Phil Weilerstein

Phil has led VentureWell since its founding in 1996 and today serves as President and CEO. By developing and expanding VentureWell's programs on a national and global scale, Phil has helped advance VentureWell's mission to solve global challenges through science- and technology-driven innovation and entrepreneurship. He’s accomplished this goal by designing and overseeing a suite of programs that encourage and support the deeper engagement of higher education and research institutions in curricular innovation, and developing and strengthening innovation communities. Phil is committed to sharing VentureWell’s learnings and resources to support the creation of inclusive and more equitable pathways for student innovators to succeed in venture creation. Under Phil’s leadership, VentureWell has collaborated with key science funding agencies, major philanthropies, and hundreds of universities to train and support thousands of emerging students, researchers and faculty innovators. After celebrating VentureWell's milestone 25-year anniversary in 2021, Phil remains driven to fortify the broader innovation ecosystem and continue guiding the launch of groundbreaking innovations. Phil attended the University of Massachusetts where he was a co-founder of a biotechnology company developing naturally occurring pest control products. He is a Founder and Past Chair of the ASEE Entrepreneurship Division, and a recipient of the 2008 Price Foundation Innovative Entrepreneurship Educators Award, the 2014 Engineering Entrepreneurship Pioneers Award from ASEE, and the 2016 Deshpande Symposium Award for Outstanding Contributions to Advancing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education.

Chithra Adams

Chithra Adams brings to the Director of Learning and Evaluation role 15 years of experience in program evaluation, including successfully leading an evaluation team for the last nine years. She has worked across multiple disciplines evaluating programs of varying scale in: special education, employment, mental health and substance use, community integration, health and wellness, translation science, and assistive technology. Chithra has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Kentucky.

Jameelah Adas

Jameelah provides support for federally-funded programs at VentureWell including NSF I-Corps™, I-Corps™ at NIH, and Industry-University Cooperative Research Center Assessment Management Program. She brings experience from the Chicago nonprofit and philanthropy space in the financial development and programmatic support of emerging organizations and social entrepreneurs. Jameelah holds a B.A. in Psychology and Communication and an M.A. in Nonprofit Management, both from DePaul University.

Rachel Agoglia

Rachel leads VentureWell’s Information Systems team, which is responsible for securing, maintaining and scaling the organization’s IT infrastructure and delivering technology solutions that enhance mission-critical business operations. Rachel’s work prior to VentureWell centered around nonprofit organizational capacity building, education, and combating food insecurity. She holds a B.A. from Bates College.

Gila Aispuro

Gila is responsible for the day-to-day configuration, maintenance, and improvement of the Salesforce database in addition to serving as a partner in community engagement tools. Her work at VentureWell began as a program officer for the I-Corps and Frontier Set programs. Through that role, she had the opportunity to help redesign a Salesforce site and later became a system administrator after discovering that she really enjoyed it. Gila has a B.A. from the University of Arizona and an M.Sc. in Practicing Sustainable Development from Royal Holloway University of London. 

OKina Alford

OKina is responsible for managing vendor relationships and overseeing procurement processes at VentureWell. She has 10 years of federal procurement experience in the public sector, specifically school district procurement. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBO in Operations Management, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism; she is also a certified Registered Texas School Business Administrator through the Texas Association of School Business Officials.

Arif Ansari

Arif is establishing and continuously improving upon a project management framework at VentureWell, and ensures oversight and alignment of projects to strategic goals through measurable achievements. Arif has incorporated the project management lifecycle across myriad industries, from basic PM fundamentals to portfolio governance decision tools and Project Management Office implementations. Arif earned his M.B.A. and M.Sc. in Information Systems from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business; he is a certified Project Management Professional and is certified in Six Sigma process improvement tools and methods.

Camillo Archuleta

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 B.B.A. in Finance and Operations and an M.B.A. with a focus on data analytics from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

Olivia Arstein-Kerslake

Olivia leads the data management for Higher Education and Global Programs, including developing data infrastructure and creating data products. Previously, Olivia worked in nonprofit data roles where she streamlined data systems, conducted a quantitative analysis to drive program decision-making, and created compelling data visualizations. Olivia holds a B.S. in Cognitive Sciences and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a M.Ed. in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Kendra Balukonis

Kendra is involved in all aspects of the accounts payable process at VentureWell. Kendra has experience in a number of complex aspects of accounting, including managing a company’s credit card system, reconciling accounts, and applying proper practices and procedures to finance work. She is currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University, pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Accounting.

Cara Barnes

Cara leads VentureWell’s early stage innovator programs both domestically and globally and has deep experience in medtech venture development. With a background technology development and public health, she helps innovators address the challenges of developing and implementing innovative 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 M.S. in chemistry from the University of Utah and an M.P.H. from the Johns Hopkins University.

