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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jason Owens

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.