About

Emily Knight Emily Knight is the CEO & President of The Engine, where she is responsible for shaping the organization's strategic direction and building partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions to foster an environment where Tough Tech teams can thrive and innovate. Since 2017, Emily has served in various operational roles at The Engine, including that of COO. Prior to The Engine, she spent time managing general operations, strategy, and product development at Workbar coworking spaces. Emily holds a BS from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.

Ben Downing Ben Downing is Chief Growth Officer at The Engine. Before joining The Engine, Ben was Vice President for New Market Development at Nexamp, a veteran-founded, Boston-based clean energy company. There he led the firm’s strategic development efforts across growing geographies and the firm’s entry into the energy storage market. Prior to this, Ben represented the state's largest Senate district while serving as State Senator for 52 communities in Western Massachusetts. Ben received a BA in Political Science from Providence College and an MA from Tufts University.

Katherine Otway Katherine Otway, Chief Marketing Officer at The Engine, is a marketing executive with over 20 years of building customer-centric brands and driving growth. She served as Chief Marketing Officer at Zapata AI, an Engine Ventures portfolio company focused on generative AI software for enterprises. Her track record includes a decade of designing new ventures at IDEO, advising startups and accelerators on marketing strategy, delivering executive education for Kellogg and Babson, and developing entrepreneurial ecosystems abroad.

Rhett Smith Rhett Smith is the Chief Operating Officer at The Engine, where he oversees the Resident experience across programs, operations, and financing, as well as the day-to-day logistics of the incubator. He ensures teams and departments run efficiently to meet The Engine’s strategic objectives. Before joining The Engine, Rhett was Director of Operations and co-leader at Roxbury Prep Charter School, overseeing budgeting, enrollment, family engagement, and staff culture. He holds a BA in Economics from Sewanee: The University of the South and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Ian Johnston Ian Johnston is the Vice President of Tech Translation and Ecosystem Development at The Engine where he focuses on innovation ecosystem development. Prior to The Engine Accelerator, Ian spent time at Engine Ventures as a Sr. Investment Associate and at Putnam Associates as a Life Sciences Consultant. Ian also worked at the Penn Center for Innovation, assessing technologies for their patent and market potential. Ian holds a PhD in Pharmacology from University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University.

Pat Grospiron Pat Grospiron is Executive Director of The Builder Platform, The Engine's collaboration with the NSF, aimed at catalyzing the development of innovation ecosystems across ten regions in the United States. Prior to joining The Engine, Pat worked in innovation and commercialization for the materials, aerospace & defense sectors. She also has a decade of experience in building innovation ecosystems, providing capital, services, and connections to technology startups to generate impact. She holds a MA in Business from ESC Clermont and a MBA from Cleveland State University.

Kevin Figueiredo Kevin Figueiredo is the Director of Facilities at The Engine, where he oversees the maintenance, safety, and overall operational effectiveness of the The Engine Infrastructure. Before joining The Engine, Kevin held multiple roles in facilities across many different sectors at Genzyme, Vericel, Zoo New England, Harvard University, and most recently Nano-C. Kevin holds a BA in Philosophy from UMass Boston.

Karisa Hanson Karisa Hanson is the Director of EHS & Lab Operations for The Engine where she supports safety, compliance and operational excellence. Before joining The Engine, Karisa held EHS leadership positions within biotech manufacturing and R&D. Karisa holds a BS in Molecular Biology from the University of Connecticut and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

Frances Robinson Frances is the Director of Philanthropy at The Engine, where she leads fundraising and philanthropic initiatives following its recent incorporation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In this role, she focuses on building partnerships that expand support for Tough Tech companies addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Prior to joining The Engine, Frances worked at MIT Solve, where she managed social impact and philanthropic partnerships. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University.

Andrew Takacs Andrew Takacs is the Director of Partnerships at The Engine. In previous leadership roles at Danfoss and Greentown Labs, Andrew managed technology partnerships, conducted due diligence on investment and M&A transactions, secured multimillion-dollar collaborations with industry leaders and universities to advance industrial decarbonization, and helped startups bring emerging technologies to market. Andrew holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and undergraduate degrees in Resource Economics and Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Tara Tatu Tara Tatu is the Associate Director of Laboratory Operations at The Engine, where she oversees the day-to-day management of lab facilities and ensures the smooth operation of research projects. Before The Engine, Tara worked at DermBiont, a topical therapeutic company in Boston focused on treating skin diseases. She began her career performing microbiological and molecular diagnostic assays, as well as general laboratory maintenance. Tara holds a BS in Forensic Science and an AAS in Biological Sciences from SUNY Alfred State College.

Steve Cortesa Steve Cortesa is the Shop & Fabrication Manager at The Engine, where he oversees workshop operations and provides expertise in product development and prototyping. Prior to joining The Engine, Steve supported hands-on education in the mechanical engineering program at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He also has professional experience in product development. Steve holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MA in Liberal Arts in Management from the Harvard Extension School.

Rachael Faust Rachael Faust is the Senior Marketing & Programs Manager at The Engine, where she manages and delivers programs while leading marketing initiatives that improve founder experiences and operational efficiency. Her role spans product marketing, digital, and strategic campaign management. Previously, she was Marketing Director for an Engine Ventures–backed AI startup and has eight years of B2B tech experience in communications, marketing, go-to-market strategies, and project management. She holds a BA in Rhetoric, Communication Studies, and Art from St. Lawrence University

Elizabeth Patterson Elizabeth Patterson is Senior Manager, Partner Engagement & Workforce Development for The Builder Platform at The Engine. She partners with NSF's Regional Innovation Engines to deliver tailored solutions. An economic development strategist, she worked at Brookings Institution and as a freelance project manager for inclusive economies. She holds a BA from Rhodes College and lives in NYC.

