INNOVATORS - Key Persons


Amy Whitney

Job Titles:
  • Director
Tyler is a multi-talented pro who loves big ideas and solving grand challenges. He lied for years about his height on his driver's license, is fluent in English, and loves his gluten.

Anthony Maher

Job Titles:
  • Entrepreneur Consultant

Bradley Butz

Job Titles:
  • Economic Competitiveness Officer
Brad is an expert in few things, but some say he is fairly adept in global Air/Space/Joint Force national security challenges. He has traveled to 34 countries, flown a jet fighter, jumped out of an airplane, most importantly, married the love of his life, has 3 sons, and 2 granddaughters.

Hannah Olson

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Outreach Coordinator

Prameela Garre

Job Titles:
  • Administrative & Financial Specialist

Renee Shelton

Job Titles:
  • Commercialization Specialist

Sona Lesmeister

Job Titles:
  • Entrepreneur Consultant

Tamara Bertram

Job Titles:
  • Expert in Creative Problem
  • Innovation Training Specialist
Hannah is the grand maestro for all things project coordination and Gantt charts. She is known to be a crazy cat lady especially for her two kitties, Evie and Autumn.

Tyler Sletten

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director
  • Entrepreneur Consultant

Zahra Afghah

Job Titles:
  • Grant Writer
Sona is you go-to if you are interested in turning your idea into a business. When she is not busy connecting with students or faculty, she can be spotted cooking, salsa dancing, playing pickleball, chasing adventures, and always connecting with new people.