Amy Adams: Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University

Laura Appenzeller: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation/Research Park Executive Director, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Catherine Armstrong: Program Director for the NSF Engine, North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine

Matt Ballard: CEO & Executive Director, West Virginia Regional Technology Park

Virendra Chhikara: President, Biomedical Research and Innovation Park - University of Louisiana - Monroe

Virendra Chhikara is the President for Biomedical Research and Innovation Park at University of Louisiana, Monroe. He earned his MBA from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2009. Prior to that, he completed his MS in Industrial/Analytical Chemistry in 2003 from India. While attaining his MBA, he worked as a graduate assistant for the LSBDC at ULM and was hired following his completion. Virendra has expertise in strategic planning, financial planning, market research, business development, international trade, and analytical research and development.

Stephen Coulston: AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Managing Principal, Perkins&Will

Brian Darmody: Chief Strategy Officer, AURP

Brian Darmody leads AURP initiatives including expanding membership, international partnerships and funding in order to build out additional member benefits. Prior to joining AURP, Brian served as Associate Vice President (AVP) of Corporate Engagement at the University of Maryland (UMD). At UMD, Brian was responsible for developing the overall university strategy for corporate relationships, as well as the development of projects and policies to support these initiatives centrally and through the colleges and schools on campus of the University of Maryland. Previously, he was the University’s AVP for Corporate and Foundation Relations in the Division of University Relations, AVP for Research and Economic Development, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Development, Director of State and Federal Relations in the President’s Office and has served in the university’s legal counsel office. He serves on national and state boards, including: Fraunhofer USA, the Maryland Economic Development Association, and the Maryland Tech Council. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore and he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Keisha Demps: Director of Partnerships, Centennial Campus, NC State University

Keisha brings nearly 15 years of experience in nurturing business partnerships and driving workforce development. As the Director of the Office of Partnerships at NC State University, Keisha leads a team focused on creating local and global partnerships that offer real-world opportunities to faculty and students. The office cultivates strong relationships across academia, industry, and government, fueling innovation, workforce growth, and economic impact for North Carolina. She leads a team which has been key in establishing long-term, cross-disciplinary collaborations that advance science, education, and the success of both NC State and its business partners. Keisha's efforts have resulted in the recruitment of 43+ corporate partners and secured over $40 million in funding, improving resources for students and faculty. Before joining the Partnerships team, she served as a Senior Business Services Manager with the Capital Area Workforce Development Board. 

Alison Doyle: Associate Director, Iowa State University Research Park

Alison joined the Iowa State University Research Park in 2008 after spending ten years working in advertising agencies and start-up companies. She leads the ISU Research Park’s marketing, communications, public relations, events, and community-building efforts. She also serves as a liaison for the ISU Research Park companies as they look to build and strengthen relationships with ISU. A proud ISU graduate, she returned to Ames after previously living in Missouri, Vermont, California, Washington, Germany, and England. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, riding her bike, teaching and practicing yoga, and attending sporting events.

Linda Hall: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NCInnovation

Linda Hall serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina. Linda has led the oversight and management of the Foundation’s finances, investments, human resources, IT and operations for over 15 years.
In addition to the day-to-day fiscal management of the Foundation’s assets, Linda is heavily involved in the strategic financial positioning of the investments made in RTP and management of properties owned by the Foundation and its subsidiaries. Linda plays a key role in: the Foundation’s real estate portfolio development and management; the Frontier RTP campus; the Hub RTP mixed-use development strategic planning; and the acquisition, renovation and leasing for nearly 700K SF of commercial office, lab and retail space.
Linda is a licensed CPA with the South Carolina Board of Accountancy, with over 30 years of experience in both public accounting and in private sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation in April 2007, Linda worked as a consultant in both Florida and North Carolina assisting mid-sized partnerships and corporations in financial, tax and strategic business planning.
Linda currently serves as the Finance Committee Chair on NC IDEA Board, TCREW Board and the 2022 TCREW Champion Awards Chair, Raleigh Industry Roundtable of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the Membership & Marketing Chair on the RTA Leadership Committee (Regional Transportation Alliance).  Recently invited to join the AURP Membership Committee (Association of University Research Parks).