Thomas Bartlett

Tom specializes in endpoint, server, and app management and automation and brings twelve years of experience managing complex technological systems in higher education. He loves problem solving, improving workflows, and getting technology out of the way to enable users to do their job effectively and enjoyably. Tom has a B.A. in history from Rowan University as well as certifications in ethical hacking, agile and lean methodologies, ITIL, and Mac management.

Baindu Bayon Paicely

Baindu cultivates federal funding relationships to enable the growth of VentureWell. Prior to joining VentureWell, Baindu was a Principal Consultant for BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting, where she specialized in the NIH and NSF Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Previously, she was an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow in the NIH Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development Office. Baindu earned her Ph.D. in Medical & Molecular Genetics from the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Em Beauchamp

Em ensures the quality and reproducibility of VentureWell’s data through utilizing best collection and management practices. She joins VentureWell from the financial sector where she applied machine learning methods to large scale marketing and investments data. Prior to that, she cleaned and analyzed longitudinal social networks surveys in her role as research assistant for a study on cyberbullying. Em holds a B.A. in Sociology from Smith College. 

Kelly Bedeian

Kelly supports new and existing programs on the ESI/global programs team. She brings over 25 years of experience managing international development programs, focusing on professional development, arts diplomacy, citizen exchange, and entrepreneurship. Her professional background includes employment with the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program and the Institute for International Business. Kelly has an undergraduate degree in Linguistics and an M.B.A. with graduate certificates in Innovation and Leadership from the University of Iowa.

Allison Blajda

Allison focuses on learning, maintaining, and improving a portfolio of Information Systems (IS) systems and tools, and acts as the go-to IS resource for the teams that use them. Allison brings more than 10 years of experience to the role; her background includes technical project management, Salesforce platform design and delivery, and building high-impact teams in social sector organizations. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and an M.S. in Public Health from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health.

Adam Blandford

Adam analyzes the impacts of VentureWell’s programs and assesses their outcomes using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. His prior experience includes applied economics research on behalf of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations, with specific emphasis on the energy industry and economic impact analyses. Adam holds an M.A. in International Commerce with a concentration in Development Economics from the Patterson School at the University of Kentucky.

Andrew Bogacz

Andrew (he/him/his) brings 13 years of experience to the IS team. Most recently, he was a Creative/Teacher with Apple. Andrew also worked with advanced robots at Springfield Technical Community College’s School of Health to facilitate experiences for students earning their degrees in the health sciences field. Andrew has degrees in Theater and Mortuary Science.

Julianne Boulware

Julianne works with team leaders to ensure that VentureWell’s culture supports growth, learning, and development across the employee lifecycle. Prior to joining VentureWell, Julianne partnered with executive leaders in the nonprofit, municipal government, and private sectors to align their organizational goals to their programs and talent processes. She has a background in education entrepreneurship, program development, talent acquisition, and organizational effectiveness. Julianne has a B.A. in Psychology from Purdue University and a B.A. in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Special Education from George Mason University.

Quasi Brereton

Quasi Brereton works with staff across VentureWell to build and maintain our security posture and help elevate security awareness. He has worked with companies such as Coke, Twitter, and ICE (New York Stock Exchange), as well as smaller companies, to maintain cybersecurity and compliance. He holds Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in IT, is CompTIA Security+ certified, and is a member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Open Web Application Security Project.

Sarah Bucko

Sarah assists with financial reporting and accounting functions at VentureWell, including federal award compliance, budget management, and account reconciliations. She is also responsible for overseeing accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Sarah is a C.P.A. with a background in Audit and received her B.B.A. with a concentration in Accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Dani Cattan

Dani manages the development team’s data systems and provides support for a wide breadth of grant proposals, concept notes, and funder reports. Prior to VentureWell, Dani worked in the arts nonprofit sector, where she developed, coordinated, and managed a portfolio of programs and funding opportunities centered in social justice and accessibility. Dani received a B.A. in Latinx Studies, Art Activism, and Photography from Hampshire College, and an M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management and Social Welfare Policies from the City University of New York – Baruch College.

Allyson Chabot

Allyson leads the financial reporting and accounting functions at VentureWell including grants accounting, funder/federal compliance, tax matters, and budget management. She also oversees the payroll, accounts payable/purchasing, and accounts receivable functions of the organization with a focus on internal controls and process efficiency. She holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst as well as an M.S. in Accounting from Western New England University.

Marcia Chaffin Brown

Marcia Chaffin Brown works closely with the Planning & Partnerships team on various projects throughout the organization. She brings more than 10 years of project management experience to this new role, having previously worked in the education sector. Marcia holds a Master’s in Forensic Psychology, as well as a Master’s of Education, and she is studying for her Project Management Professional Certification.

