2020-2021 Virtual innovation Summit Judges

LT AARON JONES

A native of O’Fallon, Illinois, LT Jones graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2013, receiving a commission in the United States Navy and earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. He then reported to NAS Pensacola, FL, for flight training in September 2013 earning his Wings of Gold in May 2015 after completing flight school training at VT-10 and VT-4. In October 2015, he reported to the VAW-120 “Greyhawks” for initial fleet training as an E-2C NFO in Norfolk, VA where he met and married his wife, Sarah. In January 2016, LT Jones reported to the “Wallbangers” of VAW-117 in Point Mugu, CA, where he served as Ground Safety Officer, First Lieutenant, Personnel Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. During his tour he deployed onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) for seven months in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, as well as 7th and 6th Fleet operations circumnavigating the world. Following his tour with VAW-117, in November 2019 he joined the staff of the Naval Recruiting Orientation Unit as Recruiting Schoolhouse Department head in Pensacola, FL. Shortly after arriving he responded to the call for gamers to tryout, and was hand-picked to serve as the only officer on the Navy’s new venture into recruiting, the Navy’s Esports Team, Goats and Glory. LT Jones has accumulated over 750 flight hours and 100 carrier arrested landings, including multiple combat flights. His personal awards include Two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various service awards and ribbons.

DANIEL MARCUS

Daniel Marcus is the Senior Mission Assurance Manager for L3Harris, SSG, building high precision optical instruments and payloads for satellites. He has spent his career working in various space and defense applications, including satellites, radar systems, communication systems, and multiple human spaceflight vehicles. Daniel has expertise in mission assurance, systems engineering, and decision analysis. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Management and Technology Program with dual undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and economics, and a master’s degree in systems engineering. He is passionate about helping develop the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators.

DAVE BOUVE

Dave Bouve is a manager with Deloitte Consulting who specializes in delivering Talent Acquisition solutions to public sector clients.  Prior to joining Deloitte, he spent 29 years in the Navy as a helicopter pilot, logging over 2,500 hours in the SH-60B and MH-60R Seahawk.  His non-flying tours included assignments as an officer recruiter and as the Chief Marketing Officer for Navy Recruiting Command.  Working with the Navy’s advertising agency, he helped create and launch the Navy’s Forged by the Sea campaign in 2016.  He is a proud husband to a front line health care worker, and proud dad to two daughters preparing to graduate from college.

HAHNA ALEXANDER

Hahna Alexander is a Payload Manager at Astrobotic for Griffin Mission One. As Payload Manager, she helps manage mission operations and integration of NASA's VIPER rover and Astrobotic's Griffin Lander, landing on the surface of the moon in 2023. 

 Hahna has a background in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon, and worked as an intern at SpaceX and NASA. Prior to joining Astrobotic, Hahna worked as the CEO of SolePower, a start up creating wearable industrial IoT products. Hahna was named a 2017 Toyota Mother of Invention, and Forbes 30 under 30 in Energy. 

KOSTA GRAMMATIS

Kosta comes from a background of invention and technology in service of the greater good. He was an engineer for SpaceX where he led the design of a satellite now in orbit, a visiting scientist at the MIT Media labs where he worked on vision systems for the developing world, and co-founder of the bionic eye 'Eyeborg Project' which was named one of TIME Magazine's best Inventions. 

For almost a decade he worked to expand Internet access globally through his non-profit 'A Human Right' which, in collaboration with the United Nations and an array of expert advisors has informed and engaged millions on the pressing issue of the digital divide. 

Kosta was a finalist for the TED Prize, a GOOD 100 Honoree, and 1st place XPrize Visioneering awardee. Projects he has worked on have been awarded Vodaphone’s Wireless Innovation Award, RISD Better World by Design Challenge, the MIT Global Challenge, and a Google Innovation Grant. 

Today Kosta runs a research and development company called Sidecar Lab and is a rocket scientist for the STOKE Space Technologies. 

NONA CHEEKS

Nona Cheeks, MBA is founder/CEO of Innovatyr, LLC an applied science and technology consulting firm and former Chief of Strategic Partnerships at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center -Technology Transfer, Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Research, and Global Partnerships. She has been an invited speaker to many domestic and international conferences on the topic of technology commercialization. Nona is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Loyola University. She also studied at University of Chicago, School of Business and Simmons College. Nona enjoys working with youth and young adults regarding exploring tech-based commercialization and entrepreneurship opportunities.