Kate Hier: AIA, NCARB, EDAC, WELL AP, Architect, Laboratory Planner, Clark & Enersen

Kate Hier is a Principal and Architect at Clark & Enersen. She is passionate about inspiring others through the design of beautiful spaces, and crafting architecture to be a tool for discovery, connection, learning, and healing. As a leader of the firm’s science and technology market sector, she specializes in the design of higher education and science & technology facilities and has led design on numerous high-profile projects at universities, research parks, and medical education centers across the nation. Her focus lies at the intersection of visioning for the future, consensus building, and design excellence.

Marcel Johnson: Senior VP Talent and Technology Scouting and Identification, Port San Antonio

Marcel Johnson has worked at Port San Antonio since July 2010 and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Talent & Technology Scouting & Identification. He plays a leading role in the organization's economic development efforts, which are rapidly transforming the Port, a unique commercial and industrial campus, into a national hub for innovation, cybersecurity, and applied technology. Johnson promotes the aerospace, robotics, and manufacturing capabilities at the Port, while facilitating connections and business relationships among industry, government, workforce development, and education entities in the region. Marcel’s previous experience includes over 10 years of service at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce leading and directing the chamber’s Economic Development and Small Business Councils focused on growing the region’s most prominent industries. He holds a BA from the University of the Incarnate Word and an MBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Debbie Kirchhoff: Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, Kansas State Olathe Innovation Campus

Debbie Kirchhoff, executive director of strategic initiatives, is responsible for community engagement and outreach in the Greater Kansas City region; and identifying and implementing opportunities for new initiatives that align with the strengths of Kansas State University. She oversees professional and continuing education programs, applied research and industry partnerships. These efforts position K-State Olathe as a springboard for growth opportunities for Kansas State University. Kirchhoff brings more than 25 years of corporate relations, community engagement and leadership experience in the Greater Kansas City region. She joined the Kansas State Olathe Innovation Campus in 2011 and has been in her current role since 2016. Kirchhoff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Kansas State University and her Master of Business Administration from Mid-America Nazarene University. She has lived in the Greater Kansas City region most of her life. Kirchhoff currently lives in Olathe, Kan., with her husband and has two grown children.

Erin Koshut: Immediate Past President, AURP; Executive Director, Cummings Research Park

Erin Koshut is the Executive Director of Cummings Research Park (CRP) in Huntsville, Alabama. With 300 companies situated over more than 3,800 acres and employing 26,500 employees, CRP is the second largest research park in the U.S. and the fourth largest in the world. Erin is responsible for managing and marketing CRP, and for providing a business environment that is conducive to growing existing industry and recruiting new industry into the Park. In her role as CRP Director, Erin continues to lead the implementation of the 2016 comprehensive master plan that ensures another 50 successful years for CRP. Partnering with stakeholders and community leaders, Erin is working to transform the culture in the Park and create a vibrant environment where employees connect, work, live, learn, and play. Erin is a certified Business Incubation Manager.

Michael Ledford: JD, President, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC

Michael Ledford, President of Lewis-Burke Associates LLC, directs the efforts of Lewis-Burke government affairs professionals on behalf of all clients.  With over two decades of experience in public policy and support efforts, Mr. Ledford provides tailored strategic counsel to leaders of colleges and universities, national management organizations, associations, government contractors, and federal laboratories.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Ledford has taken an active leadership role in each of the firm’s issue areas and has influenced policy throughout the federal process, including shepherding large-scale science projects through the congressional appropriations and oversight process.  In addition to expertise in the budget and appropriations process, Mr. Ledford has assisted clients with assessments of key education, international, health, and research programs; advised client leadership on short and long-term business strategies; and worked with federal agency officials to enhance new initiatives.
As part of client support efforts strategies, Mr. Ledford has drafted legislation to create new federal initiatives, served or led in coalitions to advance specific agendas, counseled client administrations to navigate the complex federal response following natural disasters, and coordinated with senior hospital administrators during interactions with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Derek Lunde: Head of Marketing + Brand, Partner, Red Propeller