Nadine Coleman

Nadine brings over 20 years of experience in national recruiting and executive search experience to VentureWell. She has led full-cycle talent searches, and successfully recruited diverse leaders across sectors for organizations including City Year, Teach for America, the Boston Consulting Group. In her work as a Vice President of Executive Search with Koya Leadership Partners, Nadine evaluated and placed executives at multiple non-profits and institutions of higher education. Nadine holds a B.A. in Business from Northeastern University.

Claire Coletti

Claire Coletti coordinates ongoing communications on behalf of the GIST Program at VentureWell. She has a rich and varied background, including design work for various community organizations and nonprofits, often with a strong emphasis on social justice and advocacy; she is also the founder of a tech-finance startup dedicated to developing cooperative housing. Claire holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture and a minor in Tech Entrepreneurship.

Tricia Compas-Markman

Tricia implements and supports VentureWell’s early-stage entrepreneur programs, providing training for innovators on topics ranging from customer discovery to investment-readiness. Previously, Tricia founded and led DayOne Response, a science and technology startup 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 B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Civil/Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Daniel Coronel

Daniel manages and delivers resources to support the RadX program at VentureWell. He brings to the position a wealth of experience in the medical device industry with pre-market devices as well as with post-market surveillance. He has also been involved with medtech startups as a part-time endeavor. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Nick D'Amico

Nick builds and enhances software tools that help VentureWell realize its mission of change. He strives to engineer simple solutions to complex problems. He holds a B.S. from Boston University.

Chris Desrosiers

Chris manages the financial and accounting functions of the organization. Some of the activity he oversees includes accounting, grants and contracts, financial reporting and budget management. Chris gained his business and accounting experience as an entrepreneur primarily in the mortgage and real estate industries. He earned his M.B.A. from American International College and is also a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a B.A. in sociology.

Rokia Diakite

Rokia works in accounting with the finance team at VentureWell. She began her career in accounting several years ago, when she started her own business providing tax and bookkeeping services to local small businesses. Since then, she has held a range of roles in the field, including Staff Accountant, Senior Accountant, Accounting Office Manager, and Human Resource Administrator. She holds both an Associate’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Courtney Drauschke

Courtney oversees brand- and development-related marketing across the organization through the design of full-scale integrated marketing and communications campaigns. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, Courtney has worked for companies of all sizes in fields including advertising, publishing, higher education, and healthcare. Courtney holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Colby College and a Master’s in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Northeastern University.

Katie Dzugan

Katie works on the federal innovation team focusing on NSF I-Corps™ national courses and supports Global Innovation through Science and Technology’s Innovation Hub community. She brings more than 12 years of experience in entrepreneurship education and learning experience design. Prior to returning to VentureWell, she scaled a global leadership program across 15 countries through community development, efficient operations, and program management. Katie holds an M.B.A. and an M.A. in Nonprofits & Communications and a B.A. in Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Cindy Eisenberg

Joy Felton

Joy Felton has been in the hospitality industry for nearly a decade. With an unwavering passion for this industry and love for event planning, she brings her know-how and expertise to manage the events and programs for VentureWell. Joy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management from Southeast Missouri State University and a Meeting and Event Planning Certification from Belmont University. She has served on the board of directors for Meeting Professionals International for two years.

Martín Miguel Fernández

Martín develops and facilitates relationships with federal agencies to strengthen VentureWell’s mission and vision. Prior to joining VentureWell, Martín served in science and technology program management roles at the National Science Foundation, AAAS, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, engaging with an array of different topics and stakeholders domestically and internationally. Martín holds an M.S. in Biomedical Anthropology from Binghamton University (SUNY) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University.

Jesse Flanagan

Jesse supports GIST (Global Innovation through Science and Technology) programming for entrepreneurs around the globe. He has experience leading innovation teams and scaling up operations for a social enterprise that provides agricultural support services in East Africa, and has been supporting idea-stage entrepreneurs since 2014. He started his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. Jesse holds a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. in Social Sciences from Trinity International University.

Bria Gadsden

Bria currently supports entrepreneurs in emerging global economies by coordinating and implementing an online webinar series and serves as the liaison to the State Department for the program. Bria brings to VentureWell her enthusiasm for STEM and experience as a public health innovator and community development worker who has managed numerous community health projects across Africa and the Caribbean. She gained valuable experience by supporting the creation of livable and sustainable communities worldwide. Bria holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and a Master of Science in Community Health Education from Merrimack College.

Demetria Gallagher

Demetria leads the Evaluation and Marketing & Communications teams at VentureWell, and supports the development and implementation of an organizational knowledge and learning agenda. She has led across multiple sectors including government, STEM, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Notably, she co-founded the Jamii Group, leading cross-sector business development, innovation, and social impact; she also served as a policy analyst and White House Political Appointee in the administration of former President Barack Obama. Demetria holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master’s in Sustainable Urban Planning from George Washington University.

