Description
Key Learnings
- Discover the innovation gap between rural and urban areas.
- Discuss the impact rural communities can have on innovation.
- Discover the advantages of rural communities for innovation centers.
- Learn how to partner for positive impact in underrepresented communities.
Speakers
- SJSteve Lawn JrGrowing up an Air Force brat, Steve has been around airplanes most of his life. When he was younger, the easiest (and most cost-effective) way for him to be involved in flying was radio-controlled aircraft. This hobby led to his involvement in unmanned aircraft as a test pilot for a helicopter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) company. That job, in turn, led to finding a unique niche in the aerospace industry: UAS Operations. At the Pendleton UAS Range, Steve is responsible for overseeing the mission control rooms, both fixed-base and mobile. He also helps lead the UAS/Technology incubator housed in the historic WWII hangar at the Pendleton Airport. In his day-to-day work, he uses knowledge that ranges from computer networking, electronics, robotics, virtual reality, and aviation. He also has a passion for passing this knowledge along by hosting STEAM field trips and internships, robotics team mentoring, and community technology workshops.
- JBJuan BarrazaJuan Barraza's experience spans all facets of the startup trenches, as a founder of a Digital Health startup, lead organizer of Portland Startup Weekend Latino, and Founder of Latino Founders a professional organization empowering the next generation of Latino entrepreneurs. His passion for growing entrepreneurs is infectious. Juan believes that entrepreneurship is a great equalizer in society and any individual with an idea or concept and strong work ethic can create a great venture with a direct economic impact on family and community. Juan Barraza is the Director of innovation and Entrepreneurship at VertueLab. In this role, Juan is responsible for envisioning, creating, delivering, and continuously improving upon the support programs offered to innovators and entrepreneurs. He brings in-depth knowledge of strategic planning and implementation of product and services rollouts and has a track record building and leading diverse, collaborative teams.
- AMAlana MongkhounsavathAlana Mongkhounsavath is a Strategic Development Manager for Autodesk Research. She engages with companies to shape projects and research activities within the Autodesk Technology Centers Outsight Network. Motivated by impact and the opportunity to create a more sustainable world, Alana advises on manufacturing and engineering projects. A passionate advocate for innovation, she enjoys collaborating with companies that engage not just in their projects, but their surrounding communities so that their innovations drive lasting, positive change. Alana started her career as a mechanical engineer where she actively led and designed for real-time solutions in manufacturing and future product programs. She finds pleasure in problem-solving for design to make solutions. When not championing innovation, she hikes to find inspiration from nature or volunteers to teach STEAM to engage the next generation of innovators.
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