ANTONIE TANNOUS

Antoine Tannous is a Lebanese managing director, famous TV analyst and a senior lecturer. He has presented and produced many high tech shows on Lebanese, Middle Eastern and International TV and radio stations.  He also delivers several courses like STEM, quality, high tech, strategic, international, and project management at universities and high schools. Throughout his life, Tannous has received many prestigious awards. He was selected three times as a Grand Award Judge at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). He was also a panel Judge for SMART and Cyber Projects, selected by Conard Challenge - Challenge Project 2018 - 2019. Currently, Tannous is working with many Lebanese, Middle Eastern and American officials to present Lebanon in many worldwide fairs and organizations to support the Lebanese brains. 

CARL WILLIS-FORD

Dr. Willis-Ford is currently full-time faculty in the CIS/Cybersecurity Program at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA. He is also a part-time Solutions Architect for General Dynamics Information Technology. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Reactor Operator on fast attack submarines from 1980-1988. He has 30+ years in project management, security training, technical architecture, and data security. He is a Senior Member of the Information Systems Security Association. He received his Doctorate of Information Assurance in 2018.

Volunteer Activities: Regular guest lecturer, NASA’s agency-wide Security Awareness Program. Planning committee, Community College Cyber Summit (3CS). Advisory committee, Membership committee for Technology Alliance Group NW.

COMMANDER CHRISTOPHER T. COY

Commander Christopher Coy is a native of Columbus, Kansas, and a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He joined the Navy Reserve in 2001 via the Direct Commission Officer program and was commissioned as an Ensign in Intelligence. CDR Coy is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Washington. CDR Coy’s assignments include Commander Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) 0389 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Washington, NCIS Northwest Field Office (NWFO) in Silverdale, Washington, Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) 0922 at Camp Murray, Washington Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) 0194 at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, and Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) NIMITZ PSU 3 at Camp Murray, Washington. CDR Coy has also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Joint Task Force Guantanamo at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Coy’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2x), Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as numerous campaign, service, and marksmanship medals. In his civilian career, Coy has worked at Microsoft Corporation for 22 years where he is currently a Senior Malware Analyst in Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) where he manages the DCU’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Program.

DR. JORGE VALDES

Dr. Jorge L. Valdes is an Education Programs Advisor at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO develops and implements education and outreach programs dedicated to promoting awareness of Intellectual property (IP), including the creation of IP as well as the enforcement of IP rights at all‐levels. The USPTO’s Office of Education and Outreach (OEO) aims to increase IP awareness and knowledge through education, outreach and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) play a significant role in USPTO’s K‐20 education and outreach programming because STEM is vital to invention, innovation, and the development of a future USPTO workforce. The Office is responsible for the design, development and delivery of professional development programs for K-12 teachers nationwide on the significance of STEM education to innovation and IP. Dr. Valdes is a STEM educator with experience in project-based learning pedagogy in chemistry, physics, astronomy and oceanography. Prior to his career in teaching, Dr. Valdes held senior leadership roles at AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Alcatel-Lucent. While at Bell Labs, he was responsible for managing global R&D organizations spanning leading edge physical sciences and engineering research, development and commercialization. He received the E.O. Lawrence Laureate gold medal award from the U.S. Department of Energy on behalf of the President of the United States for his pioneering work in reagent generation, a technology having profoundly positive implications for the energy efficient production of high purity chemicals, environmental health, and cost reduction in manufacturing. Dr. Valdes has a Ph.D. degree in Electrochemical Engineering from Columbia University and an executive MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business. He holds 33 U.S. and international patents, has published more than 100 science and technology research papers in peer-reviewed journals and magazines, and has won numerous corporate and industry awards for his contributions in science, technology, education, and diversity.  Dr. Valdes is the co-founder of the Young Science Achievers Program (YSAP®), a national program dedicated to inspiring and empowering more girls and students under-represented in science and math to pursue careers in STEM fields.

KELLY CAMBRY

Kelley O. Cambry is a third-generation entrepreneur who grew up in a production studio. Kelley is a graduate of Howard University with a B.B.A. in Marketing and Finance as well as an M.S. in Computer Science. Kelley started her career in financial services and digital marketing at Fortune 500 companies as Assistant Vice President at JPMorgan and American Express, where her strategies led to over $2.1 billion in value. Kelley has also developed and taught livestream classes for General Assembly’s large enterprise accounts such as Staples, Viacom, and L'Oréal. Kelley is the co-founder of Paige & Paxton Labs, an award-winning elementary STEM curriculum, sold to over 17 school systems around the country. Paige & Paxton’s methodology has been studied by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Currently, Kelley is the CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Studios, a STEM education streaming platform, which is venture-backed by 500 Startups and TechStars. Kelley lives with her amazing husband in San Francisco and their lovely cat, Maya.

