About Us

Kimberly Brennan brings more than 12 years of event planning experience to UIDP. She served as a training specialist and planner for the U.S. Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center and has been an event coordinator for a large health care nonprofit organization. She holds an associate degree in business operations from Columbia College. She enjoys sports and outdoor activities with her family and is an active volunteer in local efforts and in the experimental aviation community to foster STEM education for the next generation.

Mike possesses over 23 years’ experience in higher education as an administrator and researcher with several universities, including the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Maryland System, University of South Carolina, Troy University, and South Carolina State University. Mike was previously founding research director of the IIFRE at the University of South Carolina, where he was a principal investigator involved with several USDA and NSF projects as well as several state agency research proposals. Mike has worked with numerous industry organizations as a university administrator, partnering in several outreach initiatives.

Mike earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of South Carolina and his doctorate from the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech.

Jenna brings a versatile professional background of 15 years in customer service as well as extensive records and project management to her role at UIDP. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from California State University, San Bernardino, as well as a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of South Carolina. She joins UIDP from the South Caroliniana Library at USC, where she worked five years, most recently in archival processing and catalog librarianship. Jenna is passionate about serving in her Columbia young professionals community, books and movies, and Gamecocks sports.

Melissa is the principal of Clio & Associates, a consulting practice that delivers solutions for university-industry collaborations. She has 16 years of experience in university-industry relations, including leadership positions at both Tulane University and the Pennsylvania State University. Melissa has demonstrated experience in using data to make decisions on pursuing “big ideas” with the most strategic industry partners while working across academic and corporate silos to inform and support large-scale initiatives for impact. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and  Spanish studies from Tufts University as well as an MBA with a concentration in international marketing from the FW Olin School of Business at Babson College.

Natoshia has 15 years of meeting professional experience planning and managing small- and large-scale meetings and conferences. Prior to joining UIDP, Natoshia worked as a meeting professional for a large corporation, a consulting firm, a university, and a nonprofit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in executive leadership from Liberty University. In her spare time, Natoshia loves volunteering in the community through various local initiatives.

As UIDP’s special projects consultant, Tamara Hayman Henry is responsible for managing the initiative to aid members in growing their relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Tamara is a certified project management professional (PMP), Lean and Six Sigma Blackbelt and engineer with more than 16 years’ experience in varying disciplines including software and systems engineering, information technology, project management and process improvement. Tamara has demonstrated experience in designing and executing Lean projects that leverage the intersection of technology, strategy, and business to create high–value and high–performing teams. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a master’s degree in technical management from Johns Hopkins University. Tamara is a wife, mother of two, and a classroom speaker for Maryland public schools, and actively participates in several community support activities as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

As the UIDP events content manager, Morgan ensures that all UIDP resources are organized, searchable, and readily available to members through the UIDP website. Morgan, a certified archivist, is a proud Tar Heel, as she earned both a master’s degree in library science and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before joining UIDP, Morgan worked for the South Carolina Department of Archives and History as the Electronic Records Archivist. She resides in Columbia, SC with her husband, Benjamin, and their daughter.

As UIDP’s marketing communication director, Sandy is responsible for planning and executing communication strategy across the organization. She brings more than 20 years of experience in persuasive writing, translational journalism and multi-channel communication to the UIDP team. Sandy has bylined hundreds of articles and reports, specializing in making complex topics accessible to a broad audience. She is a proud alumna of the University of California San Diego.

Mark McGill brings project management experience from seven years in the legal and insurance fields to his role as ERVA program coordinator. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College of Charleston. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors and attending sports events.

Laquita brings more than 10 years of financial and accounting experience in various roles, ranging from financial services coordinator, payment operations team lead, and senior grants accountant. She has been responsible for accounts payable and, receivable functions, financial reporting, grants management, and budgeting. In her role, she provides financial oversight to the organization and grant operations, ensuring the appropriate use and accuracy of reporting. Laquita enjoys listening to audio books, fishing, attending travel baseball tournaments with her son, and watching foreign dramas.

