Team

Emily Knight Emily Knight is the President of The Engine Accelerator, 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 Vice President of Public Affairs 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.

Rhett Smith Rhett Smith is the Vice President of Operations at The Engine Accelerator, where he oversees the day-to-day logistics, ensuring that all departments run efficiently to meet the company's strategic objectives. Before joining The Engine, Rhett was the Director of Operations and co-leader at Roxbury Prep Charter School where he oversaw all school operations including budgeting, enrollment, family engagement, and staff culture. Rhett holds a BA in Economics from Sewanee: The University of the South and a MBA from Georgetown University.

Alex Grant Alex Grant is the Director of Programs for The Engine Accelerator. His role is centered on technology translation education and execution from university and national labs to the market via specialized entrepreneurial programs. He also cultivates a vibrant talent ecosystem that ensures a steady flow of talent from universities and industries into Tough Tech companies. Alex started his career in Program Management roles in the IOT industry. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Babson College with dual concentrations in Information Technology Management and Strategic Management.

Conrad Hollomon Conrad Hollomon is the Director of Government Programs at The Engine Accelerator. His role is focused on building public-private partnerships that accelerate the development and deployment of emerging technologies, and executing programs for the Tough Tech ecosystem which support new ventures in navigating the public sector. A former military officer, Conrad previously worked at Unity Technologies and Techstars. Conrad received a BM in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music and a MBA from Boston University with a focus on social impact and organizational behavior.

Ashley Banks Ashley Banks is a Director of Lab Operations and Safety at The Engine Accelerator, where she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the lab facilities and ensuring a safe and efficient research environment. Before joining The Engine, she oversaw Laboratory and Facilities Operations at Qiagen. She also worked as a bat biologist and marine biogeochemist, and at The Smithsonian digitizing SEM microscopy photographs of parasitic wasps. Ashley holds a BS in Biology from Boston University.

Kevin Figueiredo Kevin Figueiredo is the Director of Facilities at The Engine Accelerator, 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.

Hayden McFarlane Hayden McFarlane is the Business Development Manager at The Engine Accelerator, where he focuses on establishing new business, fostering network partnerships, and driving event sales. Hayden began his career in sales in the luxury travel industry and later moved to Panasonic New Zealand as the National Product Training Manager. Hayden proudly represents his hometown of Waitara, New Zealand.

Torrie Lewine Torrie Lewine is the Operations Manager at The Engine Accelerator, where she is responsible for guiding the Community Operations team, streamlining administrative procedures, supporting community programming, and enhancing the resident experience. Torrie has previously held roles including Director of Residence Life at Elms College and Director of Student Wellness and Conduct at American International College. She holds a BA in Mathematics & Educational Studies from Roger Williams University and a MA in Postsecondary Administration & Student Affairs from the University of Southern California.

Tara Tatu Tara Tatu is the Laboratory Operations Manager at The Engine Accelerator, 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 Accelerator, 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.

Steven Vilsaint Steven Vilsaint is a Procurement Manager at The Engine Accelerator, where he oversees the acquisition of technology and materials crucial for accelerating the growth of early-stage startups. Prior to joining The Engine, Steven was a Senior Site Specialist with ThermoFisher Scientific. Steven has a BA in Architectural History and Technology from Bridgewater University.

Robbie West Robbie West is the Laboratory Equipment Manager at The Engine Accelerator, where he manages and maintains specialized lab equipment, directly supporting researchers and their experiments. Prior to The Engine, he worked at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital as a Clinical Engineer. Robbie earned his BS in Biomedical Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Jen Gately Jen Gately is a Community Operations Associate at The Engine Accelerator, where she focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships between startups in the Tough Tech ecosystem. Before joining The Engine, Jen worked in a variety of roles, including digital content creation, sales, and household management. Jen received her BA in Communication and a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Nana Kusi Minkah Nana Kusi Minkah is a Community Operations Associate at The Engine Accelerator, where he focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships between startups Tough Tech ecosystem. Previously, Nana worked as a head photographer for Minks Media. Driven by his passion for supporting communities of color, he crafted marketing and advertising content for black businesses and aided in the promotion of community-based projects. Nana earned his BA in Finance and Studio Art from Boston College.

Mary Kamau Mary Kamau is a Community Operations Associate at The Engine Accelerator, where she focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships between startups in the Tough Tech ecosystem. Before joining The Engine, Mary worked as a project associate at Genentech where she provided critical support for various business projects across the Commercial, Medical, and Government Affairs department. She also provided support to the department's Diversity and Inclusion plan by playing an active role in fostering belonging. Mary holds a BS in Chemistry from Howard University, and a minor in Kiswahili.

Aaron Ellies Aaron Ellies is a Facilities Associate for The Engine Accelerator, 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.

Abby McAuliffe Abby McAuliffe is an Executive Assistant at The Engine Accelerator, where she provides administrative support to the executive team and helps coordinate various company projects. Before joining the team, Abby worked in rights and permissions for textbook publishing. Abby earned a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and a minor in Philosophy from Emerson College.