Meet Our Team
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As a climate tech founder herself, Aina brings experiences spanning executive leadership, brand strategy, entrepreneurship, innovation, fundraising, finance, partnerships, start-up mentorship, social strategy, community impact, and a heart full of commitment and leadership of equity & justice in the climate space. With a Masters of Fine Arts from UCLA’s film school, Aina also brings unique talent and years of experience in storytelling, especially with regards to underrepresented voices and social impact.
She has worked globally, and notably was the first Black woman to run a venture-backed tech company in Germany. Many of her thought leadership pieces have been featured across various channels, including PBS, Forbes, Tech Open Air, The Guggenheim Museum, California Institute of The Arts, and SXSW, to name a few.
Aina Abiodun (she/her)
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As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Erin works with future-focused partners to create the conditions for innovation, shared economic prosperity, and environmental change through philanthropy. She develops relationships and partnership opportunities with foundations, corporations, philanthropic organizations, and individuals who want to accelerates solutions to the global human crisis of our time: climate change, while also building a more inclusive and Just Economy.
Erin has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit management and philanthropy working with corporate, government, foundation and individual funders around public space, environmental justice, climate and clean energy and access issues. Previously, Erin was VP and COO of Seattle Parks Foundation where she raised millions of dollars to support community-led parks and public space initiatives across Seattle. Erin has a BA from Western Washington University and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington.
Erin Clements (she/her)
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Juan Barraza is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at VertueLab. In this role, Juan is responsible for envisioning, creating, delivering, and continuously improving upon the support programs we offer to innovators and entrepreneurs, either on our own or with partners. Juan joins VertueLab from Portland State University, where he served as the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. He believes that entrepreneurship is a great equalizer in society, and that any individual with an idea or concept and a strong work ethic can create a great venture with a direct economic impact on family and community.
Juan Barraza (he/him)
Ken Vaughn (he/him)
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As Director of Impact Investments, Ken Vaughn manages the program-related investment activities of VertueLab and collaborates with other investors to grow the capital base available for cleantech innovation. He is responsible for impact capital formation, development of impact investing vehicles, evaluation of investment opportunities, investment transactions, and management of the VertueLab investment portfolio. Ken has extensive experience in managing innovation, starting companies, advising early-stage companies, and investing in early-stage ventures. Before joining VertueLab, he held senior management positions in technology strategy, engineering, product management and marketing in a wide range of industries and served as a venture partner and limited partner in multiple venture capital firms.
Felicia Kang (she/her)
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Felicia has worked in non-profit and mission-driven organizations for over seven years.She finds it incredibly rewarding to help organizations intent on changing the world for the better tackle financial and accounting issues, with a focus on long term fiscal sustainability. She also manages the day to day operations of the company to help ensure things run smoothly behind the scenes. When Felicia isn't reviewing budgets or crunching numbers for VertueLab, you can find her making ceramics and blending scents for her home wares side business, fei goods!
Fiona Kang (she/her)
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As the Climate Partnerships Manager: Foundations & Corporate, Joy is responsible for VertueLab’s portfolio of institutional funding partnerships including foundations, government entities and corporate foundation. She partners with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and leadership team to scale our work across the Pacific Northwest Region in efforts to meet the demand for our services and the urgency of the climate crisis. Joy holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University. In her free time, she loves cooking, climbing, hiking and giving her cat the attention that she so adamantly demands.
Joy Ren (she/her)
Leo Ochoa (he/him)
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Leo Ochoa is a designer, inventor and entrepreneur; from an immigrant family growing up in rural Oregon, he discovered early on that he wanted to solve big problems. He holds several design degrees and utility patents which have inspired him to build his company Dorsum, focused on creating wearable body supports to improve people’s posture, health and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
With Design, Ethnic Studies, and Business degrees from the University of Oregon and Industrial Design studies from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, Leo has worked for Columbia Sportswear & Philips Healthtech Innovation Center in Seattle leading projects through design, engineering and manufacturing. While building his startup Leo has been part of Portland incubators and accelerator programs. Knowing first hand the struggle of launching a product, he continues to lead by showing the way and previously was teaching Design Thinking and Business Modeling for Portland State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. As an Entrepreneur in Residence, Leo works with climate tech startups at all levels guiding and coaching them through the different stages of entrepreneurship.
Mike Witteman (he/him)
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Mike Witteman is an Entrepreneur in Residence at VertueLab. He is a transformational leader with a 30+ year track record of bringing new technologies to market. He pioneered the Intel Labs Venturing Program which created “startups” within Intel in Silicon Photonics, Maker products, and more. He also established a program to invest in early-stage startups emerging from Intel's university collaborations. His areas of expertise include: new business creation, venturing, product & technology strategy, partner collaboration, and corporate strategy. Mike led efforts in wireless, optical, data analytics, streaming media, videoconferencing, and embedded computing. He holds a BS from Oregon State University and an MBA from Duke University
Mary Phillips, Ph.D (she/her)
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Dr. Mary Phillips joined Vertue Lab as the Federal Funding Assistance Manager in January 2024, responsible for supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in Oregon (any discipline) or within the Pacific Northwest (climate tech) to identify and win appropriate federal funding opportunities, primarily SBIR and STTR, to enable ongoing research and development of their company's products or services. Mary is an experienced physical chemist, patent agent, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience working in the technology innovation ecosystem. Her passion is helping innovators and entrepreneurs win the funding to solve the complex puzzle of turning their STEM-related ideas, inventions, or discoveries into sustainable and profitable businesses that support human health and well-being and the planet we all inhabit.
Jacqueline Benitez-Harvey (she/her)
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Jacqueline is a second-generation Mexican American born and raised in the Willamette Valley. She obtained her bachelor’s degree at Portland State University where she studied Sociology and Business Administration. Jacqueline brings her experience in legal and business administration. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring Portland’s culinary scene with her husband or spending time with her family.
“As a woman of color, I am intimately acquainted with the daily challenges life presents. Every ounce of energy, time, and effort I've invested has shaped my lived experience and the person I am today. Instead of fearing mistakes, I choose to embrace them, reframing adversities as opportunities for growth. Whether in my personal or professional life, I live by the mantra of seeking learning opportunities and confronting challenges with unwavering determination.”
Our Board
Heather Andersen
Chair,
Board of Directors
Anna McCoy
Member,
Board of Directors
Joseph Connors
Secretary/Treasurer,
Board of Directors
Dennis Wilde
Member,
Board of Directors
Kelly Lyons
Member,
Board of Directors
Carol Dahl
Member,
Board of Directors
Jeff Canin
Member,
Board of Directors
Miguel Sossa
Member,
Board of Directors
Maurice Rahming
Member,
Board of Directors