ALECK MATAMBO

Aleck is a VP in Global Operations and leads our Global Packaging, Global Real Estate and Facilities, and Contracting Operations, Customer-Facing Services, Hardware and Telecom and HR-Related Services. 

He joined Dell one year ago and has a diverse global background spanning consulting and industry. His consulting experience includes 8 years at McKinsey & Company (Chicago and Johannesburg), and before that he was in Ernst & Young’s London office. His industry experience includes Daimler Benz (Germany and Holland) and Electrolux (Sweden). His core functional expertise lies in supply chain operations and procurement. 

His personal interest lies in minority community programs and he has been recognized for these efforts through awards by HRH Prince Charles and as a Reach National Role model (UK). He also sits on community boards including the Metropolitan Family Services (Chicago) and Ikakeng (Johannesburg).  

ERIKA CHAN

Erika is responsible for the CSR strategy of the Dell Technologies Services organization. This includes identifying opportunities to integrate sustainability practices into business units, mitigating risks, and measuring the positive impacts of sustainability initiatives. She also is involved with advancing Dell’s 2030 sustainability goals.  

Prior to this role, Erika was in an e-commerce position at Dell, led a regional marketing team at The Nature Conservancy, and practiced international development consulting at Deloitte Emerging Markets Group. She is an alum of The University of Texas and resides in Austin with her husband and two kids. 

KIM BOUTWELL

Kim Boutwell is the North America Regional Giving Manager for Dell Technologies. She manages the non-profit relationships for Dell to help create opportunities for youth in US and Canada. Kim has a couple of decades experience in education prior to joining Dell 4 years ago. This education focused background helps to drive the Progress Made Real initiatives, such as Dell Student TechCrew, which Kim created. She holds a Master of Science, as well as her teaching and mid management education certifications, and PMP.

PAGE MOTES

Page Motes leads Corporate Sustainability, overseeing Dell Technologies’ strategic vision and goals, as well as stakeholder engagement.  This role, and the work of her team, includes deep collaboration with internal business groups to advance sustainability programs with long-term value.  Other work includes engaging in third-party partnerships to accelerate initiatives and position the company has a thought leader, as well as foster innovation and engagement within Dell Technologies’ global enterprise.  Programs span across the themes of advancing the circular economy, climate change, and deep engagement in the supply chain.  ​

Prior to this role, Page spent 10 years as Senior Managing Director, Global Ethics & Compliance, overseeing and managing Dell Technologies’ ethics strategy and proactive culture of integrity initiatives. Responsibilities included management of the Code of Conduct, compliance and ethics-related awareness programs and key operational processes for Dell and its global team members.  Both roles have been complimented by an additional 15 years in sales and consulting, much within the ethics, compliance, risk and governance space, and Page has lectured at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law and McCombs Business School, as well as the University of Colorado at Boulder Law School and Bentley College. ​

Page lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two sons.  She is a member, and former Board member, of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) Hill Country Chapter, which engages high school boys to develop a heart for service in their communities. 

STEVE ALAGNA

Senior Principal Packaging Engineer 

Worked at Dell for 7 years now responsible for server and storage platforms 

Has worked for packaging multiple suppliers, Intel, HP, and Caterpillar 

Been in the packaging industry for over 30 years 

Graduate from Michigan State University 

LT AARON KULP

Lieutenant Kulp is a native of Onalaska, Washington. He graduated cum laude from the Saint Martin’s University in May of 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Kulp worked as structural engineer, site development civil engineer and as project manager for private firm and various municipalities from 2003 through 2011. He was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School as an Ensign in the Civil Engineer Corps in Newport, Rhode Island in April 2011. Kulp’s first assignment was as the Assistant Public Works Office of the Washington Navy Yard. In 2013, he reported to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, deploying as the Officer in Charge to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, launching and recovering a team to Liberia in support of the United States response to Ebola in Liberia. Kulp also was assigned to Coastal Riverine Group ONE managing Riverine facilities throughout the Pacific. He most recently served as the Deputy Community Manager managing the Civil Engineer Corps’ accession program and coordinating diversity planning for the CEC. Kulp began serving as the Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division Director for Naval Station Everett Public Works Department in August 2019. He oversees the engineering, contracting, and construction personnel in executing public works products and services for six Navy sites and fourteen Navy Operational Support Centers throughout the western United States. Kulp is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California, Seabee Combat Warfare qualified and been awarded various service awards

