Since 1996, Phil has been the chief executive of VentureWell. From the beginning, Phil’s focus for VentureWell has been to help bring socially beneficial applications of STEM inventions to market. He’s accomplished this goal by designing and overseeing programs that encourage curricular innovation and student venture creation, provide resources for faculty and student entrepreneurs, and develop community through conferences and workshops for faculty and students.
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. pweilerstein@venturewell.org
Rachel manages VentureWell’s Salesforce deployment and other projects related to the expansion and improvement of the organization’s information systems. She has served many roles at VentureWell over the years in the areas of program delivery and grants management and therefore brings a deep understanding of the organization’s IT system needs and processes to her current position. Prior to VentureWell, Rachel worked at a variety of other nonprofits committed to addressing issues of hunger and homelessness, education reform, and strengthening nonprofit organizational capacity. ragoglia@venturewell.org
Alisa Ainbinder iss the lead evaluator for the I-Corps™ Longitudinal Outcomes survey and the formative evaluation for the I-Corps™ course. Prior to joining VentureWell, she worked at Mathematica Policy Research in their Washington, D.C. location where she was a survey researcher on numerous federal program data collection and evaluation efforts. Alisa holds a PhD in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, an MA in Social Work and an MA in Social Science also from the University of Chicago. aainbinder@venturewell.org
Gila manages the coordination and implementation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Frontier Set network. Prior to this role, Gila served as a VentureWell program officer for NSF’s I-Corps program. Gila has over 10 years of experience working in higher education and the non-profit sector. She holds a BA from the University of Arizona and an MSc in Practicing Sustainable Development from Royal Holloway University of London. gaispuro@venturewell.org
Hollie oversees the planning and implementation of various programs and events across North America and worldwide including VentureWell’s OPEN Conference. Since 2014, Hollie has worked closely with VentureWell staff, funders and external vendors to execute flawless settings for faculty and early-stage innovators to network and learn. Prior to joining VentureWell, she held various positions at Northwestern Mutual, Coca-Cola Refreshments, and Valdosta State University. Hollie is a seasoned professional with strengths in organization, attention to detail, and budget and relationship management. She earned dual BBAs in Marketing and in Management and an MBA from Valdosta State University. halvarez@venturewell.org
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. carchuleta@venturewell.org
Cara implements VentureWell’s Xcelerator Training Program, which supports early-stage innovators developing healthcare technology for emerging markets. Combining education and experience in chemistry and public health, she helps innovators overcome 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 medical diagnostics for low-resource settings and led field trials in rural Zambia. Cara has an MS in chemistry from the University of Utah and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University. cbarnes@venturewell.org
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 BA in Sociology from Smith College. ebeauchamp@venturewell.org
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 MA in International Commerce with a concentration in Development Economics from the Patterson School at the University of Kentucky. ablandford@venturewell.org
Allison oversees the marketing and communications activity at VentureWell. She is leading the strategy to build VentureWell brand recognition and to promote and support VentureWell programs. Prior to VentureWell, she worked in marketing at a variety of corporations, including Yankee Candle and SC Johnson, where she developed a track record of employing user-centric approaches to uncover strategic insights and leading teams to drive business growth through innovation. Allison holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Cornell University. ableyler@venturewell.org
Patricia oversees the efficient intake, review, processing, and finalization of all submitted student and faculty grant proposals and competition entries. She manages pre- and post-award processes and works with student and faculty grantees and institution sponsored research staff to ensure procedural compliance on funded awards. During her time at VentureWell Patricia has worked on many student and faculty programs. Patricia has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. pboynton@venturewell.org
Brenna supports marketing and communications for VentureWell membership and several other programs, including email marketing, coordination of collateral production, and promotional plans. She has worked for a variety of nonprofits and has a background in communications and marketing, event management, and project coordination. Brenna holds a BS in Sport Management from the University of Delaware. bbreeding@venturewell.org
Dorn is responsible for VentureWell’s programs and industry-university-government collaboration models that drive innovation, including VentureWell’s collaboration with NSF’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers Program. Dorn’s expertise spans program management and innovation strategy with a focus on science and technology commercialization. His educational background includes a BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a PhD in Chemistry, and an Executive MBA with focus on Strategy and Leadership. dcarranza@venturewell.org
