Team

About Our Team

Members of the Foresight team are veterans of commercialization and product development with experience in research, technology transfer, new venture creation, and business development.

 

Management

Phyllis "Leah" Speser
Chair, Board of Directors
Phyllis Leah Speser, J.D., Ph.D., R.T.T.P., N.P.D.P. (who goes by Leah) is a Senior Consultant to the Director General of the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation, focusing the development of Read More
Arendt Oak Speser
CEO
Arendt Oak Speser, Ph.D., returns to Foresight as CEO after serving in higher education for many years and co-founding an independent publishing company (Andante Books). Dr. Speser has held multiple Read More
Konstantin Izvolsky
Director of Consulting & Training
Dr. Konstantin Izvolsky manages the training and certification of Foresight's consultants and frequently executes trainings for Foresight's clients via webinars, on-site workshops and guest speaking appearances on topics such as Read More
Alyssa Belleville
Director of Sales & Marketing
Mrs. Belleville engages internal and external stakeholders in Foresight’s mission to support research and commercialization in many markets. In addition to her sales activities at Foresight, Mrs. Belleville manages the Read More

 

Administration

Paula Williams
Project Coordinator
Ms. Williams has over 25 years of experience in the retail field. Utilizing her Fine and Studio Arts background from attending the University of RI, she owned and operated her Read More
Kelli Cardoso
Project Administrator
Kelli received her bachelor’s degree from Worcester State University and has over 10 years of customer service and administration experience. She recently assisted in expanding one of the largest real Read More
Reda El Alami
Market Analyst
Mr. El Alami received his bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and supplemented his education with a Data Analytics program from Northeastern University. He has also received his New Product Development Read More
Satya P. Chinta
Senior Researcher and Program Manager
Dr. Satya Chinta has a Doctoral and International master degree in organic chemistry from TU-Braunschweg, Germany specializing in natural product chemistry and Post doctorate studies from University of California-Riverside  and Read More
Brian Parent
Marketing Assistant
Brian Parent received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Worcester State University and has a proven track record in marketing. In recent years he spent time as a Lead Marketing Read More

 

