2025 Finalist Judges

Esmael Dinan 

Esmael has more than twenty years of research and development experience with tech firms such as WorldCom, Bechtel Communications, Sprint, and Clearwire. He led research and development projects in areas of wireless and wireline networking technologies that included LTE-Advanced, Evolved Packet Core, 5G New Radio, 5G Core Networks, and Wi-Fi technologies. While leading and inspiring the Ofinno team, he never stops his own research — he has over two thousands granted or pending patent applications in his name. Esmael received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia in 2001.

Pallab Sanyal 

Pallab Sanyal is a Professor of Information Systems and Chair of the Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) area at the Costello College of Business, George Mason University. His research focuses on the design and economics of information systems and has been published in Management Science, MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Research (ISR), Journal of Management Information Systems (JMIS), Production and Operations Management (POM), and Journal of Operations Management (JOM), among others. He received the Design Science Research Award from the INFORMS Information Systems Society for his work. Sanyal teaches courses on Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, and IT Management to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as business executives. He has earned several teaching accolades, including the George Mason University Teaching Excellence Award in 2014. He serves on the editorial boards of leading journals, including Information Systems Research (ISR) and the Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS). He has also contributed to organizing major conferences such as AMCIS and WITS. Before entering academia, Sanyal spent nine years as an IT consultant, working in India, Singapore, the UK, and the US. His clients include Keppel Corporation, Texas Instruments, and Target Corporation.

Anil Sharma 

Anil Sharma is a serial entrepreneur, technocrat-business leader, angel investor, and philanthropist with a proven track record of building and scaling innovative companies. A first-generation immigrant, he arrived in the U.S. from India in 1997 with just $100. Today, he is the CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, a leading government-focused IT systems integrator and software solutions company. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a $2 million IT consulting firm into a $600 million enterprise with 6,000+ employees, playing a vital role in driving digital transformation and securing critical infrastructure. 

Beyond his business success, Anil is a passionate angel investor and mentor, backing multiple startups and small businesses. He is a key sponsor of the Accelerate Program and TiE Global, committing over $3 million in seed funding to support young entrepreneurs developing scalable, technology-driven solutions.

A strong advocate for community impact and education, Anil actively supports initiatives that empower future leaders. He dedicates his time to mentoring, funding scholarships, offering paid internships, and supporting outreach programs. As the Chairperson of the Advisory Board at Salvation Army Loudoun County, he also contributes to nonprofits like Missionaries of Charity, Special Olympics, FACETS, Feed the Hungry of Loudoun, and HOPE. Believing in the power of education and skill development, he has partnered with schools to provide students with real-world learning experiences and actively supports STEM education in Loudoun County Public Schools. 

Anil’s contributions have earned him several prestigious accolades, including the Distinguished Service Award, TiE Gov Con Elite Leader, and NVTC Top 50. 

He holds a Master’s in Computer Applications and lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Anupama, and their two children.

Paula Sorrell 

Paula Sorrell is the Associate Vice President of Innovation & Economic Development at George Mason University. She oversees the Office of Technology Transfer, the federal and state programs that support small business and lab-to-market activities, including the Small Business Development Center, the APEX Accelerator, Women’s Business Center, NSF I-Corps, four business incubators, two maker spaces, a Community Development Finance Institution, entrepreneurship programming at Mason, and innovation corridor development across Mason’s Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William campuses – in response to the establishment of Amazon HQ2 in Northern Virginia. These activities had a $3.7 Billion impact on Virginia last year. 

She joined after a position as Director of the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan where she also taught technology commercialization at the U of M College of Engineering’s Center for Entrepreneurship. She was the Principal Investigator for research in economic development best practices, including entrepreneurial ecosystem mapping, and best practices in university lab-to-market activities. 

Paula served as Vice President of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Capital for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, overseeing $1B under management and developed many new programs and investments to build the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem during the great recession recovery. 

She has held the senior marketing role at seven early-stage technology companies – six of which resulted in successful sale of the company. She serves on several boards, including Procurement Sciences ai, the State Science & Technology Institute Leadership Committee, the Institute for Biohealth Innovation Advisory Council, Prince William County Bio Innovation Advisory Group, Arlington County Economic Commission, the Potomac Quantum Innovation Committee, and the Fairfax County Economic Advisory Council.

Ahmad Ashkar 

Ahmad Ashkar is a decorated American Palestinian entrepreneur, recognized by Arabian Business and Gulf News as one of “The 100 Most Powerful Arabs in the World.” A recipient of GQ’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Esquire’s Man of the Year awards for his work in international startups, business, real estate and education, Ahmad has a proven history of transformational program design and implementation. Ahmad’s global learning programs have graduated over one million students across 100 countries. A recognized authority on startups, he is the author of, “The Pursuit of Impact - How One Idea Led a Generation to Change the World.” Most recently, Ahmad cofounded Forerunners Institute and Forerunners Startup Lab. Forerunners is a pioneering organization dedicated to cultivating a new generation of business leaders and startup entrepreneurs who harness the timeless values of Islam—courage, integrity, service, and excellence—to not just compete in business, but to lead with purpose and win with values that transcend profit. 

