MEET THE TEAM.

MEET THE TEAM.

Meet the Board of Directors

Judy Keen, PhD

Co-founder

President & CEO

Judy’s training in molecular biology and her tenure as a researcher at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey laid the foundation for her deep understanding of scientific principles and methodologies. This hands-on experience in the laboratory environment allowed her to appreciate the challenges and nuances of conducting cutting-edge research.

Karina Lipsman

Co-Founder

Karina’s expertise in international diplomacy, geopolitical strategy, conflict resolution, cyber and space domains, defense operations, and implementation of U.S. global defense systems spans almost two decades.

Mariza Smajlaj

Strategic Communications Director

With nearly a decade in media relations, government, and content strategy, Mariza's led initiatives to bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding.

Paul Gleger

Senior Strategic Advisor

Paul Gleger is the Founding Partner of DriveX Network, an advisory firm supporting mission-driven education and future of work organizations. Previously, he was the Vice President of Growth Partnerships at Emeritus, a global education company expanding access to high-quality and affordable executive education programs around the world.

Meet the Advisory Council

Brandi C. Brandon, PhD

Advisory Board Member

Brandi C. Brandon is an educator at heart.  In her current role of Director of Digital Innovation at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, she leads the digital capability training and upskilling of Medical Affairs teams around the globe.  

Mike Przyby

Advisory Board member

Mike has supported both NASA/GSFC and DARPA over the past 30+ years as a government contractor. Michael Pryzby is currently a Mission System Engineer for the Landsat Next Mission.  He was previously a Project Instrument Systems Engineer for the Landsat 9 Mission, the OSIRIS-REx Mission (asteroid sample return), the lead Spacecraft System Engineer for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the lead Spacecraft Bus Systems Engineer for the DARPA Phoenix Mission (robotic servicing of satellites.) 

Kelly Mack, PhD

Advisory Board member

Kelly Mack is a veteran of the academy and a distinguished leader in STEM higher education reform. As Vice President for Undergraduate STEM Education and Executive Director of Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Dr. Mack creates and oversees initiatives aimed at informing and influencing national policy and practice to transform undergraduate STEM teaching and learning.

Mark “Shep” Shepardson

Advisory Board member

Mark “Shep” Shepardson is a Digital Leader, Visionary and Technology Strategist developing innovative approaches to U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community missions enabling the U.S. Government to capitalize on commercial modernizations and investments.   

Sharon Williams, PhD

Advisory Board member

Sharon R Williams is an Anthropologist with a research and policy background in global health an aging and broad expertise in policy research.