Allyson assists the Director of Finance in executing the financial reporting and accounting functions of the organization including grants accounting, tax matters, budget management and compliance. She also manages the payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions of the organization. She holds a BA in economics degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst as well as a MS in Accounting degree from Western New England University. achabot@venturewell.org
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 MBA from American International College and is also a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a BA in sociology. cdesrosiers@venturewell.org
Tonya provides administrative support to the Programs area. She brings to this position a background in database administration and information management at non-profit institutions in Boston and Northampton. She received her BA from William and Mary. tdixon@venturewell.org
Tessa coordinates the operations and logistics for many VentureWell events, focusing especially on the E-Team program for which she is lead events manager. She began her career working on the vendor side of the hospitality industry, and held positions at University of Massachusetts Amherst, Homewood Suites Holyoke and Chandler’s Restaurant at Yankee Candle. Tessa earned a degree in hospitality from the Isenberg School of Management at University of Massachusetts Amherst. tdoubleday@venturewell.org
Sarah assists with financial reporting and analysis at VentureWell, and is responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, and account reconciliations. She is a CPA and most recently worked as an auditor at a public accounting firm in Connecticut. Sarah received her BBA with a concentration in Accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at University of Massachusetts Amherst. seisenberg@venturewell.org
Janine is a curriculum designer and facilitator for various training programs hosted by VentureWell. She has a passion for supporting faculty, investors, and institutions that help student entrepreneurs on their path to commercialization. Since working as a coach to hundreds of E-team grantees and as a former co-founder of a cleantech materials startup, Janine is familiar with best (and worst) practices for science-based innovators in regulated industries, such as energy, healthcare, chemicals, and agriculture. She earned an MBA with an emphasis in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University of California and holds a BA of Environmental Studies from Colby College. jelliott@venturewell.org
Kristen catalyzes new initiatives at VentureWell at the intersection of program development and strategic fundraising, collaborating with internal and external leaders. Prior to VentureWell, she directed a number of regional and national nonprofits and initiatives, focused on ending violence and promoting equity. Kristen is the original project director of the Ms. Foundation’s Take Our Daughters to Work Day and holds a BA from Trinity College and an MBA from Simmons School of Management. kgolden@venturewell.org
Elizabeth manages a broad-base of support for the Executive and Senior Leadership teams. In addition, she provides support to the Board of Directors and assists with board engagement. Previously, Elizabeth served for nine years as a Membership and Corporate Support Manager at Humentum, a non-profit dedicated to supporting operational excellence for organizations focused on positive societal impact. She has extensive experience in administrative support roles, corporate sponsor recruitment, and conference management. eheald@venturewell.org
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 MBA with a concentration in public and non-profit management from Boston University. jholme@venturewell.org
Cara is responsible for marketing and promoting VentureWell programs and initiatives, including project coordination, producing marketing collateral and promotional calendars, and developing social media content. She has worked for a variety of consumer corporations, including Wilton Brands and Yankee Candle and her experience includes product development, project management, marketing and communications, and social media strategy. Cara holds a BS in Marketing and Management from Iowa State University. clampe@venturewell.org
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 BA in Sociology from Loyola University New Orleans, an MA in Higher Education Administration from the Ohio State University, and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology. tloomis@venturewell.org
Elisa manages a variety of strategic development efforts at VentureWell, helping to identify new opportunities, write proposals and concept notes, collaborate internally and externally, and improve processes. Elisa’s experience spans program management, development, and communications for a wide array of academic, professional, and public audiences. Prior to joining VentureWell, Elisa implemented diverse projects focused on increasing health equity at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality. She holds a BA from Amherst College. emai@venturewell.org
Mark is the Senior Program Officer of Global Health Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programs at VentureWell. Prior to VentureWell, Mark served as the Chief Development Officer for Seed Global Health, was the Vice President of Business Development for Planned Parenthood, and worked at Health Leads in a variety of leadership roles. He is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer with a background in molecular biology research and diagnostic laboratory testing in infectious diseases. He received a BA in Zoology and Neuroscience from Miami University (OH) and a MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. mmarino@venturewell.org