In addition to his institutional work, Ahmad is the founder of Falafel Inc, America’s largest privately owned national falafel and hummus chain, renowned for serving incredibly delicious, high-quality food paired with a mission that goes beyond the plate. At its core, Falafel Inc embodies the philosophy of “Eat for Good,” blending exceptional culinary experiences with a commitment to empowering and restoring dignity to refugees worldwide. The brand also proudly celebrates Palestinian culture and heritage, using food as a universal language to foster understanding, connection, and solidarity. This unique fusion of flavor, mission, and cultural celebration has earned Falafel Inc recognition as Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants in America, USA Today’s Best Sandwich in America, and Washington City Paper’s Best in DC for eight consecutive years (2017–2024). With over 20 locations across the USA, Falafel Inc stands as proof that a business rooted in purpose can create extraordinary impact while serving unforgettable food.

Renée Byng Yancey 

Renée Byng Yancey was selected to lead the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia in 2024 as its 4th President & CEO. A proud Northern Virginia resident, the community is a place she has called home since 2007. 

An experienced nonprofit and philanthropy executive, Renée’s early career began in the banking industry in her hometown of Philadelphia. Renée is dedicated to social change, strong and thriving organizations and communities, family, and economic success. 

Her career in the nonprofit sector spans the areas of education, workforce, and community engagement. 

Prior to taking the helm of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, Renée most recently held two inaugural senior leadership roles with the American Institute of Architects leading a team of 100 and 200 global chapters, and management of hundreds of volunteers. She also held a leadership position with the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington in the Pacific Northwest. 

Throughout her career, Renée has worked at the intersections of social change, public, private partnership, and civic engagement. She currently serves on the board of trustees of Peirce College. An avid sports fan, Renée is proud to root for her hometown Philadelphia sports teams. She earned a Master of Science degree from Drexel University and holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Peirce College.

James Crawford 

James Crawford serves as the Vice President of Strategic Growth & Engagement for Didlake, Inc., where he leads initiatives to expand partnerships, drive business development, and enhance engagement strategies. With an extensive background in U.S. government contracting and strategic development, James brings a wealth of experience in fostering growth and navigating complex federal, state, and local landscapes. 

Prior to joining Didlake, James was the President of Nordic Federal for Nordic Consulting, a global healthcare technology consulting firm, where he spearheaded the company’s expansion into the federal sector. Before that, he served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Administration for AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, overseeing strategic initiatives in some of the world’s most challenging environments. 

James’ professional journey began with distinguished service in the United States Air Force, followed by several as a criminal justice professional. His diverse background provides him with a unique perspective on leadership, strategy, and mission-driven impact. 

James is currently pursuing a Ph.D.in Educational Leadership at Liberty University. He holds a Master of Arts in Human Services and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

At Didlake, he leverages this expertise to advance the organization’s mission and create meaningful opportunities for the individuals and communities it serves

Shy Pahlevani 

Shy Pahlevani is Ernst & Young’s 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year winner. A successful D.C. based serial innovator who founded LiveSafe - a leading mobile safety communications platform that crowd-sources safety intelligence. He teamed up with brother Eman and business partner Jeff Grass to successfully grow LiveSafe into a global enterprise. LiveSafe was acquired by Vector Solutions via Golden Gate Capital in October 2020! 

In 2017, Shy, Eman and Jeff again teamed up to create food-tech platform HUNGRY - the first ever online catering marketplace connecting local top chefs for office food. 

Shy has been recognized as one of D.C.’s Top Young Entrepreneurs and Washington Business Journals’ 40 Under 40. Shy serves on the investment committees at James Madison University and Montgomery College. Shy holds 2 patents in mobile safety and security. Shy also currently sits on nonprofit boards including Inova Health Foundation, PathForward, JMU’s Center for Entrepreneurship, & Oasis Hill.

Juliet Falsafi 

With over a decade of strategic leadership across dynamic industries, Juliet brings a proven track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and profitability in high-growth environments. At HUNGRY Marketplace, Juliet serves as the Senior Vice President of Customer Success and Operations, spearheading transformative initiatives that propelled day-to-day operations from $30M to $300M in just four years. Through a hands-on approach, she optimized processes, implemented revenue-driving strategies, and expanded the company’s footprint across 12+ cities while managing a diverse workforce of over 270 individuals. Notably, during the challenges posed by COVID-19, Juliet founded and scaled a new line of business, generating $12M+ revenue and achieving a stellar 4.9- star customer rating, showcasing adaptability and innovation in the face of adversity. 

Prior to her role at HUNGRY, Juliet honed her expertise in Financial Planning & Analysis, and transformative leadership at renowned organizations including the World Wildlife Fund and K12, Inc. In these roles, she led crossfunctional teams, drove business process transformations, and implemented technology solutions to optimize operations and enhance financial performance.