Senior Consultants

Aaron Chockla
Senior Consultant, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering
Dr. Aaron Chockla has worked with multiple start-ups, including a clean-tech venture he co-founded in 2013. Prior to joining Foresight, he worked in various industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and Read More
Al Poskanzer
Senior Consultant, Ph.D. Chemistry, CLP
Dr. Al Poskanzer is a seasoned professional with a combination of business & academic qualifications and experience spanning 40 years that is truly unique. With a Ph.D. in physical chemistry Read More
Arsh Haque
Senior Consultant, MPP, JD
Arsh Haque, Esq. is a national award-winning founder, coach, and storyteller. He is the Director of the PSBA (the oldest & largest accelerator in Oregon), Head of Product at Pitch Read More
Arundeep S. Pradhan
Senior Consultant, M.S. Pharmacy Administration, B. Pharmacy (Honors)
Mr. Pradhan has worked with individuals, universities and companies on intellectual property strategies, licensing and agreement negotiations, technology and company due diligence, commercialization strategy and business planning. Arundeep was the Read More
Bob Kodrzycki
Senior Consultant, PhD Biochemistry, MS Plant Sciences
Dr. Kodrzycki has over 33 years of experience in industrial R&D and consulting with a focus on bioenergy, renewables, biotechnology, biobased products and ag biotech. Over his professional career, Bob Read More
Bob Teague
Senior Consultant, MD
Leveraging technology to improve process and outcome, Dr. Bob Teague’s career spans clinical practice and executive leadership in Fortune 50 enterprises and prominent healthcare institutions along with experience in the Read More
Brett Keeney
Graphic Designer
Brett Keeney is a graphic designer and illustrator from Baltimore, Maryland with 20+ years of experience in the creative arts field. His work is guided by a strong belief in Read More
Bruce Inwood
Senior Consultant, MBA, BS Biochemistry
Mr. Inwood is an experienced marketing leader with proven success leading Go-To-Market launches for over 20 years globally with both large enterprise and small business innovators. He spent over 12 Read More
Calvin Holt
Senior Consultant, MBA Strategic Mgt., BS Petroleum Engineering
Serial entrepreneur and business development specialist in emerging technologies, Mr. Holt has a passion for finding solutions facing the energy industry.  In his 35 years in the oil, gas and Read More
Dalena Kensington
Senior Consultant, MSc Information Systems Management, BSc, Agriculture, BSc Science Journalism, SSBB, PMP
Dalena Kensington is an experienced portfolio director and technology commercialization consultant with a background rooted in product management, leading strategy teams and public relations for niche leaders including Apple, Biodesign Read More
Daniel Satinsky, Esq.
Senior Consultant and Business Advisor
For more than 20 years, Mr. Satinsky has been engaged in technology-related international business projects and in building practical business networks. He has participated personally in three startup companies and Read More
David Allen Cato
Senior Consultant, MS Chemical Engineering, MS Organic Chemistry
Mr. Cato has 18 years of experience in chemical manufacturing including pharmaceuticals, fuel additives, antioxidants, catalysts, polymers, plasticizers, and flame retardants. He earned his bachelor is science degree in chemistry Read More
David J. Glass
Senior Consultant, B.S., Biological Sciences, Ph.D., Biochemical Sciences
Dr. David Glass is an independent consultant with over 35 years’ experience in biotechnology and related life sciences fields, with much of that time devoted to patents, licensing and technology Read More
David McClure
Senior Consultant, M.S. Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, Ph.D. Biochemistry, J.D. Law, RAC
Dr. David McClure has focused most of his professional efforts for the past 20 years on developing health-related products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and cognate Read More
David Snyder
Senior Consultant and Program Manager, M.A. Economics, CLP
Mr. Snyder has over 30 years of experience in marketing and technology commercialization of hardware and software products. Mr. Snyder spent over 20 years with a Japanese manufacturer of electrical Read More
Deborah Moorad
Senior Consultant, BS Biochemistry, M.B.A.
Deborah Moorad is the CEO of CorriXR Therapeutics, an oncology-focused biotherapeutics development company focused on overcoming drug resistance. Moorad is also the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at Cortado Ventures, an early-stage venture Read More
Del Mackey
Senior Consultant, BA Interdisciplinary Studies, MBA
Mr. Del Mackey is dedicated towards helping innovative companies move further towards a successful commercial undertaking. Del has over a decade of experience in the SBIR/STTR programs, where he worked Read More
Denise LaGasse
Senior Consultant, Ph.D. Computational Linguistics and Computer Science, J.D. Law, C.L.E.
Dr. Denise LaGasse has done market analysis and licensing for clients in both the academic and commercial sectors. Her specialties include hardware and software applications and operating system technologies, bioinformatics, Read More
