Our Team
Cynthia A. Phillips, PhD
Co-founder
Phillips is an economist, writer, producer and social entrepreneur. She serves executive teams at game changing companies and organizations as a strategist as well as an innovation, risk management, data science, and marketing expert. She is the founder of The Disruptive Factory, 22nd Century by Design and The Disruptive Quarterly. Phillips is an award-winning writer and producer of social impact media and film who believes sharing our stories can change the world.
Marie Studer, PhD
Co-founder
Marie Studer is a scientist with a passion for connecting people with meaningful and creative explorations of the world that are relevant to them and our future. Her career has focused on public accessibility and understanding of science through government and public policy positions, to scientific and education leadership for international citizen science projects, to engaging formal and informal educators and youth in biodiversity learning using hands-on and online resources and tools. She is especially interested in creating awareness and action around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Demetrio Cuzzocrea
Chief Maketing Technologist
Demetrio has decades of experience in the interactive and entertainment industries and possesses rare equilibrium in left and right-brained thinking. Provides cohesive strategy and execution leadership in the latest digital technologies, including traditional software development, gaming, media production and animation - as well as cutting-edge AR & VR solutions. Marvel Comics, Facebook, Netflix, AOL, RIM, Disney, Hughes Telematics, the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Music, Reuters America.
Paulette DesCoteaux
Advisor
Paulette DesCoteaux has over 25 years helping companies maximize their use of technology. As an EARTH ADVOCATE, Paulette is newly focused on sustainability initiatives – helping to find new ways to deliver environmental and social change while improving profitability. Paulette is a technology veteran with deep experience across industries and technology solutions — leading and directing enterprise technology teams for Tier 1 companies in addition to evangelizing bleeding edge technology and concepts for early-stage companies.
Charlie Scott
VP Project & Innovation Management
Charlie Scott is a product leader and technology strategist with over 60 granted patents. He has created and implemented award-winning enterprise solutions for AT&T in wired/wireless networking, satellite TV, and intellectual property monetization, in addition to founding a mobile gaming company. Charlie is an engaged leader who guides cross-functional teams to exceptional results. He has extensive experience working from concepts and business cases to finely tuned offerings with scalable processes to achieve explosive growth.
Andrew R. Falcon
COO of Innovation Hubs
30+ years experience as an industrial operating company CEO in both established and startup environments. Working across multi-national markets and sectors, he specializes in rapid scale-up and turnaround of mid-market operating companies, along with commercialization of sustainable technology startups. He has deep experience in multimedia, food, environmental lab and CPG packaging, as well as plastics/chemicals, waste valorization, biomaterials, food systems, circular economy solutions, and international project development. Andrew’s early career experiences in fossil-fuel dependent, linear-economy businesses informed and catalyzed his commitment to new business models and products that promote circularity and sustainable change at the systems level.
Shafik N. Bahou
Sr. Program Manager
Shafik Bahou is a creatively analytical entrepreneur with experience leading cross-functional teams in designing, developing, and selling digital product solutions for EdTech, FinTech, Media, and Blockchain. His formal education in Behavioral Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences in Education from Northeaster and Columbia University, respectively along with his work in startups and Deloitte Consulting in Strategy & Analytics gives him an eye for detail in developing matrix organization plans, devising nuanced educational blueprints, and leveraging technology to automate process and performance metrics with a mission for human development.
Hannah Tolksdorf
Program Manager | Assistant to Dr. Cynthia A. Phillips
Hannah’s passion for the arts, environment, and social justice has been the underlying theme of their work and life. As a high school student, Hannah founded two environmental activist groups. At UC Berkeley, Hannah’s love of art inspired them to pursue a BA in Art History, with a focus in pre-Columbian Art and Artifact, and a minor in Art Practice, in the medium of pen and ink, while playing Wing for the Cal Women's Rugby team. Go Bears!
The universe brought Hannah and Dr. Cynthia A. Phillips, Co-Founder and CEO of 22nd Century by Design, together one day in the best little cowboy steakhouse in Arizona. Since then, Hannah has been working for Dr. Phillips on many projects that will have a great and positive impact on the world and its future.
More Info
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