Amanda brings 18 years of experience as a C-level finance professional in venture capital and venture backed startup companies. Ten of those years were spent as CFO of a venture capital fund, Verge Fund, which invests in seed stage, high growth, technology companies in New Mexico. Amanda has been involved in the raise and management of six venture capital funds totaling $47M as well as the creation and management of New Mexico’s first tech-Accelerator program and related venture capital fund as the founding CFO. While at Verge she led the finance/ops and fund administration teams. She has deep experience in fund management, finance, due diligence, portfolio management, financial audits, investor reporting and investor relations.

After leaving Verge Fund, Amanda joined Descartes Labs, a Santa Fe, NM data analytics startup in the SpaceTech domain, as their first Head of Finance hire where she built the finance and legal teams from the ground up. During her time with Descartes, the company scaled rapidly, growing from a team of 25 to a team of over 100, while doubling revenue+ year over year. During her time at Descartes she managed the implementation and migration of multiple financial systems, KPI’s, SOP’s, best practices, board reporting, external audits and domestic/international tax strategy. Shortly after coming on board she led the build out of the company’s headquarters in Santa Fe, NM and secured $800K worth of local incentives to support the project. Descartes Labs was acquired in July 2022.

Amanda has deep experience in venture capital and private equity fund creation, administration, operations, regulatory compliance, due diligence, investor relations and fundraising. Within these roles she has been involved in the raise and management of $82M+ of venture capital equity. She has a depth of experience in scaling organizations from their earliest stages into the growth stage, strategic planning, acquisition of debt instruments and non-dilutive funding sources, process and system implementations, external audit and tax strategy (both domestic and international), team cultivation, and risk management.

Based in Albuquerque, NM, Amanda is dedicated to fostering the growth of startup companies and the broader startup ecosystem in New Mexico. She is passionate about leveraging disruptive innovation to deliver strong returns for investors while driving wealth creation and economic development in underserved markets.

Ben Strozier brings a dynamic blend of venture capital expertise, operational leadership, and financial acumen to his role as Associate Fund Manager at Ingenuity Venture Fund. With a strong foundation in economics and political science, coupled with advanced training in venture capital through the GoingVC program, Ben has developed a comprehensive skill set tailored to identifying and nurturing high-potential early-stage companies.

Before joining Ingenuity Venture Fund, Ben served as a Venture Partner at GoingVC Partners, where he honed his ability to source and evaluate investment opportunities across emerging markets. His role at GoingVC involved conducting deep-dive investment theses and engaging with industry leaders to stay ahead of market trends. Ben’s commitment to the venture capital ecosystem is evident in his rigorous due diligence process, which ensures that each investment aligns with both financial returns and broader strategic goals.

Ben’s experience extends beyond venture capital into the realm of financial management and consulting. At David Taussig & Associates, a firm specializing in public finance, Ben rose through the ranks from Analyst to Manager. During his tenure, he led teams in complex financial modeling, data analysis, and project management. His work was instrumental in supporting clients’ strategic objectives through tailored financial solutions and meticulous stakeholder communication.

In addition to his professional achievements, Ben is passionate about fostering a collaborative team environment and is driven by the belief that teamwork can propel organizations to new heights. His leadership style is rooted in mentorship, creative problem-solving, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether managing investment portfolios or guiding teams through intricate financial projects, Ben’s approach is always informed by a deep understanding of both the macroeconomic landscape and the unique challenges faced by individual companies.

Ben’s career is marked by a dedication to advancing the growth of early-stage companies and contributing to the development of the startup ecosystem in New Mexico. His expertise in venture capital, coupled with his operational experience, makes him a valuable asset to any organization looking to drive innovation and achieve sustainable growth.

Kyle Lee brings over 25 years of leadership and operational expertise across diverse industries, including advanced manufacturing, technology, and education. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of CNM Ingenuity, Kyle has transformed the organization into a world-class provider of innovative education and workforce solutions. Under his leadership since 2015, CNM Ingenuity has expanded its reach, annually serving thousands of individuals through hundreds of programs across various professional disciplines. Kyle has spearheaded initiatives to bridge urban and rural divides, create equitable access to education, and address workforce needs through sustainable, next-practice strategies.

Notably, Kyle led the merger with ABQid, expanding statewide entrepreneurship programming and launching initiatives that integrate seed-stage capital funding. He has also formalized partnerships with main street businesses and high-tech startups across industries such as software development, manufacturing, and logistics, fostering job creation and economic development.

Kyle’s career has been marked by leadership roles in both public and private sectors. At MIOX Corporation, he scaled production capacity tenfold and renewed its product line, driving significant global growth. As COO at Voxox, Kyle directed operational strategies, enhancing product quality and aligning competitive approaches. His earlier roles at Intel Corporation focused on lean manufacturing and operational improvements, delivering impactful cost savings and throughput enhancements.

Kyle’s commitment to fostering innovation extends to his board memberships, including with ABQid, Space Valley Coalition, and AdWallet, where he has supported ventures in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development. A seasoned executive with a passion for workforce development, Kyle continues to drive transformative growth in New Mexico’s business and education ecosystems.