Colleen provides accounting support in regards to purchasing, accounts payable, vendor relations, and account reconciliations. She began her career working in hospitality guest services, focusing on hotel transaction analysis. She most recently comes from a staff accounting team at a publicly owned company working with capital projects and assets. Colleen earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University, located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. cmatte@venturewell.org
Victoria leads VentureWell’s collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Frontier Set, a network of 31 post-secondary institutions, all working to close the student opportunity gap. Previous to this role, Victoria led the NSF funded Pathways to Innovation program where she designed online and in-person programming that fostered the integration and institutionalization of innovation and entrepreneurship, and leveraged the power of faculty networks. Prior to VentureWell, Victoria worked for over a decade in higher education. She has designed, developed, and managed degree programs, and has experience teaching online, and recruiting and training online faculty. Victoria holds a BS from the University of Hull and an MS from Marlboro College. vmatthew@venturewell.org
KD Maynard works with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Frontier Set, seeking best practices to promote the retention and success of college students. Leveling the playing field has been a theme in her career, which spans a number of roles in a variety of different institutions. Previously, KD also consulted on Venturewell’s Pathways to Innovation NSF grant, working to reframe the delivery of engineering education to undergraduates. KD earned an AB in Linguistics from Brown University and a MALS focusing on Women’s Studies from Dartmouth. kmaynard@venturewell.org
Stacey is responsible for many aspects of our business, supporting staff in Finance, Program, and Human Resources teams, managing vendors, and providing top-notch customer service. Her incredible organization skills and friendly voice & face keep our team running smoothly and effectively. She takes great pleasure in making sure our staff and visitors are taken care of. Stacey has a passion for community development and a strong devotion to the nonprofit sector and appreciates how VentureWell helps improve the quality of life for many people around the world. smushenski@venturewell.org
Heath leads VentureWell’s Strategic Development efforts and oversees the identification and development of new opportunities and initiatives to drive VentureWell’s strategic growth. Prior to joining VentureWell, Heath spent nearly 20 years working in the global startup, innovation, and entrepreneurship field. Most recently, he was Executive Director for the Southwest I-Corps Node at the University of Texas at Austin. Heath holds a BBA from St. Edwards University, an MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin as well as a PMP designation. hnaquin@venturewell.org
Kim leads event management for VentureWell’s programs. In her role, she supervises a team of four events staff and coordinates with program leaders to ensure all events deliver the high-quality experience that participants have come to associate with VentureWell. Kim brings to her role more than 15 years of experience directing educational training. Her past work focused on creating scalable training programs, applying evaluation data to curriculum development, and developing and maintaining training materials. She received BS and MS degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. knoble@venturewell.org
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 BA in International Studies from American University. mnorton@venturewell.org
Megan assists with budgeting and financial reporting at VentureWell, and is responsible for accounts receivable, membership payments, and account reconciliations. Megan received a BS in business administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Hartford. She is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Hartford. mogrady@venturewell.org
Lisa supports the management and implementation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Frontier Set network by managing site support funding and coordinating in-person convenings. She brings to this role a strong background in event and hospitality management. Lisa holds a BFA from Catawba College and an MA from University of Massachusetts – Amherst. lponce@venturewell.org
Gabe is responsible for the evaluation of an array of VentureWell initiatives. Gabe’s work focuses on devising and implementing evaluation plans of programs such as E-Teams and the annual Open conference in order to assess their impact and effectiveness, as well as the satisfaction of participants. Gabe is currently pursuing his doctorate in Education Policy, Research, and Administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and holds an MEd from the University of Vermont, and a BS from Brandeis University. greif@venturewell.org
Laura leads the Programs staff and oversees the planning, development, and execution of VentureWell programs and initiatives. In collaboration with Strategic Development efforts, Laura works to operationalize new initiatives and leads the strategic growth of the organization. Prior to joining VentureWell, Laura ran the MIT International Development Initiative where she worked with students, faculty, and alumni to develop effective models of engagement in emerging markets. Laura has also worked with USAID in Kenya, and was a Fulbright Scholar and Peace Corps Volunteer. lsampath@venturewell.org
