Meet the Experts MENTORING
2020 UP/Start Finalists!
*As a result of new directives released by MICA, the April 14 finale event will transition to a virtual format. Vote for an UP/Start 2020 Finalist to win the $5,000 People’s Choice Award! Online voting from April 14 - 24.
Wendy Bolger, Director, Loyola University's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Wendy Bolger’s career has spanned nonprofit and private sectors, including experiences as an entrepreneur starting her own firm, managing technology product development, and launching new initiatives and teams for nonprofit organizations. At the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, she works with students to develop an innovative mindset, and supports underrepresented entrepreneurs in Baltimore. |
Nick Culbertson, CEO, Protenus
Nick Culbertson is a former green beret and current CEO of Protenus, a healthcare compliance analytics company that uses A.I. to help health systems reduce risk and optimize workflows. Outside of Protenus, Nick serves on the executive board of The 6th Branch, a veteran-led community revitalization organization. Nick attended The Johns Hopkins University and The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. |
Sabrina Dépestre, Director of Marketing & Recruitment, Office of Open Studies, MICA
Sabrina is responsible for creating & executing marketing initiatives for the Open Studies department at MICA to obtain, grow, and retain students for programs ranging from youth art & design classes to professional learning courses. She also serves on the leadership team of the Baltimore Young Professionals community, a thriving network of African-American professionals in Baltimore. Her experience in creating strategic brand campaigns for organizations has allowed her to live her life passion, amplify people, stories, services, and products that not only matter, but also make a positive impact in this world. |
Ken Malone, Founding Partner, Early Charm Ventures
Ken Malone is Co-Founder of Early Charm Ventures, a Startup Studio in Baltimore, MD that converts science to business. Ken and his partner, Kelli Booth, specialize in taking brilliant scientific discoveries made at universities and turning them into companies focused on growth. Ken holds a PhD in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Miami. |
Henry Mortimer, Founder, Mortimer Communications
Henry Mortimer is an entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and storyteller who leverages the power of the written word to help others define and exceed their goals. In 2008, he founded Mortimer Communications Inc. to help growing companies create messaging that is meaningful and memorable by ensuring that the story they tell resonates with their target audience. Prior to founding his company, Mortimer handled marketing, communications, and business development services for a medical education company that helped major pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including AstraZeneca, Glaxo-Smithkline, and Pfizer, share their stories with healthcare professionals. |
Nicole Myrick, Founder, Icosa Apparel
Nicole is an experienced fashion design professional with a demonstrated history of working in the apparel industry. Through a variety of roles she's amassed knowledge in technical design, technical illustration, Adobe Creative Suite, tech pack creation, Gerber Accumark, Marker Making, flat pattern, draping, sourcing, and production management. With a Bachelor's Degree focused on the technical side of the fashion/apparel industry and an Art Minor from Stevenson University, Nicole has been able to successfully consult on freelance projects for local designers and launched her own women's fashion line, manufactured right in Baltimore. Christopher Schafer, Proprietor, Christopher Schafer Clothier
Christopher learned the art of measuring & design to create custom clothing while living in London, a city that had a profound effect on his life. He learned from some of the best clothiers in the world and immersed himself in the English culture. Christopher would frequently visit Savile Row and Jermyn Street to gain ideas and inspiration. The end result was a new style which blends European style and fit with comfort to create clean understated lines. This formula produces fashionable, fitted and comfortable clothing that you will love to wear. This old world work ethic is not going unnoticed, he was voted Baltimore’s Best Tailor by City Paper in 2009, Baltimore Magazine in 2010, Fashion Awards MD & City Paper in 2012, and Baltimore Magazine in 2014. Christopher learned the |
Stacy Stube, Luxury Fashion Designer and Strategic Social Entrepreneur, Owner/Founder, Elsa Fitzgerald
In April 2013, Indonesian American fashion designer Stacy Stube moved to Bali, Indonesia. Influenced by the beautiful artistry and craftsmanship of the island, Stacy went on to establish Elsa Fitzgerald, a modern vintage brand of evening wear that combines the aesthetics of 1920's glamour with traditional Balinese bridal wear. The dressmaker designs between Bali, Indonesia and Baltimore, Maryland USA. Stacy has spent 20-years working in the fashion industry between the USA, Europe & Asia for brands such as Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Temperley London, Heidi Klein, Club Monaco and Hugo Boss. |
Jason Tompkins, Founder/CEO, Jason Tompkins Fashion
Jason is a gifted fashion designer and is currently a freelance fashion stylist working with OneKreate, Under Armour, and 3Clothing. Additionally Jason has worked as a stylist for a number of international publications such as Factice Paris, London Financial Times, Surface Magazine, Archetype Magazine, Models.com, Vestal Magazine, Essential Homme, Success Magazine, and the television show, The Face Holland. His educational background includes a degree in Apparel Technology from Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) and a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in NYC. Most recently Jason received a Certificate of Completion from the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design in London. |