Rachel Olney is the Founder and CEO of Geosite Inc. She has taught innovation frameworks and built standard operating procedures for the most elite US special operations teams and is an instructor on Space as a Domain of Warfare at Stanford University. She has helped create and scale an international program in national security innovation and conducted research for the US Air Force on the Strategic Implications of Commercialization of Space. Her PhD work at Stanford addressed Innovation in Necessarily Bureaucratic and Hierarchical Organizations for which she studied deployment of new technologies across US Cyber Command. As the Founder and CEO of Geosite she leads a YCombinator backed startup disrupting the geospatial software industry, making it easier for large complex organizations, such as insurance carriers and the Department of Defense, to easily leverage spatial data (satellites, drones, IOT, geospatial AI, and climate models) to increase operational efficiency. She was also a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee for 2020 and a Gates Scholar at Stanford University.

Dr. Tom Cooley is a renowned expert in space technology with over 25 years of experience in the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). He currently serves as the President of TC Space Consulting, LLC, where he applies his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of space technology and the United States Space Force (USSF).

During his time at AFRL, Dr. Cooley held several senior positions, including Chief Scientist of the Space Vehicles Directorate, Senior Scientist for Space Situational Awareness, Principal Scientist responsible for leading the AFRL In-space Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing, Chief Scientist of SpaceWERX, Chair of the Department of Defense (R&E) Space Community of Interest, and Program Manager and Principal Investigator for the TacSat-3/ARTEMIS mission.

Dr. Cooley’s career in space technology began in 1988 when he joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer. He later earned his Master of Science degree from Caltech and his Doctorate from the Optical Sciences Center at the University of Arizona.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cooley has contributed to a wide range of technologies focused on electro-optic sensors and imaging spectroscopy from space platforms technologies. He has published over 70 papers in national and international journals or conferences and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the AFRL and SPIE Fellow.

Dr. Cooley’s expertise in space technology and the USSF make him a valuable asset to his clients at TC Space Consulting, LLC. His extensive experience and contributions to the field of space technology make him a respected authority in the industry.

Doug Campbell is a seasoned entrepreneur and startup veteran who founded and took public Solid Power (NASDAQ: SLDP), establishing it as the industry leader in all solid-state rechargeable batteries for the EV market. Doug led the company through its transition from a University of Colorado R&D project to a publicly listed company.

Doug also co-founded and led Roccor, a component supplier into the low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite industry, until the company’s acquisition in 2020 by Redwire Space (NYSE: RDW).

Doug is an active investor, startup advisor/mentor and education and outdoor philanthropist.

Dr. Peter Wegner is Co-Founder at BlackVe, Inc., a new space startup company.  He is also a member of the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, a member of the New Space Nexus Advisory Board and Board Director at XBow.

He is also a Strategic Advisor and former CTO of BlackSky, where he led implementation of BlackSky’s vision for technology across all aspects of the company’s capabilities and systems. He led BlackSky’s efforts to develop a world-class multi-sensor geospatial intelligence engine and the company’s engagements with strategic stakeholders to ensure customer needs are aligned with BlackSky’s business imperatives and investments.

Prior to BlackSky, Peter was the Director of Advanced Concepts at Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory, where he directed investments in new technologies. He also served as Director of the DoD’s Operationally Responsive Space Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he directed creation of a national strategy to develop new and innovative techniques to design, build, test and operate space systems. Peter also served as the Technical Advisor to Air Force Space Command Directorate of Requirements and a Research Engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, where he developed key innovations such as the ESPA Ring.

Peter holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wyoming. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering from the University of Arizona.

At Doyle Innovations, LLC, Derek Doyle leverages decades of technical expertise to help organizations achieve their most ambitious goals. His professional journey began in research and development with the Air Force Research Laboratories, Space Vehicles Directorate, before transitioning into space acquisitions support as a System Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA). His educational background spans multiple fields, including Mechanical Engineering (B.S. and M.S. degrees from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 2008) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico in 2011.

Derek has developed a wide array of tools and technologies across various fields, such as program management/analytics, consumer electronics, structural health monitoring, metamaterials, AR/VR, additive manufacturing, and satellite component development. These innovations have been featured in over 80 publications, secured by several patents, highlighted in the media, and flown on multiple NASA and AFRL space flights.

Additionally, Derek has worked on over 150 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects and advised other technology developers in overcoming new challenges. His expertise enables him to identify practical solutions and develop impactful minimum viable products that create transition opportunities.

Gabe leads the Tech Engagement Office for the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in New Mexico where he oversees technology transfer & commercialization, community engagement and outreach for the lab’s Space and Directed Energy technology areas. In this role, he oversees commercial engagement programs for the Space Vehicles and Directed Energy elements of AFRL consisting of the Hyperspace Challenge, Catalyst Space Accelerator, Q-Station Space Tech Cohort, and NewSpace Nexus Ignitor. He is also a founder and Strategic Advisor to SpaceWERX, the US Space Force’s Innovation office focused on discovering and connecting commercial capability to the Space Force mission. Gabe also serves as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve assigned to US Space Forces-Space (S4S), the service component to US Space Command, where he supports the Chief of Staff to the Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander.