Experts

The Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI²) at Georgia Tech is led by a team of experienced professionals dedicated to fostering innovation and socioeconomic development. This team of experts, who guide EI² in its efforts to promote technological advancement and economic growth across Georgia and beyond, are often tapped by media outlets to give commentary and insight. If you are a member of the media looking to connect with one of our faculty research or staff experts for interviews, please email:  ei2comms@innovate.gatech.edu
‎EI² Global's Experts
GaMEP's Experts
ATDC's Experts
PIN's Experts
‎EI² Global's Experts
GaMEP's Experts
ATDC's Experts
PIN's
Experts

‎EI² Global Experts

AllCommunication & Relationship ManagementSocioeconomic & Global DevelopmentProcess & Operations ManagementEconomic Development & AnalysisInnovation & CommercializationInnovation Ecosystems & EntrepreneurshipSpecialized ExpertiseAlbanianChineseFrenchGreekSpanish
Program Operations Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Krystle Richardson
Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Brandy Nagel
Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Xinying Lin
Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Doreen Kincaid
Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Annick Ducher
Research Faculty and Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Viviana Montenegro
Director, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute & Georgia Tech EDA University Center | Executive Director, Georgia Tech Medellín Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center | Adjunct Professor, University of South Africa

Juli Golemi
Marketing Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Kiersten Pace

Program Operations Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Krystle Richardson

Areas of expertise:
Interpersonal communication
Problem solving
Process management
Time management
Logistics
Empathy/emotional intelligence
Relationship management
Customer service

Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Brandy Nagel

Areas of expertise:
Building university innovation ecosystems
Building mentoring networks for early-stage entrepreneurs
Innovation & Startup Ecosystem Building
Innovation and commercialization
Entrepreneurship education

Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Xinying Lin

Areas of expertise:
Economics
Global Media and Culture
Ecosystem Building

Additional Language(s) Spoken:
Chinese

Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Doreen Kincaid

Areas of expertise:
FEMA grants
Innovation ecosystems

Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Annick Ducher

Areas of expertise:
Economic development
Innovation ecosystem building (specifically in Europe)

Additional Language(s) Spoken:
French

Research Faculty and Program Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Viviana Montenegro

Areas of expertise:
Ecosystem Building
Socioeconomic Development

Additional Language(s) Spoken:
Spanish

Media mentions:
AUTM Volunteer Recognition
AUTM Better World Project Committee Member Recogntion
Interview on UdeC TV for Bio-Bio Innovation District
Presentation in Chile about Bio-Bio Innovation District
Visit to IncubaUdeC and GearBox Concepcion Chile
Colombia: Atlanta’s Emerging Partner in Latin America – Global Atlanta

Director, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute & Georgia Tech EDA University Center | Executive Director, Georgia Tech Medellín Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center | Adjunct Professor, University of South Africa

Juli Golemi

Areas of expertise:
Economic development
Innovation and startup ecosystem building
Economic and fiscal impact analysis

Languages Spoken:
Albanian
Greek

Marketing Manager, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute

Kiersten Pace

Areas of Expertise:
Digital Marketing
Social Media Management
Content Creation
Communications Specialist

GAMEP Experts

AllFood Safety & Quality SystemsRegulatory ComplianceEnvironmental ComplianceEnergy ManagementCybersecurityLeadership DevelopmentSupply Chain ManagementSustainabilityISO Management SystemsAutomation & RoboticsHuman Resources & Organizational DevelopmentTeam & Executive CoachingLean ManufacturingEconomic Development
Industry Manager, Food & Beverage

Wendy White, M.S.
Project Manager - Cybersecurity / Research Faculty

Cassia Baker
Energy and Sustainability Project Manager

Sandra Enciso, M.S.
Project Manager

Gaby Saavedra, M.S.
Project Manager

Kelly Grissom, M.S.
Senior Research Faculty, Human Resources Consultant

Alfred Gardner, M.S.
Sr. Project Manager, Leadership Development

C. Andrew Helm, M.B.A
Senior Project Manager

Tom Sammon, P.E.

Industry Manager, Food & Beverage

Wendy White, M.S.

Credentials:
International HACCP Alliance Lead Instructor
American Society for Quality Certified Quality Auditor
FSPCA Lead Instructor Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCQI)
FSPCA Lead Instructor PCs for Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)
HACCP Certification for Meat, Poultry, & Seafood
BRCGS Internal Auditor
SQF Practitioner

Areas of expertise:
Food Safety and Quality Systems
Regulatory Compliance
Third-Party Audits
Supply Chain Management
Food and Beverage Manufacturing

MEDIA MENTIONS

Project Manager - Cybersecurity / Research Faculty

Cassia Baker

Credentials:
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) Certified
Professional (CCP) Training (CMMC CCP Training)

Areas of expertise:
Cybersecurity
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)
Economic Development
International Trade

Media Mentions

Energy and Sustainability Project Manager

Sandra Enciso, M.S.

