Meet the NVCA and Venture Forward Teams
Our team brings together a unique blend of experts in legislative and regulatory affairs, marketing and communication strategies, and technical expertise.
Senior Programs Director, Venture Forward
Fun Facts:
- Lived in 3 different countries
- Family had a pet llama growing up
- Serves on a competitive trivia team
Manager of Government Affairs
Fun Facts:
- Born in Anchorage, Alaska
- Ran 8 half-marathons and is training for #9
- Known to be early for being early
Communications Manager
Fun Facts:
- Worked on four political campaigns
- Born and raised in Silicon Valley
- Travel enthusiast with a severe case of wanderlust
President and CEO
Fun Facts:
- Latest project: 1970 Chevrolet C10 pickup truck
- Youth competitive water skier in slalom, tricks, and jump
- High school pole vaulter
Executive Director, Venture Forward
Fun Facts:
- Born Southerner: spent her first 18 years in Mississippi
- Football (i.e., soccer) fanatic: go Chelsea!
- Wanderlust: favorites so far have been Malta (pre-GoT), Rio de Janeiro (where she first met Bobby Franklin!), & walking the last 100km of the Camino de Santiago
Manager of Communications
Fun Facts:
- On a quest to see all 30 MLB ballparks
- Travel enthusiast
- Loves spending time with family & friends
Chief Operating Officer
Fun Facts:
- Have passport, will travel. Visited all 50 states and over 45 countries…and counting
- 100% American, 50% Cuban. Uniquely Kansan. Rock Chalk!
- Happiest in a flower garden
Director of Government Affairs
Fun Facts:
- Philadelphia area native (Go Eagles!)
- Enjoy traveling and the outdoors; always looking for a good hiking trail
- Bucket list: earn a pilot’s license and fly to every continent
Senior Director of Administration
Fun Facts:
- Loves seafood
- Bucket list item is to meet Barack & Michelle Obama
- Family means the world to MiChele
Research Director
Fun Facts:
- Has 11 siblings
- Perfected the art of making DippinDots at home thanks to his local welding supply shop
- Serves as his apartment building’s semi-official bike mechanic
Vice President of Business Development
Fun Facts:
- Marathon runner
- Golfs and surfs (but not very well!)
- Certified yoga instructor
Director of Operations
Fun Facts:
- Always listening to Yacht Rock Radio
- Marine Corps Marathon finisher
- Yes, her birth name is Kisme (pronounced Kiss Me)
Director of Membership Engagement
Fun Facts:
- Tries to read 100 books a year
- Climbed to the top of Machu Picchu
- Invested in any and all pop culture news