diverse interests beyond academia and entrepreneurship.1