Nick Doucette
Chief Operating Officer, Ursa Major Technologies Inc.
Nick Doucette is the vice president of operations for the Liquid Systems business at Ursa Major. He joined the company in 2016 to help build the next generation of American-made rocket engines to get customers to space quickly, reliably, and affordably. Prior to joining Ursa Major, Nick worked for SpaceX where he led the manufacturing teams responsible for the Dragon capsule propulsion systems, production for the Merlin and Raptor engines, and additive manufacturing processes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Boston University and a master’s in business administration from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Andrew Feinstein
President, University of Northern Colorado
Andy Feinstein is the 13th president of the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to joining UNC in July 2018, he served in various leadership positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, California State Polytechnic University, and San Jose State University. As president of UNC, Andy has led the development of a comprehensive ten-year strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030; pursued creation of an osteopathic medical college; and strengthened the university’s financial position. He leads with a “students first” focus and works to foster an inclusive environment at UNC where all individuals feel welcomed and supported. Andy is actively engaged in the Greeley community, and he is a national leader, including serving on the board of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. He has also led efforts among the presidents and chancellors of Colorado’s public colleges and universities to ensure institutions advocate for the needs of higher education with one voice.
Abe Harraf
Professor of Management, University of Northern Colorado
Dr. Abe Harraf is a tenured professor of management at the University of Northern Colorado. From 2007 to 2011, he served as provost and senior vice president at UNC. With more than two decades of academic leadership experience, including more than a decade as chief academic officer at three private and public institutions, he is an accomplished scholar and frequent speaker at local, regional national and international forums. Prior to joining UNC, he served as provost at Southern Utah University for five years and was chief academic officer at the Daytona Beach campus of Embry Riddle University.
Kyle Henley
Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Colorado State University
Kyle Henley serves as vice president of university marketing and communications overseeing marketing and brand management, communications, community affairs, and engagement and social and digital media. He previously served as senior vice president and chief communications officer for the University of Southern California. Prior to USC, Henley was vice president for university communications at the University of Oregon, and before that he was a senior member of Colorado State’s communications team — first as director of Denver PR from 2011-2014 and then as assistant vice president for strategic communications from 2014-2015. He came to CSU after serving as corporate communications manager for CoBank, one of the largest private banks providing financial services to support agribusiness, rural infrastructure, and Farm Credit customers in the US. Henley is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and Harvard’s Kennedy School Executive Education Program in Crisis Leadership in Higher Education.
Ann Hutchison
President & CEO, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Ann Hutchison became president & CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce on January 1, 2021. She started with the Chamber in 2003 as Policy Committee Coordinator and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2005. Before moving into the CEO role, Hutchison directly managed the communications and event departments, assisted in the day-to-day operation of the Chamber and managed issues and political advocacy as well as the Chamber’s Leadership Fort Collins and Leadership Northern Colorado programs. Most recently, she has been a key leader in the community pandemic economic Response, Recovery and Reignite efforts.
Amber Krummel
Director of deep tech initiatives, Colorado State University
Amber Krummel is an associate professor of chemistry and associate chair of operations in the Chemistry Department. Her research focuses on interrogating chemical structures and dynamics in complex environments, using nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy and imaging techniques, applying ultrafast laser development, nonlinear spectroscopy and microscopy to address questions in biology and materials science. Krummel is a Monfort Professor whose work has been recognized nationally, including the Sloan Research Fellowship, NSF CAREER Award, and DOE Early Career Award. She teaches courses spanning introductory chemistry to upper-level graduate courses in physical chemistry and spectroscopy. Outside work, she serves on national and international executive committees in her field and maintains industrial partnerships within the energy industry.
Lyndsey Linke
CEO & co-founder, SiVEC Biotechnologies
Lyndsey Linke, CEO and co-founder of SiVEC Biotechnologies, is known for thriving in dynamic, innovative environments. She and her team at SiVEC are developing transformative solutions, promising a future where treatments are safer, more effective, and can conquer even the toughest diseases. She has secured over $8 million in financing and funding for SiVEC, boasts 15+ years of R&D experience in biotherapeutics and drug delivery, is a first named inventor on 33 patents related to SiVEC’s technology, and possesses a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering from Colorado State University.
Alana Olschwang
Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, Front Range Community College
Dr. Olschwang more than 20 years of experience in advancing planning and strategy, data infrastructure and evidence-based decision-making. Throughout her career, she has served in multiple capacities to promote institutional effectiveness and strategic planning within higher education through leadership across institutional research, workforce integration, strategic planning, evaluation and assessment. Her research focuses on improving student success and smooth transition into the workforce, closing equity gaps, improving university processes and advancing culturally responsive and sustaining practices. This has led to support for multiple grants, including as Principal Investigator for a $5.3 million National Telecommunications and Information Administration grant for Connecting Minority Communities.
Phyllis Resnick
Executive Director and Chief Economist, Colorado Futures Center at Colorado State University
Phyllis Resnick is a one of the co-founders of the Colorado Futures Center and currently serves as both Executive Director and Lead Economist. Her most recent research focuses on macro/fiscal forecasting, fiscal sustainability, economic impact analysis, and the political, economic and distributional effects of fiscal rules such as tax and expenditure limitations. Her fiscal forecasts have been integral to budget decisions for the states of Colorado and Hawaii, in the cities of Boulder, Arvada, Denver, and Aurora, for the state transportation budget, and for public enterprises including Xcel Energy and many of Colorado’s metropolitan planning organizations. Together with Jennifer Newcomer, Phyllis’ most recent research portfolio has expanded to include work on family economic security and community economic health.
Russ Rothamer
Executive Vice President, Aims Community College
Dr. Russ Rothamer has been the Executive Vice President of Aims Community College since July 2018. With more than 35 years of experience in higher education and business, he brings unique experiences from both worlds, helping to drive results at Aims. Russ is a team player who values collaboration and likes to have fun at work. Before joining Aims, Russ served as the chief of staff and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the Alabama Community College System. He spearheaded system-wide initiatives for all 24 colleges in Alabama, leaving a lasting impact on the state’s educational landscape.
Rich Werner
President & CEO, Upstate Colorado
Rich joined Upstate Colorado Economic Development in his current role as president & CEO in 2015. Upstate Colorado operates in Weld County in Northern Colorado where they have partnered with local communities to support the unprecedented growth making Northern Colorado one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. Prior to joining Upstate, Rich worked in Southern Colorado for six years. Rich has previously served as the Associate Director for the State of Colorado Small Business Development Centers for Former Governor Bill Owens and Bill Ritter. Prior to his appointment by the State, he acted as the Director of Marketing and Community Affairs for the Boulder Technology Incubator (CTEK). Rich spent his early career in the private sector in Washington DC after receiving degrees in Political Science and Communications from The American University.
