Team

Beth Beck

Beth Beck, one of the LAUNCH founders, is NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Public Outreach Manager in Washington, DC. Beth seized the idea of LAUNCH as an opportunity to make this world a better place while demonstrating the relevance between life on Earth and the extreme environment of space. She led creation of Mind Mapr, an interactive note-taking tool designed specifically for LAUNCH forums. Beth, a social media addict, adopted Twitter early in2007 as one of the first NASA users. She coordinated development of NASA’s Facebook account, and was instrumental in planning and supporting NASA’s spaceflight mission Tweetups. She developed Fragile Oasis http://FragileOasis.org with Astronaut Ron Garan to help tell NASA’s story to humanitarian-minded audiences. Beth received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for her innovative public outreach programs. Beth, a Phi Beta Kappa, received both graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas in Austin in government and public affairs, and is currently pursuing her PhD research on social intrapreneurship through Virginia Tech. You can learn more about Beth at http://twitter.com/bethbeck and http://bethbeck.wordpress.com.

Chad Badiyan

Chad Badiyan works with organizations to ideate, incubate, and facilitate ideas through a collaborative and transparent process. He has worked with the United Nations and Global 500 organizations, including IBM, 3M, Motorola, Best Buy, and General Electric. Chad has also built learning and knowledge management platforms and courses including IBM’s Online University, Motorola’s first WAP-based training program, the West LegalEdCenter, and Patterson Dental.

David Ferguson

David Ferguson is a member of USAID’s Office of Science and Technology focused on applied research and challenge models for development. Before joining USAID in September, 2009, he worked on international development over the previous 5 years as an independent consultant at the nexus of development, technology, and the private sector. His first career was 27 years at AT&T where he created and ran AT&T’s Professional Services Division, developing it into a US$200M profitable entity. He was based in Hong Kong for seven years and focused on the developing markets of China, India and Indonesia, for telecommunications services investment opportunities. He built seven joint ventures during this period. His technical expertise includes Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for development, economic growth through private sector engagement, and government technology and telecommunications policy and regulation. Mr. Ferguson holds a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He is married, has three daughters, and resides in Oakton, VA.

Dennis Bonilla

Dennis Bonilla is a data visualization professional and design manager that has created community-driven federal websites, developed immersive environment software for NASA, and worked on federal documents presented to the U.S. President. As the LAUNCH Community Manager Dennis communicates the LAUNCH initiative and innovator stories across LAUNCH's social media platforms. Dennis is versed in the nuances of online conversation and shares content, shoots photos, captures video, and provides insight about a program whose goals include changing the world. Follow the story at http://twitter.com/launchorg.

Diane Powell

Diane Powell, one of the creators of Launch, works for NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC where she has led initiatives in branding, public outreach, and partnership development. Diane sees Launch as the perfect opportunity to carry on NASA’s spirit of discovery and to collaborate with experienced partners to find solutions to challenges in space and here on earth. She and her husband also own a Bed and Breakfast on Capital Hill in DC.

Elizabeth Walker

Elizabeth Walker works with SecondMuse, a consultancy specializing in the use of collaborative processes to conceive and incubate innovative initiatives. Her focus is in sustainable development, conflict resolution and the science of collaboration. She has worked as a trial attorney for a non-profit agency combating gender-based violence among immigrant populations, for a private law firm serving Fortune 500 companies in complex litigation matters, and she is a trained community mediator. Her education and experience focus on the intersection between human rights and sustainable development. She received her B.A. at Wellesley College and her J.D. at Columbia Law School.

Jeff Hamaoui

Jeff Hamaoui is an expert in sustainability and public-private partnerships with 15 years’ experience exploring business models for social entrepreneurship. Jeff co-founded Origo in 1999, and has made a name as a cross-sector broker, facilitator and strategist. Origo was purchased by the Cazneau Group in 2010. Jeff spent several years working alongside the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and its 150 Fortune 500 companies looking at strategies for ‘inclusive’ business in emerging markets. This allowed him to consult across industry sectors, including healthcare (Pfizer), telecommunications (Vodafone, Nokia), oil and gas (BP and Chevron), utilities (Eskom, Suez, GE),and finance (Rabobank, Deutschebank, Wells Fargo, GE Financial). Jeff received his M.A. in Education from London University and B.A. in Philosophy and Literature from Swansea University. He is fluent in Spanish and French.