Matt Gittleman 

Matt Gittleman is an early-stage venture investor at JHH vc, backing ambitious founders building data-driven companies. With a background in operations at venture-backed startups and an MBA from Georgetown, he brings a hands-on approach to investing. Matt is also a co-founder of VC in DC, a fast-growing network supporting the regional startup ecosystem.

Rayan Rahman 

Rayan Rahman, a 2017 Management graduate from George Mason University, is an entrepreneur who founded the non-profit Changing Bangladesh Foundation and the peer to peer tech startup Airposted.com (both sold). While at Mason, he secured over $400,000 in funding for Airposted, won the 2016 Patriot Pitch competition, and served as VP of the Mason Investment Club. After selling Airposted, he joined Amazon and works as a Talent Acquisition Specialist (4 years and counting). He resides in Virginia.

Karen Smaw 

Karen Smaw serves as the Director of Diversity Business Investment and Entrepreneurship at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). In this role, she leads the development and execution of programs that support the attraction, retention, and growth of startups and small businesses, with a particular focus on minority-, women-, and veteran-owned enterprises. 

A passionate advocate for entrepreneurial education, Smaw has created several impactful initiatives, including the widely acclaimed “Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County” workshop, which has engaged thousands of participants since its inception. 

Beyond her professional duties, Ms. Smaw is deeply committed to civic and community service. She currently serves on the boards of the Community Business Partnership and Virginia Career Works, Northern Region, and is a dedicated Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and an alumna of Leadership Fairfax; among other organizations she actively supports. 

Smaw holds both a B.S. and M.B.A. in Marketing and was recently honored as a 2025 recipient of the U.S. Black Chambers, Incorporated Power 50 Women of Influence award.

Anjan Chimaladinne 

Anjan Chimaladinne is a seasoned IT professional with over 30 years of experience. As Co-founder and COO of Anshultech, he drives strategic growth for a firm specializing in management consulting, data services, and IT staff augmentation. His leadership has been pivotal in mission critical applications for clients like the DoD and U.S. Bureau of Census. Anjan previously held senior roles at SAIC, CGI Federal, and Accenture, managing federal programs. He holds a Master’s in Technology Management from George Mason University. He previously served on the Virginia Governor’s IT Advisory Council (ITAC) and currently serves on the Board of Visitors at George Mason.

Mitchell Cho 

Mitchell Cho, BA '99, is the CEO of FedWriters, Inc. (FWI), a research and communications company he founded in 2010 in Fairfax, Virginia. Cho has since led year-over-year growth of the company, being ranked #146 on the Inc500 list of fastest growing companies in America as well as #3 on the list of fastest growing companies in Virginia. Today, FWI supports more than 80 federal agencies and commercial clients on critical programs related to scientific research, national security, and citizen well-being. He is a graduate of George Mason University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Cho also serves as Chair of the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority.

Timm Johnson 

Timm Johnson is the Director of the Mason Small Business Development Center and provides business counseling and mentoring for Virginia entrepreneurs and small business owners. Since 2009, Timm has counseled over 2200 clients providing advice on launching, financing, marketing, and selling their businesses. In 2018, he became the Director of the Mason SBDC and led efforts of the center’s reach into all of the communities in Northern Virginia. Timm is a practiced entrepreneur with over thirty years of finance and operations experience for technology and services growth companies in the commercial and government sectors.

Timm is a founding director of Venture Mentors, a provider of business advisory services to start-up technology companies. Through Venture Mentors, he provides leadership roles in several companies including Nexus Technology Services LLC, Omnilert LLC, and Zero Now, a 501c3. 

As an experienced CFO, Timm led several companies – from business formation and strategy, venture capital acquisition, business operations management and exit. In addition, Timm is proficient in Lean Start-up, Lean Thinking and GrowthWheel business methodologies.

Skip West 

Skip West founded MAXSA Innovations in July of 2003. MAXSA is dedicated to bringing innovative automotive accessories, solar lighting and unique consumer products to market. Products include electronic parking aids, rear vehicular collision warning safety system, safety vests, solar and battery powered outdoor lights, solar motion lights and even lights that are linked together. Almost all the manufacturing for these products is done in either China or Taiwan. 

Prior to MAXSA, from 1986 to 2003, Mr. West was co-founder and President of DesignTech International a leading manufacturer of remote starters, automotive safety accessories and wireless home automation products. The company grew at an average annual compounded growth rate of over 50% without the use of outside capital. Most of the manufacturing was done in the US. 

West worked for AT&T from 1980-1986. He was responsible for planning and leading marketing activities in the equipment and long distance businesses. During this time, he was also an adjunct professor at New York University and Rutgers University. 

He is on the boards of The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), National Science and Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. NSTEP is focused on the need to have more US students interested in careers in science and technology. West is also involved with charities focused on improving literacy, education and health care in Africa. For CEA, he serves on the Mobile and Accessories boards and is the former chair of the Small Business Group. 

West is an adjunct professor at George Mason in both the Engineering and Business School where he teaches a class “Geeks to Gazillionaires: How to take an Idea and Build it into a Successful Company.” 

West received his Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College in 1978 and his Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University in 1980. Before his college graduation, West spent a year teaching in Africa.