AMIT SHARMA

Amit Sharma is working as Senior Controls Engineer in Core Electro-hydraulic Controls Systems in Innovation and Technology Development Division at Caterpillar Inc. He has 12 US patents and 17 International patents for his inventions. He has been leading machine systems projects as system lead engineer and has been developing complex automatic controls algorithms for last 11 yrs at Cat. He is masters in Biosystems Engineering with specialization Sensors and Controls systems in Ag machinery from Oklahoma State Univ. Before joining Caterpillar Inc. he worked as Techno-commercial Manager in African continent and lead many projects as Assistant Manager in the area of Strategic Product Development in one of the leading agricultural tractors industries in India.

ANDY LAM

Andy Lam is an investor, physician, entrepreneur, and engineer. He has co-founded three successful venture-funded software startups. Previously, he also worked at a large East Coast hedge fund and was on the founding team of PL Capital, a fund in San Francisco. Currently, Andy is a Founding Partner of Uprising, focused on backing world-positive founders and initiatives. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Management Science and Engineering, where he was a President's Scholar and recipient of Engineering Honors, and he received his MD from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Hannah Schlachter

Hannah Schlacter is a social entrepreneur and community-builder. She currently serves as chief of staff at Uprising, an impact-focused venture capital fund that invests in mission-driven startups across all stages and sectors. Some past investments include companies like Lyft, Change.org, Devoted Health, and the Long-Term Stock Exchange. At Uprising, Hannah leads strategy and operations, where she advises entrepreneurs, supports investors, and helps run the venture firm as a whole. Prior, Hannah launched her career in management consulting at Accenture, where she consulted for big tech companies in the Bay Area. Throughout her career, Hannah has co-founded multiple local and global organizations and initiatives, served on nonprofit boards of directors, and organized hundreds of events for over a thousand young professionals in San Francisco. Most recently, she ran a decentralized, solo marathon powered by love in the summer of 2020. You can check out the digital collective here: www.biggerthan.run.

Paulo Nunes

Paulo Nunes is the President of Rocket Club, the GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CODING, AND ROBOTICS ACADEMY FOR KIDS AGED 7-14. During their time at Rocket Club they start their own businesses, learn complex entrepreneurship topics and build & code robotics over the course of a 2 year gamified curriculum. Having excelled in early academics such as Gifted and Talented, President of the Nation Honor Society, Peer leadership, robotics, electronics, debate and so much more. Outside of traditional academia, Paulo was involved in a large variety of extracurricular programs and clubs. From being a 4 sport varsity athlete through high school to earning his Eagle Scout before the age of 17, Paulo has been very cognizant of the effect these experiences have had on his life and has made it his mission to guide our next generation in maximizing their own potential. When Paulo is not working he loves playing soccer, bushcraft camping, woodworking & carpentry, amatuer black-smithing, playing guitar or painting. And is on a life long mission to find the midpoint where science/technology and art meet!

LCDR DANIELLE BARNES

LCDR Danielle Barnes is an active-duty Navy physician who is board certified in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition as well as general pediatrics. She completed her general Pediatrics residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, and Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship at Stanford University Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital before joining the faculty at Naval Medical Center San Diego in 2016. Dr. Barnes’ research passions include novel dietary treatments for Eosinophilic Esophagitis, as well as Short Bowel Syndrome, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation. Her work as an educator to medical students, interns, residents, and staff has been recognized with the Fran C. Rash 2017 teacher of the year award; she was selected from all pediatric physicians hospital-wide. Priding herself on the mentorship and sponsorship of the next generation of medical leaders and military officers, she serves as the Medical Student Site Director for the command to provide mentorship and career support to over 150 medical students annually, and as the Associate Program Director of the Pediatrics Residency Program. She serves as the current chair of the American Medical Women’s Association’s Military and Veterans branch, and as an advocate for the needs of the Navy’s youngest patients on the Department of Defense Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. LCDR Barnes prizes her unique experiences in Navy Medicine including being able to serve as the sole pediatrician aboard the USNS Brunswick during the Global Health Engagement deployment – Pacific Partnership 2019 - throughout the Federated State of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Vietnam. She is greatly looking forward to participating as a judge in the Conrad Challenge, and having the opportunity to review the innovative ideas of the next generation!