Derek is a collaborative, strategic thinker who enjoys jumping head first into complex marketing and communication challenges. While his background and training are at the intersection of economics and marketing, his passion is for creative, well-orchestrated, and unexpected answers to common marketing problems. While at Red Propeller, Derek has successfully led storytelling and brand integration into the built environment of high-rise, mid-rise and mixed-use residential communities, corporate office spaces, and adaptive re-use developments. As a marketing director he has branded and launched over 8,000 units of multifamily housing and directed hospitality and tourism marketing for destinations across North America. Early on in his career, Derek happened upon an uncommonly diverse set of experiences. He ran a six-year communications campaign that successfully raised over $150M in federal and state funds to replace five unsafe and aging elementary schools on a military base. His branding vision refocused and reshaped two of the Pacific Northwest’s most coveted restaurant chains, Ivar’s and Taco Time. Derek’s focus on well-planned campaign strategy led to the most successful public interest air pollution reduction campaigns for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Prior to joining Red Propeller, Derek was the director of visual communication and strategy at BCRA, a top design firm. He led a team of marketing project managers, graphic designers, copywriters and media buyers as they executed comprehensive marketing campaigns for clients in the retail, multi-family, education, non-profit and government sectors. Derek also served on BCRA’s leadership team, providing direction on firm strategic planning and operations. As a way of getting his feet wet in the branding and marketing world prior to joining BCRA, Derek served as a project manager for High Point Solutions (now Masterworks). In his time there, he developed and managed email marketing campaigns, website UI/UX design, brand development and promotions for international non-profit organizations, including World Vision and Search Institute.

Allison Madden: MBA, President, AURP; Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary, University of South Florida (USF) Research Foundation

Allison Madden serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary for the University of South Florida (USF) Research Foundation in Tampa, Florida. In this capacity, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing corporate governance, strategic planning, and the operations of the USF Research Park. Ms. Madden’s extensive responsibilities include community development and planning, construction oversight, vendor and client relations, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and regulations. Her leadership contributes to the Research Park’s position as a cornerstone of USF’s Innovation Enterprise, which annually generates $582 million for Florida’s economy, sustains over 4,000 public and private sector jobs, and returns more than $71 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments.  In her role as Corporate Secretary of the USF Research Foundation, Ms. Madden is responsible for executing official corporate documents and supporting the management of the board of directors and executive committee.
Ms. Madden holds an MBA with a focus on management and a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Information Systems and Decision Sciences, both from USF. She is a member of the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies.
Beyond USF, Ms. Madden has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) since 2020 and is in the role of President of the organization for a two-year term. She was previously serving as Vice President of AURP in 2024 and as Treasurer for the 2023 calendar year. Additionally, Ms. Madden is a member of the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors and serves as Business Chair for the Tampa Bay Chapter of BioFlorida.
Throughout her career, Ms. Madden has maintained a steadfast commitment to ensuring the Research Park remains a premier destination for high-impact, high-technology research in a collaborative environment. Under her leadership, the Research Park continues to thrive as an essential hub for innovation, helping to drive economic development and research excellence in the region.

Brett Malone: President and Chief Executive Officer, Cherokee Farm Development Corporation

Recently appointed as the new President and CEO of the Cherokee Farm Development Corporation (CFDC), Dr. Brett Malone has more than two decades of experience across research and commercialization programs. Prior to his start at the University of Tennessee, Malone served as President of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center and worked significantly in the collaboration with regional tech hubs. He has been a pivotal force in numerous ventures that intersect with science, technology and entrepreneurship.

Jeanne Mell: Principal, JMell Communications

Jeanne launched JMell Communications in 2021 to help innovation-focused organizations and mission-based companies — and their leadership — shape and share their stories. Prior to JMell Communications, Jeanne served as Vice President Corporate Communications at OraSure Technologies (NASDAQ: OSUR). Before joining OraSure, Jeanne served as Vice President Marketing Communications and Community Engagement at Philadelphia’s University City Science Center, the first and largest urban research park in the U.S., where she positioned the Science Center as a leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech-based economic development. Immediately before joining the Science Center, she was Senior Vice President, Communications for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Chamber, Jeanne had a career in journalism at the Associated Press in New York and Philadelphia, ABC News, Good Morning America, Popular Photography Magazine, and Gannett. She started her career at Inc. Magazine. Jeanne is a member of the board of directors of Faithful Friends Animal Society. Over the course of her career, she has served on the boards of organizations including the Association of University Research Parks, Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs, Campus Philly, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the National Museum of Industrial History.

Zach Miles: Senior Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Executive Director, UNLV Research Foundation

Zach Miles serves as the senior associate vice president for economic development and executive director for the UNLV Research Foundation. In these capacities, Miles manages the assessment, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property owned or controlled by UNLV and assists start-up companies in building a strong business foundation and seeking capital. Prior to joining UNLV, Miles served as the deputy executive director of Technology Venture and Commercialization at the University of Utah. Miles has also co-founded, advised, and served as general counsel for a number of Utah based start-up companies.

