About This Panel
This panel is the second discussion highlighting the achievements, challenges, and pathways to success for innovative projects in Ohio. Speakers in this panel speak on challenges faced by businesses and service providers inherent to Ohio and the current worldwide climate and pathways to success.
Speakers:
Steven Santamaria – CEO, Folio Photonics
Steven J. Santamaria is the Chief Executive Officer at Folio Photonics Inc. Steve is a seasoned technology executive, entrepreneur and student of disruptive technologies. During his 14 year career at Intel Corporation, he led an array of strategic projects including: the Microsoft partnership (Wintel), investment in China Software Park Program (with launches in Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Chengdu), global expansion of the Intel Developer Program, formation of the Visual Computing Group to move Intel into more graphics oriented businesses such as VR and 3D animation and the launching of various Intel Service businesses including Intel Online Services, AppUp and Tizen. Prior to Intel, Steve had a successful sales and business development career with companies including: Control Data, Ceridian, Parametric Technology and Giga Information Group. Most recently, Steve has started two companies: WebTuner Corp., an OTT video streaming company and Envelop VR, which created the first Windows desktop environment for virtual reality. Steve’s passion is working with cutting edge and disruptive technologies. He is well versed in identifying trends, understanding ecosystems and creating strategic plans that position technologies into industry control points, generating market presence, share and value. A graduate of Allegheny College, with a degree in Economics, Steve’s education has been further augmented by the Intel Leadership Program and various business and management classes at the Harvard Business School.
Sarah Nash – CEO, Novagard
Sarah is the owner of Novagard, a privately-held manufacturer of silicone coatings and sealants used in electronics, electric vehicle batteries, medical electronics, aerospace, window & door manufacturing, and construction. As President, CEO and Chair, she is steering their transformation from an industrial to an electronics-grade manufacturer of highly engineered silicones, adhesives, coatings, and sealants. She is committed to working with business leaders and supply chain partners to deliver innovative products in a world increasingly looking to electrify everything.
Sarah is currently the Interim CEO (May 12, 2022) and Executive Chair (February 2022) of Bath & Body Works, and is active on a number of public, private, and non-profit boards. She spent almost 30 years at J.P Morgan, helping to transform it from a commercial to an investment bank. She retired in 2005 as Vice Chairman of Global Investment Banking.
Baiju R. Shah – President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership
Baiju R. Shah is the President & CEO of Greater Cleveland Partnership, the region’s leading economic development organization and with over 12,000 members, the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the nation. Prior to GCP, Shah served as the Senior Fellow for Innovation at The Cleveland Foundation, the world’s first community foundation with assets of $2.8 billion. His work centered on catalyzing economic growth initiatives including leading the Cleveland Innovation Project. Shah remains a member of the Impact Investing Board Committee which directs a $150 million portfolio allocation of the foundation.
Bryan Stubbs – Executive Director and President, Cleveland Water Alliance
Stubbs is a recognized leader in implementing sustainable economic development strategies and building resilient communities. He has over twenty years of experience leading technologically and environmentally focused projects in Chicago, Silicon Valley, and Ohio. As President and Executive Director of Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), he oversees the development of one of the most effective water innovation clusters in North America. Stubbs has grown the organization’s reach and impact around the hypothesis that improving water quality through innovative technology and strengthening a regional economy are not mutually exclusive. CWA recently mobilized $5 million of investments from federal, state, and municipal supporters into its world-class Water Accelerator Testbeds and has catalyzed explosive water economy job creation that is outpacing that of the advanced manufacturing, biohealth, and additive manufacturing industries.
Ethan Karp – President and CEO, MAGNET
Dr. Ethan Karp is an expert in transforming companies and communities. As President and CEO of MAGNET, he has helped hundreds of manufacturing companies grow through technology, innovation, and talent. Dr. Karp is passionate about driving economic prosperity in Northeast Ohio. He’s a committed change-maker and community builder. He serves as Board Chair of Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development and as a Director on the boards of the following organizations: American Small Manufacturers Coalition, Cleveland Leadership Center, MidTown Cleveland, Inc., Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland. Dr. Karp is a recognized thought leader and a frequent national media commentator on the future of manufacturing in America, including a regular column in Forbes. Before joining MAGNET in 2013, he worked with Fortune 500 companies at McKinsey & Co. Dr. Karp received undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and physics from Miami University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from Harvard University. He currently resides in Cleveland with his wife and three daughters.
Taylor Manahan – Assistant Director, Advanced Mobility, Transportation Resource Center Inc.
Taylor Manahan joined TRC in 2011 as a research engineer at the Vehicle Research and Test Center where she specialized in advanced technology programs, advanced driver-assist and automated vehicle testing. Taylor then became the business development manager before accepting her present role as the Director of Advanced Mobility. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio Northern University and an MBA from Otterbein University.
Moderator: Iryna V. Lendel – Senior Director of Regional Economic and Community Development, The Upjohn Institute
Dr. Iryna V. Lendel was a Research Associate Professor and the Director of the Center for Economic Development at the School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. Dr. Lendel is an economist with vast experience conducting academic and applied research and analyzing regional economic development. Her research portfolio includes projects on industrial analysis, including high-tech industries, the oil and gas industry, art industries, steel industry and re-emerging optics industry; regional growth; technology-based economic development; technology transfer and ecology of innovation. She also writes on economic impact and the role of universities in regional economies. Dr. Lendel recently transitioned into the role of Senior Director of Regional Economic and Community Development at the Upjohn Institute in August of 2022.