Divya Shakti
Senior Consultant, B.Tech. Agriculture & Food Engineering, Master of Bioscience, M.E., Biological Engineering
Mr. Divya Shakti has over 15 years of experience working in various areas of Life Science Business including competitive business analysis, market research, pipeline and portfolio analysis, strategic planning, intellectual property Read More
Ed Kase
Senior Consultant, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, MBA
Mr. Kase is a strategic planning and business development executive with more than 25 years of B2B experience, including 15 years of SBIR/ STTR technology commercialization. This experience spans various Read More
Efrain Figueroa
Senior Consultant, Ph.D. Solid State Physics, MS Electrical Engineering
Efrain Figueroa has over 17 years of experience in the development of optical, opto-electronic and semiconductor materials and devices for applications in laser optics, sensors and optical communications systems. He Read More
Elle Gahl
Senior Consultant, B.S. Biological Engineering
Elle Gahl is an entrepreneur and technology transfer specialist for federal agencies and the private sector. After graduating from Montana State University in Biological Engineering, she worked for the world’s Read More
Fred Rodgers
Senior Consultant, MBA
Mr. Rogers has a 43 year career as an entrepreneur in the technology field. First Fred worked in the computer industry and now for the last twenty years, commercializing university-developed Read More
Gary N. Keller
Senior Consultant and Project Manager, MBA
Gary Keller has over 30 years of experience in international business development and global technology led economic development.  He has worked for leading biotechnology and life science companies, worked within Read More
Ginger Goodin
Senior Consultant, B.S. Civil Engineering, M.S. Civil Engineering, P.E.
Ms. Ginger Goodin is an experienced leader in the transportation research industry and is skilled at applying research to practice within a complex institutional and policy landscape. She brings a Read More
Heath Naquin
Senior Consultant, BBA, MSTC, PMP
Mr. Heath Naquin is a senior innovation consultant focusing on strategic alliances, investment and acceleration of science and technology ventures with innovation ecosystems around the world. He has lead the Read More
Ian Nieves
Senior Consultant, PhD Materials Science, MS Chemistry
Dr. Nieves possesses 20 of experience performing materials R&D, computational modeling and environmental and health-related international consulting. He has utilized high resolution microscopy, spectroscopy, failure analysis and engineering simulation to Read More
Isabelle M Gorrillot
Senior Consultant, Ph.D.
Dr. Isabelle Gorrillot is a life science partnering executive with over 20 years of combined licensing experience in industry and academia. She has a robust track record of success in Read More
J. Don Marioni
Member, Board of Directors and Senior Consultant, M.S., Aeronautical Engineering, Business Certificate (MBA Equivalent)
Mr. Marioni holds a M.S. from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, and a Certificate in Business Management from UCLA. Prior to joining Foresight, where he is a major shareholder, Read More
Jean N. Koster
Senior Consultant, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering
Jean is Professor Emeritus of Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CUB). He has 43 years of experience in teaching, conducting research, and service. Jean, born Read More
Jean Norton
Senior Consultant, M.S. Technology Commercialization
Jean Norton has a rich history in validating Technologies for their Commercial Potential ranging from agriculture, medical, software, consumer goods and more. She’s been involved with technology assessments throughout the Read More
Jennifer Blossom
Senior Consultant, B.S. Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Jennifer Blossom is an accomplished scientist with deep expertise in analytical chemistry, quality assurance, biopharma manufacturing, and regulatory compliance. Her background ranges from high-volume commercial environmental labs to building and Read More
Jim Gagnon
Senior Consultant
Mr. Jim Gagnon is a software developer and past founder of a successful company, Abacus Concepts, in 1984. He nurtured the company from a raw, self-financed start-up to a mature Read More
John D. Ruley
Senior Consultant, B.S., Physics; M.S. Space Studies
John brings over 25 years experience as a technology writer and editor, primarily focusing on personal computing, aviation and space. John's writing has appeared in Astrobiology, AvWeb.com, Cessna Flyer, HP World, Read More
John Hallman
Senior Consultant, Ph.D. Physical Organic Chemistry, B.S. Chemistry
Dr. John H. Hallman brings a passion for chemistry, emerging technology, product development, field application and technology evaluation and transfer.  In his 30 years in the oil and gas, specialty Read More
Jon Würfl
Senior Consultant
Mr. Würfl has over 30 years of technology experience, from start-up capitalizations to serving as a fellow in venture capital. With a deep background in biochemistry and electronics, Jon has Read More
Joseph C. Gennaro
Senior Consultant, BA Math & Economics. PhD Astrophysics
Dr. Gennaro is an inventor, researcher, consultant, and analyst with experience in a variety of areas, including experimental physics research, finance, startup formation and fundraising, and therapeutic and diagnostic development. Read More
Joseph Janda
Senior Consultant, MA Biology, MBA, RTTP
Joseph Janda has worked with early stage technology evaluation, IP development and licensing, and university technology start-up companies for over a decade.  His experience spans university technology transfer offices at Read More
Julia Goldberg
Senior Consultant, Master of Intellectual Property; MS, Chemistry; BS, Material Engineering
For over 15 years, Julia Goldberg has focused her career on the commercialization of technologies from research institutions as well as emerging companies. She is an active member of MA innovation ecosystem connecting entrepreneurs, Read More
Kalpana Desai
Senior Consultant, B.S. Biology; MBS Biopharma Entrepreneurship
Ms. Desai, earned a B.S. Biology from University of California Irvine and an MBS Master of Bioscience – BioPharma Entrepreneurship from the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Lifescience. In addition, Read More
Kathleen Cantagallo
Senior Consultant, BS Chemical Engineering, MS Industrial Management
Ms. Cantagallo is a highly accomplished Senior Executive with more than 30 years of success in the healthcare and life sciences industries. Leveraging in-depth experience to the Vice President level in Read More
Keeley Bowler
Senior Consultant, MS Molecular Biology
Keeley has over 10 years’ experience helping to commercialize early stage technology. She has worked as a business development and market strategy freelance consultant, providing her clients with the expertise Read More
Kristen Parmelee
Senior Consultant & AAP Trainer
Kristen (Kris) Parmelee specializes in SBIR/STTR preparations and submissions and has worked on over 300 proposals throughout the course of her career. She has assisted with submittals to all 11 Read More
Kristin Norton
Senior Consultant, Ph.D.
Dr. Kristin Norton is a health tech veteran specializing in go-to-market strategies, late stage product development, compliance, content, and high level messaging for medical device and health IT firms. Kristin Read More
Leslie Smith
Senior Consultant, B.S. Microbiology, M.S. Environmental Planning and Management, JD
Leslie Smith has over 25 years of experience in scientific research, regulatory compliance, commercialization of academic innovations and business development, working with both public and private entities. For the past Read More
Lisa Dufresne
Senior Consultant, M.S., Civil Engineering, Hazardous Material Management, B.S., Chemical Engineering
Ms. Dufresne has over fifteen years of experience in technology transfer and new product commercialization with broad exposure to medical, environmental, energy, and defense technologies.  After receiving her B.S. in Read More
Louis McCarrick Dufresne
Consultant, Computer Engineering
Mr. Louis Dufresne earned a BS in Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. During this time he worked at Spica Technologies Inc. as a laser technician testing optical Read More
Mark Schrader
Senior Consultant, BS Civil Engineering and MS Meteorology
Mr. Schrader has been a business consultant since 2005 providing commercialization consulting to high tech firms conducting government-sponsored research and development, universities, government agencies, and corporations. He also has over Read More
Mercedes Robaina
Senior Consultant, MBA, Ed.D. Applied Learning Sciences
Dr. Mercedes Robaina is currently the Director Academic Research at Advocate Aurora Research Institute (AARI), Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she drives the strategic and financial direction of the Academic Research Division which Read More
Mia Zmud
Senior Consultant, MS Environmental Science, BS Environmental Health
Mia Zmud leverages the power of scientific research to guide emerging technology and innovation business strategies and market plans within the transportation industry. Holding C-level, senior advisor, and management roles Read More
Michael Lucca
Senior Consultant, B.S. Computer Science, M.S. Computer Science
Mr. Lucca is a senior executive with over 30 years experience in the information technology industry.  He has held various senior management roles in engineering, marketing, business development and strategy Read More
Natalia Toth
Senior Consultant, Ph.D., MBA
Dr. Natalia Toth has extensive experience in technology evaluation, market research, and competitive analysis. Natalia's background includes years of scientific research in biomedical field, work in technology transfer environment at Read More
Paul Scott Hardersen
Senior Consultant, B.A., Political Science, Ph.D., Geology
Dr. Hardersen has wide-ranging experience in scientific research, academia, and the travel industry. He has published a variety of scientific research papers, primarily involving the study of the surface composition Read More