JOE PRIMAVERA

Joe Primavera is the Chief Operating Officer of Saltshaker Holdings, a private holdings company that has invested in and started companies in real estate, technology, film, graphic design, and a variety of other industries. He also works closely with The InterTech Group and the Zucker family on Antigravity Ventures, an impact investing vehicle that focuses on investing in value-aligned funds and technology companies with the intention of creating a better world and providing equal opportunity and equal access for people of all backgrounds. Previously, Joe was a software implementation consultant for a Microsoft partner, where he worked primarily with manufacturers on strategizing and implementing processes to make their businesses more efficient. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in Denver, Colorado. He received a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.S. in business administration from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

DR. LESLIE FLYNN

Dr. Leslie Flynn is a professor of STEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Iowa. She is a founder and director of STEM Innovator®, a national program to facilitate K-12 STEM community ecosystems fueled by public-private partnerships. Educators transform classrooms into Hubs of Innovation where student teams work on solving authentic problems alongside business and industry collaborative partners. The program provides an innovation platform to take student teams from start-up idea to commercialization opportunities. Leslie’s research focuses on understanding the skills, mindsets and knowledge of inventors and how and why these change as students create solutions to complex problems over time. Her team created the STEM Innovator Portfolio, a digital technology assessment tool to collect feedback from community partners and peers on a team’s invention progress. Students use the portfolio to demonstrate 21st century skills critical for college and career readiness. Leslie brings 30 years of STEM, entrepreneurship, and education experience to national partnerships to increase the opportunity for all young adults to have access to the innovation ecosystem.

MARINA WATANABE

Marina Watanabe is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Harvard University where she is one of eight Education Innovation Fellows who advise over 100 Harvard and MIT student start up teams in their education innovation ventures. Prior to arriving in Boston, she spent four years at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies conducting research on topics ranging from plant stress response hormones to stem cell identity. Currently, she studies novel combination therapies for a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. In addition to being a scientist, Marina is an avid performer and science communicator who has performed at live storytelling events such as Story Collider and written articles for Science in the News, Harvard’s publication bridging the gap between scientists and non-scientists. As an educator and a scientist, Marina works with Harvard Medical School and Dana-Faber Cancer Institute to create and refine science and medicine exposure programs for underserved high school and undergraduate students.

Simon Glinsky

Simon Glinsky leads transformation consulting at The Glinsky Group for clients in diverse industries, including financial services, healthcare, high technology, professional services, start-up and other companies and serves as leadership counselor to C-level executives. Simon is a Venture Partner at Ai8, an international venture capital firm specialized in socially beneficial fintech and underserved populations. As an Internet entrepreneur, he co-founded Match.com, distance-learning services, a healthcare institute, Embark/Princeton Review and Clean Power Finance. Simon was previously with McKinsey & Co., IBM and Wharton. He hails from a Cuban-American family and has been an active educator, training the world’s leading MBAs in the Interpersonal Dynamics Program at Stanford Business School. His avocations include playing the violin and serving as a classical radio program guest host. Simon is an Advisor to the Conrad Foundation, a Senior Advisor to Little Opera/San Francisco, Trustee and Founder of an endowment fund at the University of Pennsylvania, and serves on the Leadership Council of the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution/Washington, D.C.. Simon graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School as a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, attended The University of Edinburgh and earned an MBA from Stanford University.

ASHTON GOBIN

Ashton Gobin is a consultant with Deloitte Consulting where he transforms the human capital experience at public sector clients by delivering Cloud Human Capital Management solutions. Prior to joining Deloitte, Ashton started his professional career at SAP, the world’s third largest multinational enterprise software developer. At SAP, he supported enterprise clients around the globe to run better on SAP’s Business Intelligence and cloud HCM line of products. Ashton is a serial entrepreneur who started his first business at 18 and went on to develop numerous business concepts relating to ecommerce, web technology, and real estate.  He currently resides in Orlando, FL, where he enjoys visiting theme parks, relaxing on the beach, and supporting the local community through volunteer work.

CASSIA PATEL

Cassia Patel is the Program Director of Oceanic Global, a global NGO that engages new audiences in ocean conservation. Her work with Oceanic Global includes overseeing their grassroots initiatives, policy reform efforts, educational programming, and managing The Oceanic Standard (TOS), a free set of industry-specific resources for adopting sustainable practices that meet both business and environmental needs with a focus on eliminating single-use plastics and improving waste management. Cassia has formal training as an environmental engineer, underwater research biologist, and in sustainable design.