Eliza Gallo

Eliza oversees digital content as part of VentureWell’s marketing and communications strategy, with a focus on websites, social media, and email marketing. Prior to joining the company, she worked in university communications, launching and developing a variety of websites, blogs, and social media channels, with the goal of presenting institutional content in an engaging, appealing way. Eliza also draws on her experience as a magazine journalist, at publications ranging from Architectural Digest to Archaeology Magazine. She holds a B.A. from Columbia University.

Tiffanye Gamboa

Tiffanye focuses on learning, maintaining, and improving a portfolio of core IS-related systems and tools, and acts as a go-to IS resource for the teams and staff who use them. She brings 15 years of experience to the role; her background includes managing teams, serving as a liaison for internal and external stakeholders, and honing skills in project management, operations, and organizational development. She holds a B.A. in History from Maryville College and an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Howard University.

Max Germer

Max is the designer for marketing and communications for VentureWell and partner programs. He oversees the visual brand voice throughout the organization and strives to create engaging, impactful design in print and web. Max has 25 years of leading creative teams, including as senior designer for E-commerce at Yankee Candle and art director for Darby O’Brien Advertising. Max holds a B.S. in Graphic Design from Keene State College. 

Mohini Ghoshroy

Mohini Ghoshroy works closely with both the Marketing & Communications team and the People & Culture team to coordinate in-person and virtual events and to support office administration at the VentureWell headquarters in Hadley, Massachusetts. She previously worked as a tutor at the UMass Amherst Writing Center, and she has contributed logistically and creatively to many live music and art events. She holds a B.A. in English, with a minor in Music, as well as a certification in Literature as History—all from UMass Amherst.

Kristen Golden

Kelly Gorman

Kelly supports the intake and processing of accounts payable, and assists with consultant contracting. Drawing on her strong background in administration and customer service, she cheerfully balances the routine of regular implementation against the ever changing tide of as-needed items. Her prior work experience is predominantly administrative, but also includes several years of organic farming. She is deeply invested in sustainability, as well as supporting innovators and entrepreneurs working to change the world.

Jillian Gorry

Jillian focuses on writing and editing content to support VentureWell’s thought leadership work. Previously, Jillian supported Pace University’s rebrand efforts, ran its official student newsletter, and was selected to serve on its first Presidential Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion committee. She has also launched her own digital publication, FemHype, for women and nonbinary video gamers. Jillian is a double alumna of Pace University, having earned a B.A. in English Language and Literature as well as an M.S. in Publishing with a digital focus.

Fernand Gouveia

Fernand develops strategies and cultivates collaborative federal partnerships. Previously, he managed international technical exchanges on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Prior to that, he promoted scientific collaboration as Senior Science Officer at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master’s degree in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

Lauren Gunterman

Lauren Gunterman supports data stewardship and management efforts to aid VentureWell in using data for decision-making. In a previous position at Eastern Kentucky University, she helped to pioneer the Data Initiatives Team by training new members, supporting university projects, and streamlining processes. She holds a B.A. in Psychology, a B.A. in Spanish, and a M.S. in Psychology.

Elizabeth Heald

Jennifer Holme

Jennifer champions a spirit of collaboration and open communications across all VentureWell departments and operations to provide leadership and ensure efficiency for organizational initiatives and priorities. She manages implementation of the strategic plan to ensure systemic alignment of the development, program, and functional units within the organization. She oversees the financial integrity, growth and stability of VentureWell and ensures that talent and technology act in support of administrative goals. Jennifer holds an M.B.A. with a concentration in public and non-profit management from Boston University.

M Jackson

M Jackson works on the federal innovation team focusing on the I-Corps™ national courses at the NSF and NIH. M is a National Geographic Society Explorer, TED Fellow, and three-time U.S. Fulbright Scholar including two U.S. Fulbright-National Science Foundation Arctic Research grants. M holds a post-doctorate and Ph.D. in climate change and glaciology from the University of Oregon, a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Montana, and a Bachelors of Arts from Western Washington University; serves as a Fulbright Ambassador, a climate change expert for the National Geographic Society; and was a Peace Corps Volunteer to Zambia.

Margo Kinney-Petrucha

Margo assists with information management and communication for NSF I-Corps™, I-Corps™ at NIH, and the Industry-University Cooperative Research Center Assessment Management Program. Prior to joining the Programs team, she supported the Finance department by processing accounts payable, tracking consultant information, and facilitating panel discussions, with a primary focus on the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative. She joined VentureWell as a Webinar Facilitator for NSF I-Corps™ and I-Corps™ at NIH. She is a 2020 Hampshire College graduate with a B.A. in Mixed Media and Creative Writing.