Serena Dao Serena Dao is the Resident Development Manager at The Engine and identifies and supports promising Tough Tech startups. With a background in science and a track record of scaling companies from pre-seed to IPO since 2015, she has built transformative ventures in biotechnology, climate tech, agriculture, and healthcare across Boston and San Francisco. Her work at Living Carbon and Ginkgo Bioworks has earned recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, Global AI @ Amazon, and Y Combinator. Serena holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in Chemistry and Physics from Northeastern University.

Jen Gately Jen Gately is a Project Manager at The Engine, where she leads the execution and delivery of programs, events, and strategic initiatives. Previously, she served as Executive Coordinator supporting the executive team and company operations. Before joining The Engine, Jen worked in digital content creation, sales, and household management. She received her BA in Communication with a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Diana Kamau Diana Kamau is the Operations & Community Manager for The Builder Platform, powered by The Engine. She supports the growth of the Tough Tech ecosystem by managing operations and community initiatives across The Builder Platform network. Before joining The Engine, she worked at Genentech, supporting business projects and diversity initiatives. Diana holds a BS in Chemistry from Howard University and a minor in Kiswahili.

Sam Kaplan Sam Kaplan is the Mechanical Engineer at The Engine, where he manages engineering fabrication requests and supports Residents with product development, prototyping, and workshop operations. His work spans at-cost prototyping, in-house tooling, and enabling Residents to move from concept to hardware through consultation, design reviews, and hands-on training in CAD and 3D modeling. Sam was previously a co-op at The Engine and worked in Harvard’s fabrication department. He holds a BS in Robotics Engineering from Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering.

Maxine Bouvier Maxine Bouvier is the Marketing & Programs Coordinator at The Engine, supporting the execution of programs, events, and communications to amplify The Engine’s impact for resident companies and the Tough Tech ecosystem. Before joining The Engine, Maxine created digital content, taught at Cambridge Friends School, and worked as a freelance executive assistant. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a minor in Political Science.

Lina Henríquez Lina Henríquez is a Senior Program Coordinator at The Engine, where she supports technology translation programs and manages strategic, data-driven projects and initiatives. Previously, she worked at StartUP FIU, a university-wide hub that fosters entrepreneurship for students and researchers, and served as an Undergraduate Researcher at the MIT Media Lab in the Biomechatronics and Personal Robots groups. Lina holds a BBA from Florida International University with a dual focus in Data Analytics and Market Research.

Milagros Arias Mendoza Milagros Arias Mendoza is the Events Coordinator at The Engine, where she works with Residents and the broader Tough Tech ecosystem to coordinate and deliver external events hosted at The Engine, as well as programs and events run internally. Previously, she served as the Front Desk & Reception Manager at The Engine and as a Quality Operations Specialist & Receptionist for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Aden Stephens Aden Stephens is a Senior Community Operations Associate for The Engine where they focus on building and maintaining strong relationships between startups in the Tough Tech ecosystem while providing essential operational support. Prior to The Engine, Aden spent time in a variety of customer experience and administrative assistant roles. Aden holds a BS in Computer Science and Human Services from Northeastern University.

Jose Agosto Jose Agosto is a Laboratory Operations Associate at The Engine, where he ensures shared lab spaces run safely and efficiently, managing readiness, cleanliness, and critical lab supplies. He brings over eight years of biotech lab support experience from Vericel Corp and is well-versed in Good Manufacturing Practices.

Aaron Ellies Aaron Ellies is a Facilities Associate for The Engine, where he oversees building maintenance, coordinates with vendors, and ensures that all facilities are operating smoothly to support the company's operations. Before The Engine, Aaron worked for WeWork, JLL, and Smartlabs as a Facilities Associate, gaining field knowledge.

Michael Higgins Michael "Higgs" Higgins is a Facilities Associate for The Engine, where he oversees building maintenance, coordinates with vendors, and ensures that all facilities are operating smoothly to support the company's operations. A graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the University of Notre Dame, Higgs' previous tough tech adventures include multiple Department of Energy Solar Decathlons (winning with Virginia Tech at the European edition in Madrid) and running the monthly Forum speaker series for Boston Area Solar Energy Association.

Annie McElroy Annie McElroy is a Laboratory Operations Associate at The Engine, where she supports equipment, environmental health and safety, and communications for Residents in shared lab spaces. She is driven by a commitment to sustainable solutions, process improvement, and environmental stewardship in service of Tough Tech teams. Before joining The Engine, Annie worked in environmental roles, including sustainable energy advocacy and hazardous waste management. She holds a BA in Sociology with minors in Environmental Studies and Geosciences from the College of the Holy Cross.

Jaye Goldstein Jaye Goldstein is an Executive in Residence at The Engine, where she delivers educational programming, including CEO peer forums, fundraising forums, and management and leadership development. She is also the CEO and Founder of Founder to Leader and has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of education and Tough Tech at organizations including Petri, MIT, and Harvard.

Hemai Parthasarathy Hemai Parthasarathy, Executive in Residence at The Engine, most recently led the Rapid Evaluation team at Google [X]. Previously, she was Scientific Director of The Thiel Foundation's Breakout Labs, a philanthropic program to support scientist-entrepreneurs. She was also a founding partner and CSO of Breakout Ventures. Prior to her work with Tough Tech startups, Hemai was a VP of Scientific Communications at Ogilvy, founding editor at PLOS, and North American editor for the international science magazine Nature. She holds a PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from MIT.