Brett Morgan: Director, Real Estate Development, Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Laura O’Blenis: President and CEO, Stiletto: Make a Point

Laura O’Blenis is the Founder, President & CEO of Stiletto: Make a Point. She has more than two decades of experience as a park practitioner and strategist and has closed more than $400 million in deals and grants for clients since 2010. She has facilitated more than 1,000 strategy sessions and travelled the world to study innovation ecosystems which has informed the development of proprietary systems, processes, and tools that now include nearly a billion data points. Passionate about place making, her firm helps communities throughout North Amercia thrive with economic development strategic initiatives in cluster development and innovation ecosystem building.

Tom Osha: Executive Vice President, Wexford Science + Technology

Tom is employed by Wexford Science + Technology as an Executive Vice President. In this role, he guides Wexford’s implementation of its Knowledge Community strategy across their development stakeholders globally to position Wexford’s research park developments as critical hubs in the regional innovation ecosystem. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at Broadwing Inc., an NYSE-listed, telecommunications provider, providing executive leadership in the areas of corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation. Prior to that, he served as Special Assistant to United States Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), providing advice on foreign policy issues. Tom also provided policy advice to the Reagan Administration and developed a research methodology that has become a standard at Congressional Quarterly magazine.

Leah Palmer: Executive Director, Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AzAMI), Maricopa County Community College District

As the current Executive Director for the Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AzAMI), Leah has developed workforce implementation strategies for the manufacturing sector, connecting the talent supply with competency-based training in automation, robotics, electronics, 3D printing, drafting, machining and welding programs effectively addressing the growing workforce demands in Arizona. Her expertise is strategic planning, program design, funding acquisition, and building a systems approach to support economic impact by developing collaborative processes that bring together education, workforce resources and industry partners.
Leah has established a proven record of transformative and innovative results with over 20 years of hands-on experience forging collaborative partnerships and workforce solutions. The advanced manufacturing sector growth demands for a talent pipeline has inspired designing accelerated technician training in aerospace and semiconductor, upskilling hundreds of students for advanced manufacturing companies like Boeing, Intel and others. Next on the horizon is the growing Electric Vehicle manufacturing technician engaging in the “future of work” skills needed for tomorrows’ jobs.

Vickie Palmer: CEO, AURP

Vickie Palmer was appointed CEO in 2022, following 15 years’ experience significantly expanding the Association’s membership and sponsorship community. During her time with AURP, she has led the organization’s membership, event management and overall operations while working closely with the organization’s prior CEOs, Board of Directors and membership community. Recipient of the 2021 AURP Vision Award, Vickie brings to a proven record of success in association management primarily with The Kellen Company, a global association management company, and Management Plus, Ltd. She has over 25 years leadership experience with such associations as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Elder Life Care Planners (formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers) and the National Guardianship Association. Prior to her jump into the non-profit sector, she held executive convention management positions at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort in Tucson, AZ (formerly ITT Sheraton). Vickie obtained a bachelor of science with major in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University’s W.A. Franke College of Business. Additionally, she is a commissioned Stephen Minister.

Kelly Propst: Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Research Triangle Park

In August 2023, Kelly Propst joined the Research Triangle Foundation of NC as the vice president of marketing and communications. In her role, Kelly oversees marketing strategies and operations for the Foundation’s dynamic brands, each playing a unique role in the community. These brands encompass Research Triangle Park (RTP), the renowned research park where people and ideas converge; Hub RTP, the Park’s new vibrant downtown; Boxyard RTP, the hyper-local retail venue made of upcycled shipping containers; and Frontier RTP, an innovation community tailored for startups and emerging companies. Before joining the Foundation, Kelly had worked at Largemouth Communications since 2006. During her time at Largemouth, she provided account management, strategic planning, and PR program implementation for a wide range of clients, from hyper-local startups to multinational organizations with billions in revenue. Kelly oversaw strategic media relations programs, including media tours, thought leadership campaigns, grassroots initiatives, and consumer engagement strategies for clients in the retail, consumer, information technology, health care, biotech, and education industries. She also led content development efforts, supporting internal and external communications, as well as influencer engagement programs, social media content creation and creative brand activations.