David leads Research and Evaluation (R&E) activities at VentureWell. He works at the intersection of data, analytics, evaluation, and technology to show the impact of VentureWell and its partners. Prior to VentureWell, David oversaw business intelligence and nonprofit evaluation activities at Timshel, a social impact technology and strategy firm. He began his career in the Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory at Virginia Commonwealth University after receiving his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his BA from Hamilton College. dscott@venturewell.org
Tim develops, implements, and manages software within a cohesive platform architecture to deliver scalable data-driven solutions on demand by VentureWell initiatives and partners. He brings over a decade of expertise with business process and IT management, data analysis, database design, and software development. Previously he was a founding member of a global startup that provides campaign and technology resources for environmentalists working in high-risk locations. Tim holds a BGS in Linguistics and Philosophy from the University of Michigan. tshores@venturewell.org
Marie works on VentureWell’s global programs, most frequently with the State Department’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) program. She comes to VentureWell by way of the STEM Ed Institute at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was the Program Manager for 15 years. At STEM Ed, she managed several NSF and NASA grants that guided STEM outreach at the university and worked with faculty throughout the Five College area on STEM programming. Marie has over 30 years of experience working with faculty and students to increase societal impacts of their STEM research. msilver@venturewell.org
Michael manages content marketing efforts for VentureWell’s partner websites. He crafts engaging web and social media content to showcase an organization’s programs and resources that support entrepreneurial ventures. During Michael’s 20 years of publishing and marketing experience, he cultivated and managed the online presence for many organizations and personalities including bestselling author Daniel Goleman. Michael holds a BA in Communications from Central Connecticut State University and a Certificate in Technical Writing/Web Content from California State University of Sacramento. msjostedt@venturewell.org
Mandy implements GIST (Global Innovation through Science and Technology) Startup Boot Camps for young innovators around the world, while also overseeing GIST’s online presence at GIST Network. 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 BA in English from UCLA and an MS in Information Studies from the University of Texas-Austin. msutton@venturewell.org
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. ctamer@venturewell.org
Cindy oversees data management efforts at VentureWell. She brings over ten 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. cteixeira@venturewell.org
Leslie provides HR outsourcing through her company (HR Consulting) for her clients in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. At VentureWell, she guides the talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, and employee relations initiatives, and provides individual guidance to staff and management on a variety of issues related to Human Capital. Prior to consulting, Leslie held senior HR management roles at (mostly tech) companies, from start-ups to large corporations in the greater Boston area. Leslie holds a BA degree from Colgate University. ltillotson@venturewell.org
Kate supports VentureWell’s Strategic Development activities, including proposal development and award reporting, as well as managing consultant contractsand facilitating communication with the Board of Directors. Prior to her current position, Kate worked with VentureWell’s Finance and Administration teams where she honed her organizational and project management skills. She holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. ktobin@venturewell.org
Eli oversees the development of VentureWell’s new and ongoing early-stage innovator programs, and leads investor network development. Previous to VentureWell, his efforts in Texas led to the founding of a new angel network, and over $20M in funding for startups, entrepreneurship programs, and proof of concept funds. He obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University and a JD degree with an Intellectual Property Certificate from Whittier Law School. evelasquez@venturewell.org
Rose facilitates the administration, coordination, and logistics of I-Corps™ and related VentureWell programs. She brings to this role a research background in innovation and entrepreneurship systems, as well as experience leading research projects for non-profit organizations and public sector entities. Rose holds an MA in Economic and Social History and an MPP, both from the University of Edinburgh. rvieland@venturewell.org
Samer assists in planning and implementing entrepreneurship education programs through the Global Innovations through Science and Technology (GIST) program. He supports the Program Officers in coordinating workshops and Boot Camps in emerging markets with our local partners, and helps ensure the programs are implemented smoothly in-country. Previously, he spearheaded the North America outreach strategy for a global competition at Ashoka. Samer has a Masters of Global Policy Studies, with an emphasis on international entrepreneurship, from the University of Texas at Austin. syousif@venturewell.org