JASON HECKATHORN

Jason Heckathorn is a high energy leader with passions for conservation, humanitarian work, and technology. Jason founded the Mobile Fish Pens line of business at Lockheed Martin by reusing defense technologies for sustainable fish farming. Jason lead the spin-out of Mobile Fish Pens to create the Forever Oceans Corporation. Forever Oceans is on a mission to nourish the world with delicious seafood through eco-friendly innovation.

Jason has served in a number of different business development and business execution leadership roles during his career. These ventures have spanned all phases of corporate lifecycles and six continents. Jason won government contracts over $400M and raised over $50M of venture capital. He has experience building motivated cross-cultural teams, operating in complex business climates, obtaining large scale government permits, and turning around failing programs.

Jason thrives in markets that require creative business strategies and is bold in undertaking impactful ventures. Prior to his time at Lockheed Martin, Jason launched innoport.com. He spends his personal time leading conservation trips and volunteering at his church. Jason holds three Ivy League degrees, has been an adviser to the KAUST Entrepreneurship Program as well as Oceans X Labs, and has been a speaker at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture. He serves on the Blu-Bridge Sea Cucumbers Board of Directors.

CPT MARLENE SANCHEZ

Captain Marlene Sanchez was born and raised in New Mexico. She graduated from Occidental College in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Kinesiology. In 1999, she graduated from the University of Southern California Medical School and was commissioned into the US Navy as a Medical Corps Officer in 1996 through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).

After successfully completing a Family Medicine residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (NHCP) in 2002, she volunteered for Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 9 out of San Diego and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). After this tour, she was recruited as residency faculty for NHCP’s robust Family Medicine residency program, leading, mentoring and advising 36 residents each year.

In 2006, Captain Sanchez was selected for the position of Assistant Program Manager for Women’s Health at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and was the subject matter expert on women’s health for the Navy and DoD, serving on the Perinatal Advisory Board and DoD sexual assault working group. Notable accomplishments included authoring the Navy’s HPV policy and developing innovative programs such as embedded mental health in primary care clinics and acupuncture.

In 2009, she was competitively selected as the Head of Student Programs for HPSP at the Navy Medicine Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Command, providing mentorship and professional guidance to over 2500 scholarship students attending over 220 civilian institutions and was instrumental in the development of these students into military medical professionals and officers. Additionally, she served as the president of the NAVMED Professional Review Board for physicians (2009-2012), Medical Student Specialty Leader, and co-lead for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 intern selection boards.

NIRMALJEET MALHOTRA

With 20+ years of experience, Nirmal has passion for solving complex business problems and create innovative solutions through technology. Nirmal works as a Innovation Advisor for Amazon Web services. In his current role, he helps world's largest companies reveal innovation opportunities and create new products and services that solve complex business problems. He coaches and mentors 'C' suite in the area of digital innovation, product leadership / management and lean product development. His passion for innovation leads him to participate as a judge at events like the Conrad Challenge and get inspired by how future leaders find opportunities to create a better tomorrow.

SANKAR RAJU NARAYANASAMY

Sankar Raju Narayanasamy is a Joint Doctoral Researcher between Berkeley Lab, SLAC/Stanford University and the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is also an NSF BioXFEL Scholar of the National Science Foundation BioXFEL Science and Technology Center. His current research is an interdisciplinary merge of microfluidics, fluid dynamics, micro-/nano-fabrication, Infrared spectroscopy, Machine Learning and structural biology imaging to meet the needs of photon science community at Synchrotrons, X-ray Free Electron Lasers and the Cryo-Electron Microscopy facilities. Prior to his current position, he had worked at various renowned research institutes such as Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY/German National Synchrotron), Fraunhofer Society and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, France). He received his masters and undergraduate trainings in Mechanical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden and Indian Institute of Technology, Madras respectively. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the Royal Microscopical Society, and an elected member in the Sigma Xi Research Honor Society. He was the recipient of the 2020AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science Award by the American Association for the Advancement of Science(AAAS). He has given several invited keynote talks and tutorials in the versatile fields ranging from Aerodynamics to Robotics. He also has held a number of professional consulting and research positions and has filed a patent for an Asymmetrical Ducted Flying craft. He has mentored a doctoral researcher and a senior Research fellow in the field of aeroelasticity of bridge decks and has mentored several masters and undergraduate students in various fields ranging from automotive to physical chemistry.