Brianca Kirkman

In her role, Brianca develops storytelling and digital marketing campaigns for students, faculty, and entrepreneurs to spread the word about VentureWell and its programming. In past experiences, Brianca has built national marketing campaigns for political movements that have raised multiple six figures, garnered national press attention, and mobilized tens of thousands of volunteers. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration with Marketing Concentration from University of Missouri–St. Louis and an M.A. in Marketing and Advertising Communications from Webster University.

Shari Kouame

Shari deploys a myriad of financial reporting and accounting functions at VentureWell, including grants accounting, budget management, proposal development, and contract compliance. Her previous experience includes performing reconciliations, closing processes, tasks involved in the full grant/contract life cycle, proposal development, budget development, project management, contract compliance, and coordination of technical and financial deliverables. Shari holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting, an M.A. in Public Administration, and an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska.

Emma Kuntz

Emma works in accounts payable and receivable functions, handles VentureWell’s expense reports and credit card expenses, and assists in month-end and year-end close tasks. She has worked in the accounting field for eight years, predominantly in accounts payable, where prior accomplishments include process improvement and the development of different accounting systems. She holds a B.A. in Accounting from Colorado State University.

Samantha Langan

Sam provides evaluation support for VentureWell’s Higher Ed Catalyst Team. She has worked both internally and independently as an evaluator, collaborating closely with stakeholders to design and conduct formative and developmental evaluations, facilitating logic modeling with staff working within complex systems, and helping lead strategic development and planning work. She holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s in Applied Psychology from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Stefanie Leite

Stefanie provides support for learning and evaluation within VentureWell’s early-stage entrepreneurship programs. Stefanie has served as an evaluation analyst for 13 years in nonprofit, higher education, and philanthropic organizations for programs in social services, workforce development, education, and public health. She holds a B.S. in psychology from Worcester State University and an M.A. in psychology with a co-concentration in organizational behavior and program evaluation from Claremont Graduate University.

Jianming Li

Ming manages and delivers resources to support the National Institutes of Health (NIH) RADx and Blueprint Neuro MedTech programs at VentureWell. Previously, Ming served as research faculty at Purdue University, where he led a neuroengineering research group and co-founded a biotech company commercializing antimicrobial products. Ming was a National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship and NSF GK-12 fellow and received his postdoctoral training and Ph.D. from Purdue University. He also holds a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Leah Loch

Leah supports VentureWell’s mission via strategic, well organized, and creative marketing and communications. She has over a decade of experience promoting entrepreneurship education in grades K-14+. She has collaborated with executives at the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship on a communications strategy including email, website, webinars, print materials, social media, events, and press, and more. She graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a B.A. in Communications and Spanish and a Minor in Child Studies.

Tara Loomis

Tara manages the I-Corps™ national courses, including faculty development and curriculum improvements. In addition, she leads the development of new I-Corps™ initiatives such as I-Corps™ at NIH. Tara also manages the Lean LaunchPad for Educators workshop, which takes place twice a year. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Loyola University New Orleans, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the Ohio State University, and an M.B.A. from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Mandy MacLeod

Mandy leads the implementation of VentureWell’s internal Knowledge Management strategy helping to create a culture of learning and sharing. She serves as a liaison across departments and roles within the organization, building awareness of existing tools and identifying ways these tools can be improved to better meet the needs of staff. She previously worked in libraries focusing on metadata creation and management in addition to reference services. Mandy holds an M.L.S. from Simmons University and a B.A. in Marketing from Baylor University.

Elisa Mai

Patrick Maloney

Patrick works to extract insights from data and to supply program teams with the information and tools they need to succeed. He was previously an analyst for Northwestern University in the international security department, where he developed predictive models for assessing risks on international programs; he has also worked as a data science consultant for insurance companies, NGOs, and political campaigns. Patrick holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, and a Master’s degree in Data Science from the City University of New York.

Shaheen Mamawala

Shaheen oversees the coordination of planning activities and resources across multiple stages of VentureWell’s program development and delivery, and supports the engagement of new strategic partners. She enthusiastically embraces the role of intrapreneur, and previously applied her passion for creating positive social change through cross-disciplinary collaboration as Health Policy Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services at the New York City Mayor’s Office. Shaheen is the original project director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Leadership Network and earned a B.A. from The College of New Jersey and an M.P.A. from CUNY – Baruch College.

