Our dedicated, experienced staff has trained early-stage science and technology innovators in topics like business model development, customer discovery, team dynamics, value chains, and intellectual property as they take the steps they need to launch their products and ventures.
Camillo Archuleta, Senior Program Officer
Camillo coordinates activities that are key for the implementation of the VentureWell Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) Assessment Management Program. He supports the development of a range of industry partners to support the VentureWell early stage innovators and a vibrant i&e ecosystem. Previously he worked as a commercial lines underwriter, consultant, and startup co-founder. His education background includes a BBA in Finance and Operations and an MBA with a focus on data analytics from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
Cara Barnes, Senior Program Officer
Cara implements and supports VentureWell’s early stage innovator programs both domestically and globally with a focus on medtech venture development. With a background technology development and public health. She helps innovators address the challenges of developing and implementing technology solutions in complex global health systems. Prior to joining VentureWell, Cara was a scientist at Diagnostics For All, where she developed point-of-care diagnostics for low-resources settings and led field trials in Zambia. Cara has an MS in chemistry from the University of Utah and an MPH from the Johns Hopkins University.
Tricia Compas-Markman, Senior Program Officer
Tricia implements andsupports VentureWell’s early-stage entrepreneur programs ranging from customer discovery to investment-readiness. Previously, as a science & technology founder, Tricia led the startup, DayOne Response, in providing clean drinking water solutions to vulnerable communities. During her tenure, she built a company with international reach, developed key partnerships, invented and scaled water technologies, and secured financing, which resulted in reaching 35+ countries and saving lives. Tricia received her BS in Civil Engineering and MS in Civil/Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Khandle Hedrick, Program Officer
Khandle is passonate about equity and inclusion and promotes both through the implementation of US and global venture development programs. Khandle has been managing projects between higher education, government, NGOs, and industry for over ten years. Her expertise ranges from programs with a grass roots local focus to those with a global impact. A former Peace Corps Volunteer to the Dominican Republic, Khandle holds a BA in Spanish and a BS in International Business from Pepperdine University and a MA in Communication from Arizona State University.
Mark Marino, Vice President, Growth Strategy & Development
Mark leads the execution of global programs, working with local partners on venture development, ecosystem development, and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators in emerging markets. Prior to VentureWell, Mark served as the Chief Development Officer for Seed Global Health, the Vice President of Business Development for Planned Parenthood, and a variety of leadership roles at Health Leads. Mark was a Peace Corps Volunteer with a background in molecular biology research and infectious disease diagnostic laboratory testing. He received a BA in Zoology and Neuroscience from Miami University (OH) and a MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Christina Tamer, Director, Programs—Early-Stage Innovator and Venture Development
Christina oversees VentureWell’s early stage innovator programs ranging from initial customer discovery in E-Teams to investment readiness in ASPIRE. Previously, she worked with a seed-stage impact investment venture fund. The experiences as an investor in addition to countless hours reading grant proposals, building and tracking startup pipelines, and serving as a startup mentor allow her to support VentureWell’s startups with real world examples, lessons, and insights. She holds a BS in Marketing and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Boston.