AICHA SHARIF

Aicha is a multidisciplinary business woman who has spent the last 15 years building brands. Aicha is passionate about creating seamless customer experiences through creating cross-functional synergies and optimizing operation for growth. She holds an MBA in project management and an MA in International Business from the London Business School. Aicha is six sigma and Hashin Kanri certified. She enjoys building relationships and teams through inclusive and supportive cultural practices. Aicha is the Dean of Admissions at Rocket Club, the STEM and Entrepreneurship Tech Academy for children aged 7 to 14 years of age. When she’s not working, Aicha enjoys spending time with her two daughters, cooking, reading, and playing tennis.

CLARE SULLIVAN

Clare Sullivan is currently in a doctoral program in geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work focuses on agricultural change and drivers of deforestation in Colombia. She is also a co-founder of Foodshed.io, a platform for connecting sustainable producers to local wholesale markets. Previously, she served at the Deputy Research Director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute’s Agriculture and Food Security Center. There she led socioeconomic and biophysical research to study the impacts of agricultural systems on environment and livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa. Clare has a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a Bachelors degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She has worked on projects with the National Park Service in the US, the CGIAR system in the Peruvian Andes and Amazon Basin, UNEP in Haiti, and World Vision in Bangladesh.

LCDR DANIEL DESANTIS

LCDR Daniel DeSantis is a native of San Diego, CA. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in from Cornell University, a Master of Public Health degree from San Diego State University, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Operationally, DeSantis served as command flight surgeon and medical department head of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. With HMH-361, he deployed to the Indo-Pacific region in support of Unit Deployment Program 16.2, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. He then served with a detachment of HMH-361 in support of UNITAS 2017, aboard USS Somerset (LPD 25). DeSantis completed his Internal Medicine Internship at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). He subsequently completed his naval flight surgery training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. After his tour with HMH361, DeSantis completed his Internal Medicine Residency at NMCSD. He currently serves as a Cardiovascular Disease Fellow at NMCSD. DeSantis is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a member of the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, and the Society of United States of Naval Flight Surgeons. He has published several scientific articles and has presented at several national and regional scientific meetings. DeSantis is a designated Naval Flight Surgeon and a Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards). DeSantis currently lives in San Diego with his wife, LCDR Kristin DeSantis, a gynecologic surgeon and obstetrician. They have two children.

RACHELLE MIRKIN

Rachelle Mirkin is currently the Administrative Director of Health Education, Engagement and Promotion for Stanford Health Care/Stanford University, developing impact with her team for all communities, including patients and staff. A senior management executive specializing in translational research, Rachelle has worked within healthcare, real estate design and development, philanthropy, education, government and for-profit business entities. Since her years working with Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rachelle has been passionate about the impact of system changes on individual and population health. Twin boys occupy much of Rachelle’s personal time. You will often find her and her family hiking, biking, and gardening together. Rachelle holds a B.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a Master’s Degree of Public Health from the George Washington University School of Medicine.

THANE KREINER, PhD

Thane is a global impact leader who currently serves on the Board of Conservation X Labs, dedicated to ending human-induced extinction and is co-founder of the Black Corporate Board program at the Silicon Valley Executive Center. Thane led the transformation of Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship into the world’s most successful social enterprise accelerator, accompanying more than 1,000 ventures from 100 countries that collectively improved, transformed, or saved the lives of 400 million people living in poverty. He was co-architect and professor of the award-winning Global Social Benefit Fellowship that yielded 12 Fulbright awards and 3 valedictorians in 8 years. Prior to his decade at Santa Clara, he was Founder, President, and CEO of Second Genome, a microbiome analysis company; Founder, President, and CEO of Presage Biosciences, focused on bringing better cancer drugs to market; and start-up President and CEO of iPierian, a regenerative medicine venture acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Early in his career, Thane progressively built and led various functions over 14 years at Affymetrix, Inc., the DNA chip industry pioneer. Thane earned his PhD in Neurosciences and MBA from Stanford University.

JUAN VALENTIN

Juan Valentin is an Education Program Advisor in the Office of Education (OE) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office where he is responsible for the development and implementation of educational projects of national and international scope, with a particular emphasis on directing and coordinating the development of STEM, design-thinking, or invention-focused projects infused with intellectual property (IP) concepts. Cultivating relationships and finding areas for collaboration with external organizations, academic institutions and federal agencies is also is a significant part of Mr. Valentin’s job. Prior to joining the OE team, Mr. Valentin was a USPTO patent examiner for 12 years, specializing in the art of optical measuring and testing devices. Community outreach is an important part of Mr. Valentin’s life, his volunteer work with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers includes youth education and outreach on behalf of engineers and leadership training for members of all levels within the organization. Mr. Valentin holds a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Clarkson University.

