2025 Semifinalist Judges

Sampson Addo 

Sampson Addo is currently the Program Manager for the George Mason University NSF I-Corps and NIH REACH Programs. With a fervent dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Sampson supports researchers and innovators in higher education to navigate the rigorous customer discovery process, ensuring their technological advancements make a tangible impact on society. Sampson’s expertise and passion have led him to present at numerous conferences, where he showcases his commitment to technological innovation, commercialization, and their profound effects on human life. A significant achievement marks his journey: alongside two colleagues from the University of Ghana, Accra, Sampson developed a proposal that secured a World Bank grant. This grant facilitated the establishment of a Technology Development and Transfer Center at the University. Driven by a relentless pursuit of progress, Sampson Addo continues to inspire and lead the charge in bridging the gap between academic research and practical, lifechanging applications.

Sina Faridimehr 

Sina Faridimehr is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Statistics at George Mason University. He is also the Founder and CEO of Enerytics, a technology startup focused on providing AI-driven solutions to help organizations optimize energy efficiency, demand management, and asset management. Prior to founding Enerytics, Dr. Faridimehr worked as a data scientist for multiple Fortune 500 companies, including Nielsen, WarnerMedia, and Ford Motor Credit Company. He was a member of the Judging Panel at the 2019 Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics and the primary researcher of WarnerMedia’s team, which received recognition in the 2018 INFORMS Edelman Analytics Prize. Faridimehr has published several papers in top academic journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University, as well as a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology

Megha Kamra 

Megha Kamra is a seasoned Product Leader with over 10 years of experience in technical product management and analytics. Currently serving as the Lead Product Manager at Venmo (PayPal), Megha Kamra drives the development of customer-centric and business-focused products. With a strong background in managing highstakes customer engagements, Megha Kamra leads product management teams to deliver innovative solutions that address customer needs and pain points. Holding a Master’s degree in Data Analytics Engineering from George Mason University (2017), Megha Kamra combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of data to create impactful product features. Throughout their career, Megha Kamra has played a pivotal role in shaping and executing strategies that drive product success and enhance customer satisfaction. Passionate about leveraging analytics and technology, Megha Kamra continues to lead and inspire teams toward building products that deliver tangible value to customers and the business.

Gisele Stolz 

Gisele Stolz serves as the Senior Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at George Mason University’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact. She spearheads a range of initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty, researchers, and students. She is the co-Principal Investigator and director of the NSF I-Corps Program. Gisele also manages the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX), and runs two programs under the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative: the CCI Experiential Entrepreneurship Internship Program and the CCI Accelerator for cyber projects emanating from Virginia public research universities. Gisele’s professional background includes experience in international banking and high-tech startups. She contributed to a Swiss secure telecommunications startup before joining the science park at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). Additionally, she developed and implemented two new business development programs for tech startups. Gisele graduated from one of the top three French “Grandes Écoles”, ESCP, and obtained her MBA from INSEAD.

Lakia Graham 

Lakia Graham is a dedicated Marketing Manager at Didlake, where she has been passionately advancing the organization’s mission since August 2022. She is committed to creating and promoting opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities. Drawing upon her experience as an Army veteran, Lakia brings a unique perspective to her work, embodying values of service and dedication. Lakia holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stratford University, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Utica University. Her academic background underscores her commitment to excellence and strategic thinking in the field of marketing. Beyond her professional achievements, Lakia finds fulfillment in giving back to her community. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Independence Empowerment Center, advocating for people with disabilities. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Prince William County Community Foundation creating a stronger, healthier, and more connected community by addressing critical needs in food insecurity, health & wellness, scholarship, and philanthropy. Additionally, she dedicates her time to coaching volleyball for the Springfield/South County Youth Club, nurturing the next generation of athletes with her expertise and guidance. With a blend of military discipline, academic prowess, and a heart for service, Lakia Graham exemplifies a leader who is not only committed to professional success but also to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Kuzeyhan Ozdemir 

Kuzeyhan Ozdemir is the Director of Academic Partnerships at NobleReach Foundation. Prior to NobleReach, Kuzeyhan was NSF I-Corps Program Manager at George Mason University. Before Mason, he worked at the intersection of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, Bilkent University and Technology companies. He leverages his experience to support startup founders, academic and student entrepreneurs to transform their ideas, and inventions into tangible products and services that positively impact people’s lives and contribute to the economic development. He advocates for entrepreneurial and growth mindset. He has BSc and MSc degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Majoring in Computer Science) and MBA, all from Middle East Technical University in Turkey. He also has Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

Jennifer Rose 

Since her undergraduate days at the University of Virginia, Jennifer has wanted to pursue a career in the nonprofit field. In fact, it was an internship with the United Way – Thomas Jefferson Area during her fourth year at the University of Virginia that set her on her career path. She has worked with several non-profit organizations in both paid and unpaid positions, including the United Way – Thomas Jefferson Area, the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, the March of Dimes of Southwest Virginia, the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia, the Doña Ana County Humane Society, the United Way of Southwest New Mexico, the Junior League of Albuquerque, the Rotary Club of Albuquerque del Norte, YMCA of Central New Mexico, Crossroads for Women, Northern Virginia Family Service, the Rotary Club of Fairfax, Food for Kids, Westminster School, Sean Singletary Foundation, Potomac River Skimmers, Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread), Highland School, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and the Fairfax Forward Foundation. 

Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfax Forward Foundation. Prior to this, she served as Development Manager at Britepaths from 2012-2017. In 2017, Jennifer joined the ranks at George Mason University as Adjunct Faculty in the School of Integrative Studies, where she taught a course on the Nonprofit Sector for two and a half years. During that time, she was honored with a “Career Influencer” Award by the University. In addition, she has provided consulting services to start-up non-profit organizations. 

Jennifer is an active member of the community. She is a recent graduate of Leadership Fairfax’s LFI Class of 2024, where she was honored to be chosen by her peers to serve as the “Class Voice”. She is a Past-President of the Rotary Club of Fairfax and a previous Rotarian of the Year. She serves on many boards and commissions around the City of Fairfax, including the Inter-Service Club Council, Spotlight on the Arts, and the Fairfax City Chocolate Lovers Committee, which she chairs. She recently rolled off the boards of the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives as well as the Village Advisory Board and the Independence Day Celebration Committee. She remains an active volunteer with all three groups. 

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she received a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communications Studies. In addition, she received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New Mexico State University

Stephanie Zimmermann

Stephanie Zimmermann serves as the George Mason University Alumni Association Vice President for Student Engagement. She is enthusiastic about engaging with fellow alumni and students, fostering connections that support the university community. Stephanie graduated from the Costello College of Business in 1993 with a BS in Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems and was honored as a Prominent Patriot in 2017, and has been a volunteer for the university for 7 years. She and her husband, Russ, are avid Mason basketball fans —season ticket holders for the men’s and women’s basketball team and proud supporters of the Patriot Club. Beyond the university, Stephanie is the fractional COO for ARTriculate, a Washington, DC-based college admissions consulting firm. With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business strategist, Stephanie has a proven track record of transforming ideas into successful ventures. Her expertise spans business planning, operations, marketing, team management, and customer experience design.

Vineet Chhabra 

Vineet Chhabra is a senior global product, innovation and marketing strategy executive with over 25 years of experience in the EdTech, Consumer FinTech, Non-Profit, and Consumer Products industries. He has deep expertise in developing and scaling new products and creating compelling consumer experiences, from concept to market, in internal and external start-ups. Vineet specializes in new product development, innovation, digital strategy, and market entry strategy, aimed at growing and transforming businesses through technology and digital solutions. Vineet holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi, India. He earned an MBA in Marketing from the University of Delhi, India, and has another MBA, majoring in Strategy, from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Vineet has been an Adjunct Professor in Marketing at George Mason University since 2018. He is a recent empty-nester and lives in Fairfax County with his wife.

Michael Cunniff 

Michael Cunniff founded and operated a boutique consulting firm offering business operations and CFO services to early stage companies. He brings more than twenty-five years of experience in finance, strategic operations and business development, skills he utilized at more than twenty early-stage and start-up ventures in his career. Most recently, Michael served as the Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Skift, Inc., a position held from the company’s launch in 2012 until he retired in September, 2024. He was also a director of Skift’s UK subsidiary.

Michael led several companies through fund raising and acquisition, including ContentNext Media, a digital media company (acquired by Guardian News and Media), Waywire (acquired by magnify.net), Ludic Labs (acquired by Groupon), Truveo, a video search company (acquired by AOL) and Cognitive Networks (acquired by Vizio). Prior to working with these organizations, Michael held a number of senior leadership roles at Inktomi Corporation, the last of which was Vice President and General Manager of the software division, Content Networking Solutions. Michael also held a variety of financial and operations positions for Hitachi Data Systems over his ten-year’s there. Michael holds a BA in Business Management from George Mason University and is a first generation college graduate. 

Michael served six year terms on three separate non-profit boards over the last twenty-five years, the first of which was Hospice of the Valley, whose mission is to provide compassionate palliative, hospice and grief care. He was elected president of each board during his time there. Michael continues to volunteer in his community and is very active as a Little League Baseball umpire. 

Michael lives in San Jose, California with his wife of more than thirty years, Teri. They have four children and four grandchildren.