As the membership data coordinator, Lily works with UIDP members and staff to ensure all member information is both up to date and confidential. This ensures the maximum experience for UIDP membership organizations. Before joining UIDP, Lily served in both the public service and corporate sectors in team development and collaboration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and sales from Western Carolina University. Lily is a dedicated military spouse and a proud mom of twins.

Annie brings 10 years of relationship development and management experience to her role as the ERVA events and engagement manager. Prior to joining the team, Annie served in a variety of roles at a large public university, including development, grant management and career services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, marketing and social entrepreneurship from Creighton University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina. In her down time, Annie enjoys spending time with her family, antiquing and a good DIY project.

Rebecca has more than 30 years’ experience in R&D product development and open innovation. A chemical engineer by training, she has directed scientific teams to bring a range of products from concept to commercialization in companies ranging startups to the Fortune 500. Most recently, she served as senior R&D associate for Sonoco Products Company, scouting technology and evaluating performance for more than 200 new materials and processes. She has worked collaboratively with internal and external resources and teams to organize conferences, webinars, and workshops on open innovation topics and brings skills in technology scouting, academic/industry open innovation, contracting, budget preparation, intellectual property, and government grants. Rebecca holds 18 patents (two pending) and has published 13 conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journal articles. She earned her doctorate in chemical engineering from Uppsala University in Sweden and a bachelor’s degree in applied science from Queens University in Ontario.

Rebecca, our operations and HR director, has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate and non-profit relations.  Her expertise covers a wide range of areas, including public relations, human resources and employee relations, event planning, and business and program management.  She earned a master’s degree in leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University.  Rebecca resides in Irmo, SC with her husband, a retired Marine Corps helicopter pilot, and their two daughters.

Lisa comes to UIDP with 10 years of experience in local government, including a background in economic development, higher education, and meeting and event planning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Winthrop University and a certificate in meeting and event planning from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Lisa is a museum enthusiast, avid vegetable gardener, and enjoys taking road trips along the eastern seaboard. She is a Columbia native and resides in the area with her husband and toddler daughter.

Madison is a designer and illustrator from Columbia, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College and received her BFA in graphic design and illustration. In her free time, Madison enjoys creating art, Braves baseball, and listening to true crime podcasts.

As the UIDP membership services manager, Angie ensures that all UIDP members receive the maximum return on their membership investment by leading membership communications including news, benefits and services offered by the UIDP as well as connecting members with other opportunities that arise within the U-I environment. Angie has joined the UIDP team after earning her Bachelors from the University of Pittsburgh specializing in Business administration with a focus in Marketing and Operations Management. Please contact her at angie@uidp.net if interested in learning more about UIDP.

As UIDP’s communications specialist, Jenna supports events, projects, and membership functions by creating engaging video, audio, electronic and print media content. She holds a bachelor’s degree in media arts from the University of South Carolina. In her free time, Jenna enjoys exploring nature, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

As UIDP’s senior project advisor, Kristina manages UIDP’s project portfolio. The portfolio covers a wide array of topics relating to contracting, strategic partnerships, workforce development, and government engagement. For more than seven years, Kristina has worked at the intersection of university, industry, and government. She seeks to identify barriers to cross-sector collaboration and use crowd-sourcing techniques to create solutions and opportunities for lowering barriers and creating a stronger innovation ecosystem. Previously, Kristina held positions with AAAS and the National Academy of Sciences. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland. She also regularly attends association management, project management, and meeting facilitation training. Kristina resides in Vienna, VA with her husband, Ben, and her dog, Vsepr.

Kimberly Walker has spent over a decade in higher education at the University of South Carolina, USC Upstate, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, and the South Carolina Technical College System. Kimberly’s background includes continuous improvement, institutional effectiveness, institutional research, accreditation, and curriculum design. Kimberly earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree in education from Columbia College, and a doctorate in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University. Kimberly resides in Columbia with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to NPR, and spending time with her dog, cat, ball python, and axolotl.