Jeremy Kamo

Jeremy Kamo is a collaboration and innovation professional, focused on cleantech and the environment. At Cazneau, Jeremy works on Colab-inspired projects for U.S. and foreign government agencies, multinational companies and philanthropic foundations. Jeremy joined Cazneau from the British Consulate General in San Francisco where he focused on energy issues for the Science and Innovation Network, and on the electronics and communications industries at UK Trade and Investment. Jeremy has also worked in Beijing, China, managing projects in Asia and Europe, and with NGOs addressing migration, health care and renewable energy issues. Jeremy received his B.A. from the University of Puget Sound's Business Leadership Program with a Minor in Economics. He completed language studies in Japan and China and serves on the US Board of Directors for Compassion for Migrant Children.

Lena Delchad

Lena Delchad works with SecondMuse. She is an international development professional with nine years of experience in project management and democratic governance. In the past few years she has worked as a contractor for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Middle East programs. Lena started her career in urban planning and subsequently defined a national municipal equity agenda and served immigrant communities. She received her Master in Public Policy from the George Washington University and a B.S. in Environmental Development from UC Berkeley.

Rachel Lawley

Rachel Lawley is a healthcare and life sciences business development professional with seven years’ experience supporting bio/pharmaceutical and medtech companies to enter new markets. In her current role as Healthcare Connector, she leads healthcare clients through Cazneau’s Colab process. Rachel worked for many years as Vice Consul for Life Sciences at the British Consulate-General in San Francisco facilitating connections between companies, researchers, funders, regulators, and government agencies in the U.S. and U.K. She started her career with Origo, Inc., and has a deep knowledge of the social enterprise field. Rachel received her B.S. in Psychology from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.

Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca Taylor is 2011 IEEE Engineering & Diplomacy Fellow, serving as Senior Advisor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the Office of the Science & Technology Adviser to the Secretary, U.S. Department of State. She is a 27 year veteran of the software and semiconductor industries and comes to her public service role following the successful sale of her firm Taylor-Deininger Partners, Inc. in June 2010. At TDP, Ms. Taylor advised executives in the semiconductor, software and venture capital industries on new market strategies and efficiency improvements to manufacturing. Prior to forming TD Partners in 2005, Ms Taylor was Director of Software Platforms at Advanced Micro Devices’ Personal Connectivity Solutions division, where she lead its software organization creating products for wireless networks, PDA, and digital TV. Prior to joining AMD, Becky was President/CEO of multiple startups and consultancies, notably Terrace Mountain Systems, where she provided software strategy and design services to the Global 2000, on four continents. Ms. Taylor is a Senior Member of the IEEE, holds multiple patents, has a BS in Computer Science, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Policy. Her board service has included board and advisory roles with multiple startups, election as a director of TruWest Credit Union ($750 MM assets), and Austin Community College’s Foundation Board. She has one son, Daniel, a college senior studying mechanical engineering.

 

Todd Khozein

Todd Khozein works with SecondMuse, a consultancy specializing in the use of collaborative processes to conceive and incubate innovative initiatives. He personally focuses on studying and applying the emerging science of collaboration. His interests lie in the incubation of collaborative frameworks where the incentive structure, technological platform and human resource development initiatives align to create a culture of innovation. Todd holds a B.A. in Economics and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of New Mexico.

Victor Friedberg

Victor Friedberg has been working at the intersection of technology, commerce and culture for 20 years as an entrepreneur, creative director and program director. From 2002 to 2009, Victor served as the founding Executive Director of WIRED NextFest, the premier global showcase of innovation produced annually by WIRED Magazine. Victor was responsible for the development of NextFest setting the overall vision and execution strategy. In addition to his leadership role in the organization, he served as the curator and creative director for NextFest identifying the innovations, themes, trends, and visionaries to be showcased. As a result he built a global network of designers, inventors, technologists and scientists that are at the forefront of innovation. Prior to NextFest, Victor founded the pioneering wireless network Talking Drum funded by Motorola Ventures and other Bay Area VC’s. Trained as a classical pianist Victor migrated from the ivories to programming synthesizers and computers at Oberlin college under the mentorship of the renowned American composer John Cage.

Will Schmitt

Will Schmitt is an international development professional and is Open Innovation Advisor in USAID’s Office of Science and Technology. Will is USAID’s LAUNCH Program Manager. In this role he focuses both on applying USAID’s technical expertise in LAUNCH and on integrating aspects of LAUNCH’s open innovation experience into USAID’s development practice. His areas of focus in international development practice include information and communication technology for development, economic growth, and democracy and governance, with a special emphasis on promoting innovation and new, non-traditional partnerships. His primary regional focus is on sub-Saharan Africa and he has served USAID on assignments abroad in Nigeria and Southern Sudan, with previous experience in Kenya. He also has significant experience as a Democracy and Governance Officer. Will holds the Master of Science in Foreign Service with Honors from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a BA in Government and French with Distinction in All Subjects from Cornell University.