Areas of expertise:
ISO 14001/ISO 50001/ISO 45001 Management System sSandards
Certified Lead Auditor by Exemplar Global
Environmental Compliance
Sustainability Coaching
Water and Wastewater Treatment Process Design

Languages Spoken:
Spanish
English

Project Manager

Gaby Saavedra, M.S.

Areas of expertise:
Environmental Compliance
Air Permitting
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Sustainability

Languages Spoken:
Spanish
English

MEDIA MENTIONS

Project Manager

Kelly Grissom, M.S.

Areas of expertise:
Energy Assessments (Facility, system)
ISO 50001 (Implementation, Gap Assessment, Internal Audits, Coaching, etc.)
ISO 9001 (Implementation, Gap Assessment, Internal Audits, Coaching, etc.)

Senior Research Faculty, Human Resources Consultant

Alfred Gardner, M.S.

Credentials:
HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR), DDI Facilitator Certification Process

Areas of expertise:
Human Resources
Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
Organizational Development
Employee Recruitment and Retention
Leadership Development

Sr. Project Manager, Leadership Development

C. Andrew Helm, M.B.A

Credentials:
Certified CliftonStrengths Coach
Certified DDI Leadership Instructor

Areas of expertise:
Leadership Development
Executive Coaching
Team Development
Employee Engagement

Senior Project Manager

Tom Sammon, P.E.

Areas of expertise:
Robotics
Automation
Industrial Engineering
Lean Manufacturing
Cobots

Media Mentions

Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) Experts

AllRobotics & ManufacturingTechnology & Product InnovationSmall Business & Federal Funding ProgramsFunding & Business DevelopmentEntrepreneurship & Startup Coaching
Sr. Extension Professional Research Faculty, SBIR/STTR Connect Catalyst, ATDC

Connie Casteel
HealthTech Startup Catalyst and Practice Area Lead, Georgia Tech Extension Professional I

Greg Jungles
Lead Robotics and Automation Startup Catalyst

Ward Broom, M.S., M.B.A.

Sr. Extension Professional Research Faculty, SBIR/STTR Connect Catalyst, ATDC

Connie Casteel

Areas of expertise:
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Non-Dilutive Federal Funding
Entrepreneurial Coach and Trainer
Relationship Builder
Competitive Intelligence

Languages Spoken:
Spanish

MEDIA MENTIONS
Augusta Business Daily
Ga Tech News

HealthTech Startup Catalyst and Practice Area Lead, Georgia Tech Extension Professional I

Greg Jungles

Areas of expertise:
IT Executive
Startup Coach
Ecosystem Builder
Mentor

Lead Robotics and Automation Startup Catalyst

Ward Broom, M.S., M.B.A.

Areas of expertise:
Business Development
Manufacturing
Product Development
Angel Investing
Entrepreneurship

PIN Experts

AllWorkforce & Economic DevelopmentCommunity Engagement & Coalition BuildingStudent Engagement & Experiential LearningLeadership & Team DevelopmentProject & Program ManagementSustainability & Local Government RelationsOperational Efficiency & Process ImprovementInclusive Tech-Based Entrepreneurship
Workforce Development Manager

Clarence Anthony Jr., M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Community Research Manager

Katie O’Connor, M.A., AICP
Student Engagement Associate

KeAndrea Rivers, M.S.
Student Engagement Manager

Cody M. Cocchi, Ed.D.
Headshot of Kayla Burns, Associate Director of Operations, PIN
Senior Operations Manager

Kayla Burns
Headshot of Jamal Lewis, Associate Director of Impact, PIN
Economic Opportunity Manager

Jamal Lewis, M.P.A

Workforce Development Manager

Clarence Anthony Jr., M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Areas of expertise:
Workforce development
Business development
Community-based coalition building
Grant writing
Program development
Economic development research

Community Research Manager

Katie O’Connor, M.A., AICP

Areas of expertise:
Sustainability
Community -Engaged Research
Local Government Relations

Student Engagement Associate

KeAndrea Rivers, M.S.

Areas of expertise:
Collaborative Leadership
Relationship Building
Leadership
Critical Thinking
Mental Health, Wellness, and Advocacy

Student Engagement Manager

Cody M. Cocchi, Ed.D.

Areas of expertise:
Program Management
Higher education
Experiential learning / Internships / Service Learning

Media Mentions:
Celebrating Student Innovation and Inclusive Prosperity – Enterprise Innovation Institute

Headshot of Kayla Burns, Associate Director of Operations, PIN

Senior Operations Manager

Kayla Burns

Areas of expertise:
Project management
Team Leadership & Development
Process Improvement
Operational Development & Efficiency
Adaptability

Media Mentions:
Celebrating Student Innovation and Inclusive Prosperity – Enterprise Innovation Institute

Headshot of Jamal Lewis, Associate Director of Impact, PIN

Economic Opportunity Manager

Jamal Lewis, M.P.A

Areas of expertise:
Inclusive tech-based economic development
Community-centered entrepreneurial ecosystem building

Media Mentions:
Georgia Trend – 2024 40-under-40 Event
Georgia Trend – 2024 40-under-40