Wendi Yajnik is the global head of academic partnerships and external innovation at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), the innovation and research engine of Novartis. At NIBR, she leads a team focused on accessing innovative, breakthrough therapies through scientific partnerships and collaborations with global academic partners as well as leading educational training programs, including the NIBR summer internship, post-doctoral and post-baccalaureate programs. She also oversees all NIBR donations, grants and sponsorships.

Wendi joined NIBR from Sanofi, where she was the head of R&D transactions in the Global Business Development and Licensing Group. In that role, she led a team responsible for negotiating early discovery research and licensing agreements with academic institutions and biotechnology partners. Prior to Sanofi, she was the executive director of innovation for Partners Healthcare, directing a team responsible for negotiating research collaborations, out-licensing intellectual property to pharma and biotechnology companies as well as start-up formation working in collaboration with the Partners Innovation Fund and venture capitalists. Before transitioning to the business sector, Wendi was an assistant professor of medicine and pathology at New York University School of Medicine focusing on HIV-1 research.

Theresa S. Mayer is the vice president for research at Carnegie Mellon University, supporting the research, creativity and entrepreneurship that drives its mission and working with partners across the public and private sectors to bring the benefits of this work to all of society.

She previously served as executive vice president for research and partnerships at Purdue University, where she oversaw the $670 million research enterprise of the university and supported holistic engagements with federal, industry, and global strategic partners.  Prior to this role, she was the vice president for research and innovation at Virginia Tech. During her 23-years at Penn State University, she served as the associate dean for research and innovation in engineering, the site director of the NSF National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, and a distinguished professor of electrical engineering and materials science.  She is widely recognized for her work in advanced manufacturing of nanoscale electronic, optical, and biomedical devices, which has been supported by the DoD, NSF, DOE, NIH, and industry. Theresa has over 200 technical publications, invited presentations and tutorials, and holds ten patents in these areas. Several of her inventions have been transitioned into commercial and military systems.  She is actively engaged in service to her profession and the nation, including past service on the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, PCAST.  Theresa earned a bachelor’s degree. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech, and master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Purdue University.

Nerissa Draeger is director of global  university engagements at Lam Research, a position she has held since 2017. She oversees Lam’s academic partnerships and strategic research collaborations in pursuit of disruptive and enabling technologies to advance the semiconductor industry. Her leadership is focused on creating diversity in both our technology and talent pipelines to drive innovative solutions for our customers. Nerissa has led various programs since joining the company in 2000; including feasibility of emerging materials and processes, new product development, and strategic business and intellectual property development.

Nerissa’s background is in thin film deposition and she earned her doctorate in materials science and engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her bachelor of science in engineering degree from the University of Michigan. She has authored over 30 patents and numerous technical publications.

Sophia Herbert-Peterson is director of industry contracting for Georgia Tech Research Corporation, the contracting entity for sponsored research at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is responsible for managing all contracting activities, developing and implementing policies and procedures that support the research collaboration process, and developing and deploying strategic initiatives for industry engagement. She is also an active supporter of diversity leadership initiatives on campus, such as Georgia Tech’s Inclusive Leaders Academy and the Leading Women@Tech Program. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Sophia served as a law clerk for the Honorable Earl B. Gilliam in the Southern District of California, as in-house counsel for two Fortune 500 companies, and practiced  at an Atlanta law firm. Sophia earned her bachelor’s degree in international studies and Spanish literature from Manhattan College and her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Carla Leigh is the Cisco research chief of staff and program manager in the Emerging Technology and Incubation group at Cisco. In this role, she focuses on fostering a strong relationship between Cisco’s global research investments and its technology strategy. Her previous roles include leading Cisco’s global intern program, working on Cisco’s global university recruiting strategy and being a systems engineer across data center enterprise sales. Carla received her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with a minor in engineering leadership from Penn State University.