Shelby Schneider is the Deputy Director of the New York State Economic Development Council. Schneider has over twenty-years of experience working in economic development in Saratoga County. In her most recent role, she served as the President and CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership leading critical economic and workforce development initiatives across the public …
Saurabh Kumar is Manager of Impact Measurement & Management at Clean Energy Ventures—a Boston-based venture capital firm investing in disruptive advanced energy technologies. Saurabh focuses on quantifying the environmental impacts of climate technologies, conducting sustainability-related due diligence on prospective investments, and creating value for portfolio companies by advising on opportunities to embed sustainability into long-term …
Mayor Ben Walsh is the 54th Chief Executive Officer of the City of Syracuse. The first independent mayor of Syracuse, Walsh was first elected to the position in 2017. He was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term in 2021. Upon becoming Mayor in 2018, Walsh and his team created a new vision for Syracuse: to …
Aric Shorey is the Senior Director of Glass Technology at Menlo Micro. Prior work experience includes time as the Vice President of New Business Development at Mosaic Microsystems and the Commercial Technology Manager at Corning Incorporated. Aric received his PhD in Materials Science from the University of Rochester. LinkedIn | Company Website
Mike is the Managing Director of Scale For ClimateTech and of Technology Commercialization at NextCorps. He has created multiple programs—including NextCorps’ LaunchPad for web and mobile startups—by drawing on his experiences from founding and co-founding eight startups (including one that became publicly-traded) as well as his training through the National Science Foundation iCorps Program at …
Ken Rother is the Managing Director of REV Ithaca Hardware Accelerator. He is a proven entrepreneur who has built and exited two successful tech/media start-ups. Strategic, resourceful and results-driven leader with a unique blend of experience in operations, sales, product management, and technology. Comfortable and effective in a startup environment as well as transitioning to …
Ellen Ditonto is the Business Development Coordinator for Retool WNY. She is a well-rounded business professional with expertise in technology solutions, B2B sales, sales and organizational management, and project management, specifically with public sector and large business accounts. LinkedIn | Company Website
Charlotte Hamilton is the CEO and co-founder of N5 Carbon. She is an experienced founder and CEO in material science and hard tech and is the co-inventor of multiple pieces of intellectual property across five start-ups. She has raised and closed over $33 million funding and contracts to date LinkedIn
Rick Clonan is President of Taro Manufacturing Company. He is a passionate entrepreneur, innovative business builder, and Central New York advocate. Always looking for connections and conversations with idea makers, experts, and venture builders who believe in innovation within our community. LinkedIn | Company Website
Janna Chernetz is the Senior Director of Global Government Affairs for Amogy. She has 20+ years of experience advising private and nonprofit entities on public policy and legislation and partnering with government agencies, elected officials and legislative leadership in order to drive economic development, health, equity and environmental stewardship issues for municipalities, counties, state and …