Mark Marino

Mark leads the implementation of Venturewell’s growth strategy, including new business cultivation and portfolio expansion of individual, foundation, corporate, and government revenue. He also serves as Principal Investigator and Project Director for a number of VentureWell initiatives. Mark has over 18 years’ experience in US and global health organizations leading operations, business development, board governance, program development, and administration. He has a background in molecular biology and infectious disease diagnostics and received a B.A. in Zoology and Neuroscience from Miami University (OH) and an M.P.H. from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Emily Markese

Emily lends her evaluation expertise to the biomedical engineering programs portfolio, including the Innovation Funnel projects. Emily previously worked at a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives and mental health of foster children and others in the community, and was recognized for her work collecting and analyzing data that helped further the organization’s goals of safety, well-being, and permanency. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Biology.

Daniel Matro

Daniel focuses on learning, maintaining, and improving a portfolio of core IS-related systems and tools, and acts as a go-to IS resource for the teams and staff who use them. In past positions, he has overseen the implementation of new tools and processes to improve workflow and communication, and has worked to train others on updated procedures. Daniel holds an associate’s degree in Math and Science, and is working to finish his bachelor’s degree.

Colleen Matte

Colleen is responsible for full cycle contract administration with the many vendors and consultants VentureWell engages with. As a member of the Finance team, vendor relations and commitment management are among her top priorities. With a background in hospitality and corporate finance, Colleen brings a solutions based approach to the management and adherence of funder rules and regulations. Colleen holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Robert Morris University. 

Victoria Matthew

Victoria leads VentureWell’s Community of Practice and social learning initiatives, with a focus on providing faculty with resources, tools, and a support network. Previously, Victoria led VentureWell’s collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Frontier Set and the NSF-funded Pathways to Innovation program. She also worked for more than a decade in higher education—developing and managing degree programs; teaching online; and recruiting and training online faculty. Victoria holds a B.S. from the University of Hull and an M.S. from Marlboro College.

Justin McLeod

Justin leads the development of VentureWell’s early-stage innovator programming that focuses on providing equitable access to underrepresented student innovators and underserved institutions across the US. With a background as entrepreneur and marketer, he helps innovators at the earliest stages of their startup journey identify a problem to solve, build a team, and create a minimum viable solution to transform their ideas into a business. Justin has a B.A in marketing from the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.

Erika Mijlin

Erika provides project management systems, cohort oversight, and manages staffing needs for several federally-funded programs at VentureWell, including NSF I-Corps and the SBIR Bootcamp. Her work in this role draws on long and varied experience as an educator, at institutions such as Temple University and Bennington College, and as a media producer, including the co-founding of Artifact Pictures, a documentary and animation production company in Philadelphia. Her education includes a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.F.A. in Filmmaking from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Rebekah Montañez

Rebekah supports the development team by managing the creation of proposals and reports, coordinating development activities, and maintaining and enhancing the team’s use of systems and tools. She has experience managing events and working on donor fundraising efforts. Rebekah holds a Bachelor’s in History and Legal Studies from William Paterson University, and a Master’s in Global Affairs from Rutgers University.

Liz Muenzen

Liz supports the Finance Department and the RADx Initiative in processing accounts payable and tracking consultant documentation. She has a background in Social Work and has worked in area nonprofits for five years in homelessness and mental health, with a focus on helping youth and young adults. Liz holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Rebekah Neal

Rebekah oversees VentureWell’s participation in the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative and provides support and expertise across VentureWell’s biomedical engineering and medical technology-focused programs. Prior to VentureWell, she managed a portfolio of investments in discovery science, technology, and innovation ecosystem development, focused on early-stage innovation and innovators as a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Rebekah holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia and a B.S. in biomedical engineering from Georgia Tech.

Olivia Noel

Olivia supports VentureWell’s evaluation work across programs, including leading the Evaluation Team’s questionnaire development and methodology efforts. She brings a keen organizational eye from her previous positions with local and international nonprofits, which she uses to ensure consistency and efficiency in program evaluation at VentureWell. Olivia holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Hampshire College, where her research focused on globalization and traditional foodways. 

Michael Norton

Michael provides administration, training, and support for both hardware and software solutions. He enjoys exploring new systems to improve workflow as well as helping bridge the gap between technology and users. Michael has a B.A. in International Studies from American University.

Megan O'Grady

Megan oversees the payroll and benefits functions at VentureWell. She also assists the finance department with budget management and contract compliance. She holds an M.B.A. and a B.S.B.A. with a concentration in Accounting, both from the University of Hartford.

Brandi Orbin

Brandi secures funding for new and existing programs at VentureWell by collaborating with leadership, program staff, funding partners, and external experts in addition to colleagues on the development team to cultivate funder relationships and solicit mission-aligned gifts and grants. Brandi has spent more than 25 years working in the higher education and non-profit sectors, having served in multiple fundraising, marketing communication and advancement roles over that time for institutions such as Georgia Tech, NC State, Meredith College, Catawba College, and Barton College. She holds a B.A. from NC State University.

Lisa Ponce

Lisa Ponce supports the implementation, training, and use of tools with a specific focus on event management and registration, marketing, and project management. She also ensures consistent support and delivery of quality virtual events. She brings to this role a background in event and hospitality management, as well as a B.F.A. from Catawba College and an M.A. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Ana Ramos de Almeida

Ana’s work on the finance team includes assisting in reviewing, verifying, and processing consultant and vendor invoices for payment. Ana brings three years of accounts payable experience to VentureWell, including work dealing with hundreds of invoices every week, making sure everything is processed accurately and on time. Ana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Certificate in Organizational Planning and Management.

Addison Ransom

Addison conducts evaluative data analysis for VentureWell’s programs supporting the Federal Innovation team. Her previous experience includes managing community-based intervention focusing on increasing care via telehealth for populations experiencing homelessness, recent incarceration, and substance use. She has also worked on implementing quality improvement programs nationwide for elderly populations experiencing adverse cardiac outcomes. Addison holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas and an M.P.H. in Health Promotion/Health Education concentrating in Health Disparities from the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Ahmed Rashid

Ahmed leads the financial planning and analysis function at VentureWell. He is responsible for managing the overall budget of the organization, assists with departmental budgets, manages cash flow, and is the point of contact for Adaptive. Ahmed holds a B.A. in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from The University of Houston.

Stacey Read

Stacey contributes to the overall success of VentureWell as a key contributor to the candidate experience from initial application and interviews through welcoming and setting new hires up for excellence. She plays a key role in our culture by ensuring that all employees have a sense of belonging here at VentureWell, and works diligently at connecting with staff on a regular basis across the organization to provide support in various ways. She has a passion for community development and is deeply committed to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how VentureWell can have a positive impact now and in the future.

Ariel Ricci

Ariel promotes learning and program improvement through monitoring and evaluating the impact of federal innovation programs. She brings experience of evaluating programs and outcomes of state economic development programs, along with a previous career as a trial attorney in England and Wales. In addition to her legal qualifications, she holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine and an M.A. in Human Rights from the University of Essex (England).

Austin Riley

Austin (they/them/theirs) will be focused on supporting the People & Culture Team with recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new VentureWell employees. They bring seven years of experience in the environmental education and conservation fields to our team, including three years managing a tight-knit community of AmeriCorps service members, working collaboratively to build a healthy culture of mutual respect, resilience, communication, and fun. They received a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Spatial Studies from UC Santa Barbara in 2015.

Sydney Rollinson

Sydney supports the Finance team with a focus on consultant payroll processing within the RADx initiative. She has a background in Human Resources and hospitality with a focus on community health. She values approaching each situation with positivity and readiness to learn. Her experiences outside of the US have her deeply invested in sustainability and health of our ecosystems. Sydney holds a B.A. in Marketing from Southern Illinois University.

Angela Russo

Angela supports the marketing and promotion of VentureWell early-stage venture programs, faculty grants, and events, as well as collateral development and design. Prior to joining VentureWell, she worked in publishing, higher education, and technology development, where she helped both corporations and non-profit organizations find their vision and stay true-to-brand. She has expertise in marketing strategy, collateral design, and project management. Angela received a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

Lyris Safa

Lyris Safa works closely with members of the Finance team to support in the financial planning of VentureWell. With over a decade of previous accounting experience, she has prepared budgets for multiple programs, overseen process flow for managing budgets, and successfully helped a charter organization spend down restricted state funding before its expiration date. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business, with an emphasis in Accounting, from California State Polytechnic University.

Ursa Scherer

Ursa leads strategic human resources for VentureWell with a focus on creating and sustaining a culture of belonging for all staff and enabling a values-driven, productive, and joyful work environment. She brings with her over 15 years of people-centric experience in non-profits, including leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion work at these organizations. Ursa has a B.S. in Management of Non-Profits from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Michalla Sedano

Michalla focuses on learning, maintaining, and improving a portfolio of core IS-related systems and tools, and acts as a go-to IS resource for the staff who use them. She brings over 10 years of experience to the role; her background includes digital workplace technology, knowledge management, and library technology. She holds an M.L.I.S. from Dominican University and a B.A. in International Studies from Loyola University Chicago.

Harrison Sharitt

Harrison maintains data integrity across various VentureWell systems and provides insights with his data analytic capabilities. He previously worked at an environmental engineering consulting firm where he produced statistical analyses and data visualizations for high-profile client projects. Harrison holds an M.S. in Statistics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

Erik Siedow

Erik supports VentureWell’s grant making activities including the intake, review, processing, and management of all grants, competitions, and other submissions from students, faculty, and innovators. He brings six years of grants management experience to the role, having formerly managed medical student and residency research grants programs at a medical association. Erik has an M.A. in Anthropology from the College of William & Mary.