Peter Whiteside
Senior Consultant, B.Eng
Mr. Whiteside has over 30 years of engineering experience with successful manufacturing development from laboratory scale, to pilot-volume, to commercialization for a variety of products such as CD/DVD optical media, Read More
Ray McKee
Senior Consultant, Ph.D. Biochemistry
Dr. Ray McKee focuses on issues confronting stakeholders at the interface of commercial, academic, and institutional research and development. With 30 years of experience as an executive and business development Read More
Renee Mallett
Senior Consultant,B.A., Education, MBA
Ms. Mallett works with small companies, universities, and government labs providing assistance with business development planning, marketing, negotiation, and licensing of intellectual property (patentable and non-patentable research products). Prior to Read More
Richard McCarrick
Senior Consultant, B.A., English, Business Certificate
Mr. Richard (Dick) McCarrick is a technical writer, editor, journalist, and commercialization consultant with over 30 years of experience. Areas of expertise include computer software and web sites, space technology, Read More
Richard Proffitt
Senior Consultant, M.S. Technology Commercialization
Mr. Richard Proffitt has many years of experience in assessing technologies from a think tank in Texas, and preparing commercialization plans and marketing plans through his consultancy. Mr. Proffitt has Read More
Richard R Matner
Senior Consultant, PhD Biophysics, MBA International Marketing
Dr. Richard Matner earned a doctorate in Molecular Biology and Biophysics from the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York and a Masters of Business Administration in International Marketing from the Read More
Robert D. Feeney
Senior Consultant, Ph.D., Physical Chemistry
Dr. Feeney earned a doctorate in Physical Chemistry, with minors in Analytical Chemistry and Applied Physics, from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.  His research in graduate school was Physico-Chemical Patterning: Chemical Read More
Robert Martinsons
Senior Consultant, B.S.Electrical Engineering,M.S., Electrical Engineering
Mr. Martinsons specializes in electronics and medical devices, although he works with a wide range of other technologies as well. He has over 40 years of large company and small Read More
Robert R. Gruetzmacher
Senior Consultant, B.A. Ph.D.
Dr. Gruetzmacher has over 35 years of industrial experience working for DuPont in multiple functions across a broad range of responsibilities, in life and physical sciences, both hands-on and in Read More
Sonia Vohnout
Senior Consultant, B.S. Computer Science, M.S. Systems Engineering
Ms. Sonia Vohnout is an independent minded entrepreneur and mentor to small technology companies looking to commercialize their ideas. During her career Sonia has held executive management and senior technical Read More
Steven L. Ludmerer
Senior Consultant, B.S. Chemical Engineering; MBA
Mr. Ludmerer brings over 40 years of experience building and consulting with specialty chemical, advanced material, and consumer products businesses to his clients. During his two decades at DuPont and Read More
Tim Raines
Senior Consultant, BS, Industrial Distribution, MS Science and Technology Commercialization
Mr. Raines is an experienced commercialization executive with a primary focus on early stage technology marketing, sales, business development and SBIR/STTR grant development. Tim has worked in Technology Transfer with Read More
Timothy G Morrissey
Senior Consultant, PhD Mechanical Engineering, MS Ceramic Engineering
Dr. Tim Morrissey is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur with extensive experience both leading and executing alongside small teams. Tim’s experiences span 5 years as the cofounder and CEO of a venture Read More
Vasumati ("Vasu") Pestonjamasp
Senior Consultant, Ph.D., Biochemistry; M.S., Microbiology; MBA
Dr. Vasumati ("Vasu") Pestonjamasp's expertise includes assessment of commercialization potential of technologies spanning a broad range of areas; competitive business analysis, market research and market penetration strategies, intellectual property assessment, Read More
E. Wayne Turnblom
Member, Board of Directors and Senior Consultant, Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Executive Program (MBA Equivalent)
After graduating with his doctorate from Columbia, he was an Instructor and Post-Doctoral Fellow at Princeton University for two years. Dr. Turnblom is a member of Foresight’s Board of Directors Read More
Wil Jacques
Senior Consultant, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.B.A., Registered Patent Agent
Wil Jacques is a senior intellectual property subject matter expert with over 25 years of development, patenting, commercialization, and licensing experience in public and private sector engineering, manufacturing, and sales Read More
Yacine Dalichaouch
Senior Consultant, Ph.D., Physics
Dr. Yacine Dalichaouch is an experienced professional with a unique blend of scientific and business skills and a well-rounded perspective from a mix of academic, industry, and consulting experiences. He Read More