REGINA SCHOFIELD

Regina’s professional career has included key roles in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She is currently the Director of Corporate Engagement and Education Outreach for Battelle, where she advances innovative efforts to create tomorrow’s workforce by leading STEM education outreach and directing all regional philanthropy engagements. She was previously nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she served as the nation’s AMBER Alert Coordinator and oversaw a range of federal programs. Regina is also a recent recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and currently serves on the boards of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Children’s Science Center, the National Law Enforcement Museum Leadership Council, the National Center for the Prevention of Community Violence (aka Solve Violence) and is a corporate officer of the Battelle Education board. She received her M.B.A. from Jackson State University and her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi College. In 2014, she was honored to receive the Alumni of the Year award from Mississippi College’s School of Business.

CDR RICHARD GOODRICH

Richard P. Goodrich Jr. grew up in rural western Pennsylvania in Nanty Glo, PA.  He graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology.  He played Middle Linebacker for the nationally ranked Indians and was a four-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete and NCAA Academic All-American.  Dr. Goodrich was a 2008 graduate of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.  He served as Intern Class President while completing a Transitional Internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.  Dr. Goodrich then successfully completed training as an Undersea and Dive Medical Officer at the Naval Undersea Medical Institute where he was awarded the Surgeon General’s Award for exemplary leadership.  During his subsequent tours as an Undersea and Dive Medical Officer with the First Naval Construction Division/Underwater Construction Teams and Submarine Squadron Six, he earned his Masters of Business Administration from Liberty University.  Dr. Goodrich then completed a combined Orthopedic Surgery Residency/Masters of Science in Medical Education from LECOM Health/Millcreek Community Hospital.  While in residency, Dr. Goodrich served as Chief Orthopedic Resident for three years and was awarded the LECOM Health Outstanding Leadership Award. 

STEVEN YBARRA

Steven is a former Chicago Public School teacher turned software engineer who loves all things related to STEM education in addition to having a passion for helping others realize their goals and maximize their potential through patience, hard work and creative thinking. Steven has garnered a wide variety of experience and expertise in multiple areas of both STEM and general education over the years. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology education at Illinois State University, racking up 5 years of teaching experience at both the high school and elementary levels while also pursuing a master’s degree for software engineering at DePaul University with a concentration in real-time systems architecture through the context of game development. He currently works in mobile application development at an airport logistics start up based out of Chicago, IL while also teaching several virtual classes with Rocket Club - the STEM and Entrepreneurship Tech Academy for children aged 7 to 14 years of age. In his free time, Steven enjoys cooking new recipes, tinkering with new technologies in the software development world, staying active through running, swimming and also catching up with both old and new friends.

ZACHARY GOLDEN

Zach is currently a Quality Engineer supporting the DePuy Synthes Product Issue Escalation organization. As such, he focuses on their Joint Reconstruction, Craniomaxillofacial, Trauma, and Power Tools businesses, investigating product non-conformances, safety signals, complaint trends, and other product issues impacting field inventory. These investigations are then utilized for evaluation of medical and regulatory compliance risks to determine if field action is recommended. He is supporting this team as his last rotation in Johnson & Johnson’s Global Operations Leadership Development (GOLD) Program, an accelerated supply chain rotational program for tomorrow’s industry leaders. Most recently, Zach held the position of 3rd Gen. Technology Manufacturing Engineering Team Lead supporting J&J Vision. As such, he led a team of 50 engineering technicians in the continuous manufacturing of ACUVUE® brand contact lenses at a WEF designated “Lighthouse Manufacturing Site.” Prior to Vision, Zach supported Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ Supply Chain Digital Strategy & Innovation organization. In this role he led intrapreneruial teams to deliver transformational digital solutions, for example a best-in-class supply chain visibility and analytics platform which is now being leveraged for the production and anticipated launch of J&J’s COVID-19 Vaccine candidate. Zach has been with J&J for 4 years and has supported the business in varying capacities such as Distribution Network Strategy, Inter-Regional Transportation Visibility & Predictive Analytics, and Project & Portfolio Management. Throughout this time, he has had the opportunity to support and lead the deployment of innovations to enable J&J’s rapid response to crises such as Hurricane Maria and COVID-19. Zach earned his BSc in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Clarkson University. At Clarkson, Zach founded two SaaS ventures and played Division III soccer. When Zach is not working, he’s planning his wedding, is a dog-dad to Theodore, and a youth soccer coach.