Mike Sjostedt

Mike is the content marketing strategist for VentureWell. He manages the development of engaging content and helpful resources to impact the ecosystem that supports early-stage innovators on their entrepreneurship journey. During Mike’s 25 years of publishing and marketing experience, he cultivated and managed the online presence for many organizations and personalities, including bestselling author Daniel Goleman. Mike holds a B.A. in Communications from Central Connecticut State University and a Certificate in Technical Writing/Web Content from California State University of Sacramento. 

Mandy Sutton

Mandy organizes and implements GIST (Global Innovation through Science and Technology) programming for young innovators around the world. She brings to this role nearly a decade of higher education student services experience, having worked in the fields of study abroad and international entrepreneurship at UCLA and University of Texas-Austin. Mandy holds a B.A. in English from UCLA and an M.S. in Information Studies from The University of Texas at Austin.

Christina Tamer

Christina oversees VentureWell's early stage innovator and venture development programs. She has a decade of experience working with startups as an investor, instructor, coach, and program manager. Prior to VentureWell, she worked at a seed-stage impact venture fund where she built a portfolio of 18 companies around the world. Christina holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Management from the University of Massachusetts Boston. 

Cindy Teixeira

Cindy oversees data management efforts at VentureWell. She brings over 10 years of experience in the data archives field, where she focused on the areas of data quality, metadata development, and enhanced usability. Prior to joining VentureWell, Cindy managed the day-to-day operations within a public opinion data archive, and led efforts in the development and adoption of standards for digital curation.

Rachelle Thurow

Rachelle supports the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) team and other early-stage innovator programming for inventive entrepreneurs around the world. She is passionate about promoting equitable access to valuable STEM and experiential education opportunities and brings to VentureWell her experience in managing all aspects of impactful, high-quality programming in both the business and education spaces. Rachelle holds a B.S. in Human Services Leadership from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Terik Tidwell

Terik leads VentureWell’s efforts in creating a cohesive body of equity-centered programmatic work by expanding and creating new programs, frameworks, and partnerships that center innovators and institutions which have been historically marginalized or excluded from science & technology entrepreneurship & innovation. He brings experience in inclusive tech-based economic development, having worked with foundations, corporations, and federal agencies. Terik holds degrees in Finance, Marketing, and IT from Monmouth University, as well as certificates in Venture Capital Finance and Enterprise Design Thinking.

Jahannie Torres-Rodríguez

Jahannie leads the data management for L2M and USVD programs. She facilitates data access and use by creating products such as visualizations, reports, and integrations with third-party data. Before joining VentureWell, Jahannie worked in developing non-profit data strategies, particularly assessing and measuring innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Jahannie holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering with a specialization in Computing Systems and a Minor in Entrepreneurship from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez. She also completed a Professional Certificate in Data Science.

Colby Tuck

Colby’s accounting work at VentureWell focuses on government contracts and grants, specifically supporting Biomedical Engineering (BME) programs. His professional experiences include accounting work at organizations of various sizes, where he helped achieve greater efficiencies in internal workflows. Colby holds an accounting degree from Albion College.

Grace Wang

Grace ensures and enriches the quality and integrity of VentureWell’s data by implementing data maintenance processes and integrating third-party data. She holds an M.S. in Statistics and Data Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Sarah Wharmby

Sarah supports VentureWell's early-stage entrepreneurship programs, providing training for innovators in the Pioneer and Propel stages of the VentureWell Accelerator Program. Sarah has managed educational programs in both the nonprofit and higher education sectors; she has worked closely with social enterprises and social entrepreneurs, as well as student founders. Prior to joining VentureWell, Sarah managed entrepreneurship programming for undergraduate students at The Ohio State University. Sarah has a B.A. in Comparative Religion from Capital University and an M.T.S. in Ethics, also from Capital University.

Jaime Wood-Riley

Jaime works as a program officer on the higher education catalyst team supporting faculty through grants, workshops, and conferences. Prior to VentureWell, she was the Program Manager for Educational Initiatives in the Office of Academic Innovations at Portland State University. Jaime has sixteen years experience teaching English composition, literature, creative writing, and business communications in community colleges, universities, and at an Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound middle school. Jaime holds an M.A. in education from Colorado State University, an M.F.A. in creative writing from Eastern Washington University, and an M.S. in Sociology from Portland State University.

Samuel Yoo

Samuel supports faculty and institutions in the creation and expansion of programs that promote sustainability-focused I&E. In previous roles, he led the charge on sustainability-focused program, project, and grant management at the University of Illinois, and taught science in public schools, where he was recognized for excellence in classroom instruction and community impact. Samuel holds a B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology; an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instructions: Biology, Chemistry, & Physics; and an M.Div. in Ministry Studies. He is a certified LEED Green Associate.