Mike Hatch 

Michael has been with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) for three years covering the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest region for their technology practice. In his role as vice president, Michael deals with managing a portfolio of companies in different industries and works with them from pre-seed stage through IPO. Prior to joining SVB, Michael worked at Plug And Play Tech Center, an accelerator/venture capital firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. There, as an Investor Relations Associate, he was involved in fundraising efforts, created and built out the VC deal flow network, and prepared diligence reports on companies across various verticals. Michael is also a proud board member and chapter head for Gen Z VC. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin.

Rehan Mahmood 

Rehan Mahmood is an entrepreneur and IT professional for over 19 years, having focused on systems integration and telecom consulting for U.S. Defense industry across 15 of those years. Within this time, Rehan graduated with two Engineering degrees from George Mason University, Certificate of General Management from Stanford GSB, and launched two defense contracting companies that have deployed Unified Communication, Digital Automation and Data Management solutions for various DoD mission partners across the world. 

During the pandemic, Rehan’s passions expanded to Digital Education and Healthcare with active R&D projects involving building AI powered assistants tailored for underserved communities. Most recently, Rehan launched “EngineeRD Solutions, LLC” an R&D company with the mission of eliminating burnout from overwhelming tasks in the home, school and workplace by building impactful digital products. This venture has afforded Rehan with employing great innovators but also strong partners such as George Mason University and other institutions across the United States. 

Rehan has leveraged these relationships to pursue research, design experiential learning programs, fund internships, and champion Cooperative Learning on existing degrees. Rehan is a life-long learner and empathizes with the diversity of modern students. He is passionate to build better learning systems by innovating the access to knowledge for all and eliminating barriers on cost or time. 

As a small business owner and employer for over 12 years, he believes strongly in private and public business accelerators and entrepreneurship centers that offer students an opportunity to design their own careers, take risks and make something new. When Rehan is not building digital products you can find him teaching seminars and mentoring students and business leaders on how to commercialize their ambitions with the right tools and strategies. 

Rehan envisions a future where learners become instructors, fostering a culture of shared success and continuous learning.

Gus Aguenaou 

Ghassan (Gus) Aguenaou is a dynamic and results-oriented CEO with a rich background in the Hospitality industry. Renowned for his strategic acumen, innovative mindset, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Gus has steered multiple companies to unprecedented success. 

His mastery in crafting unforgettable experiences and surpassing client expectations has solidified his reputation as a visionary leader. With a keen emphasis on cultivating relationships and nurturing collaboration, Gus excels in uniting teams to orchestrate extraordinary events. His passion for creating memorable moments and driving organizational growth underscores his leadership philosophy, making him a driving force in the realm of hospitality.

Seb Demirkan 

Demirkan is passionate about education, inspiring future business leaders, bringing expertise as an instructor, researcher, and published author. Specializing in financial accounting, reporting, and various facets of business operations, he extends his knowledge to areas such as auditing, taxation, corporate governance, sustainability, and emerging technologies like blockchain, analytics and big data. Beyond academia, Demirkan offers consultation, career coaching, volunteering, and investigative services primarily on a pro bono basis, reflecting a commitment to giving back and supporting others. His commitment to fostering collaboration between industry practitioners and academic institutions reflects a belief in the power of synergy and impact. Guided by principles of integrity, hard work, a holistic perspective, and a philosophical mindset, Demirkan consistently contributes to a diverse spectrum of endeavors

Michael Gallagher 

Michael is the co-founder at ImageShield, which protects subscribers from deepfakes, scams, and other abuses by monitoring how and where the photos they’ve shared on social media are used. He is also the Executive Chairman of The Stevie® Awards, the world’s premier business awards. They were created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. In short order the Stevie has become one of the world’s most coveted prizes. His career reflects his passion for recognizing achievement across the diverse spectrum of business. 

Michael’s commitment to honoring excellence was sparked during his tenure as Vice President of The New York Festivals, organizer of the some of the world’s largest international awards competitions for film, television, advertising, and other media. Under his leadership from 1982 to 1988, The New York Festivals significantly expanded its global influence by adding new awards competitions in fields such as radio and print advertising. 

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University.

Eddie Hill 

Eddie Hill serves as the Director of the Mason Enterprise Center – Fairfax. Eddie regularly consults with over 100 entrepreneurs annually growing ventures across a range of industries and technologies, including firms commercializing university research. 

He has served as an advisor to community entrepreneurs as a member of a nationally award-winning business incubation program and in similar roles at the University of South Florida and University of Central Florida (FSBDC). His areas of expertise include Lean Startup/Lean Launchpad, strategy, business model development, management, marketing and access to capital. He is active in a number of organizations promoting technology-based economic development, entrepreneurship, and venture funding. 

Eddie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Birmingham-Southern College and an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Alabama.