Jamie Schwartz: Director of Industry and Business Engagement, UNLV Office of Economic Development; Associate Director, UNLV Research Foundation

Jamie Schwartz is the director of industry and business engagement for UNLV's Office of Economic Development and the associate director of UNLV's Research Foundation. Both are located within the Black Fire Innovation hub at the Harry Reid Research & Technology Park, where Schwartz is a former director for the Small Business Development Center at UNLV. The SBDC is part of a nationwide nonprofit that offers free, confidential assistance with business plans, loan and grant applications, and educational workshops to small businesses and startup entrepreneurs.
Schwartz has a background in business consulting, valuation analysis, financial analysis, banking, commercial real estate and business sales, and acquisitions. Prior to running a business strategy and valuation firm locally, she spent many years as a partner in a pharmaceutical research firm, specializing in business expansion, marketing, and new study acquisition.
The Las Vegas native has spoken to media outlets on topics such as navigating supply chain issues and business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of inflation on small businesses, the startup ecosystem in southern Nevada, and economic diversification.

Sarah Sheppard: Director of Education and Workforce, Maryland Department of Commerce

Sarah D. Sheppard brings a wealth of knowledge around education and workforce development to the Maryland Department of Commerce from her years of experience working in government and the private sector. She joined the Commerce team in 2019 and now serves as the Director of the newly formed Office of Talent and Workforce as part of the Division of Innovation and Growth, where she serves as the subject matter expert on education and workforce, develops strategies to develop partnerships and workforce solutions, oversaw over $600 million of federal funding, and manages the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund. Ms. Sheppard previously worked for the Maryland Department of Labor as the Director of Workforce Engagement for the Governor's Workforce Development Board and the Director of Policy and Planning for the Division of Unemployment Insurance. 

Tracy Shickel: Associate Vice President – Corporate Engagement, University of Delaware

Tracy Shickel is the Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement at the University of Delaware (UD). In this role, Tracy leads university-wide external engagement and innovation-based economic development including growth of the University’s Science Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus. Tracy’s background prior to UD includes extensive strategy development and commercial leadership with chemicals, biologics and advanced materials innovators such as WL Gore, DuPont, FMC and Monsanto. Tracy is a connector, supporter and facilitator of regional innovation and entrepreneurship activities and has served on various boards committed to creating vibrant ecosystems including Delaware Bioscience Association, UD Horn Entrepreneurship, the University Science Center, Association of University Research Parks (AURP) and PHLLife Congress. Tracy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management from the University of Delaware.

Lindsey Slater: Vice President of Strategic Communications, KU Innovation Park

Lindsey Slater oversees strategic communications for the Park, raising brand awareness to drive business development and expansion while providingsupport to resident companies. An experienced communications professional with a knack for storytelling, Lindsey highlights the strengths of the Park and its companies through the written word, video and beyond. She most recently was the director of communications and storytelling for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Professionals. 

Carol Stewart: Vice President, Tech Parks Arizona, University of Arizona

Carol Stewart, a long-standing authority on research parks, leads the UA Tech Park at Rita Road and is developing the UA Tech Park at the Bridges. She is also president of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, a technology business incubator network serving the University of Arizona, Tucson, and international community. Carol’s expertise in university research parks spans decades and nations with more than 20 years of experience working with research parks, technology commercialization, business incubation, governmental relations, and business development. As a pioneer in the research parks world, she has driven national policy, standardized programs, created national and international networks, built technology clusters, engaged stakeholders, and assisted countries with the development of their national science and technology policies. Carol is passionate about her community and serves as a champion in university-based economic development. She is a member of Southern Arizona Leadership Council, the Flinn Foundation Steering Committee, Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Sun Corridor Inc., Arizona Technology Council, Desert Angels, City of Tucson Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Council, and the Canadian Global Mentor Program where she also serves on the Board of Directors for Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Tonya Witherspoon: Associate Vice President, Workforce Development and Industry Engagement, Wichita State University

Tonya Witherspoon is a dedicated leader with over twenty years of experience in talent and workforce development through innovation, applied learning, and technology-based economic development. At Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus, she cultivates industry partnerships that connect faculty, students, and stakeholders to enhance research, education, and career opportunities. Tonya’s background includes teaching, founding several companies, and holding executive roles in technology firms. Passionate about innovation and community engagement, she enjoys collaborating with others to connect ideas and resources for broad impact. She serves on local, regional, and national boards that drive economic development. As a published author and speaker, she values the opportunity to share knowledge and learn from her peers.