About IPND

Our Team

Dave Brenner

Executive Director of Innovation Park at Notre Dame

"The mission of Innovation Park is to assist aspiring entrepreneurs to engage the right resources at the right time to transform their new business idea into a viable enterprise. This demands not only a great idea that addresses a genuine market problem, but also the fulltime engagement of a qualified ‘energized’ entrepreneur to lead the effort. The Park is positioned to lend appropriate assistance to the new venture team in this “march to market” through engagement with qualified mentors and other expert sources who have traveled a similar path in the past."

 

Dave Brenner brings over 35 years of experience in leading successful start-up companies, acquisitions, major operational units, and partnerships. His background includes founding and serving as managing partner of IdeaWorks, a new venture accelerator firm in Grand Rapids, Mich., that helps early-stage entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas—especially those related to advanced technology, medical or consumer products—into marketable ventures. Prior to IdeaWorks, Dave worked for Amway Corp., the last two years as founder and president of Amway Ventures, Inc., which developed and rolled out several new business ventures, including OCEAN ESSENTIALS. His professional experience also includes management positions at Kelloggs in the USA and Europe, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and has been active with Notre Dame’s IrishAngels network since its inception. He has also taught entrepreneurship classes in the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Mendoza College of Business since 2005 and has served on many corporate and non-profit boards.

Theresa Sedlack

Private Sector Engagement Director

"I am inspired by the innovators and entrepreneurs working to bring their new discoveries and ventures to market. I hope to support our clients by putting them in meaningful contact with expert advisory support and other resources that can help them navigate the best path forward for their work. I would like to see the University and regional ecosystems grow in their size and ability to support bringing innovations successfully to the marketplace."

Theresa Sedlack brings more than 10 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, market experts, and investors throughout the Notre Dame family. Prior to joining Innovation Park, Theresa served as venturing programs manager for Notre Dame's Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. In this role, she helped create and led many of the major programs in the Gigot Center, including the formation of the IrishAngels network, the annual McCloskey Business Plan competition, and the NASDAQ training program offered in connection with the competition. Her professional background includes eight years working at Procter and Gamble. She teaches the M.B.A. venture capital class in the Mendoza College of Business. Theresa received both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Notre Dame.

Natalie Gunn-Stahl

Facility Manager

"Innovation Park is a resource, designed to engage and inspire creativity by bringing the energy of the marketplace to the University of Notre Dame. Guests to our facility are surprised by the large windows, building design and unexpected modern décor. In my role as facilities administrator, I feel the physical surroundings and general atmosphere need to parallel our efforts to encourage independent thought and collaboration that result in creative solutions to real problems. I enjoy creating a fun and safe place for new companies to face their challenges and providing resources to help them overcome them. In my role I make sure the building functions properly and that clients' basic needs are met. Getting to know the clients and their companies is inspiring and I love to help them connect with each other. I aim to simplify their operational needs so they can focus on their early stage milestones and offer lean operational habits. I like to tell our clients that my role is to make them comfortable, but not too comfortable, as I expect to see them graduate soon! During their stay, I hope they enjoy the cookouts, seminars and other events designed to help them build their business and find our environment welcoming and inspiring. I would like to see the Park as the hub of entrepreneurial activity in Northern Indiana. To become an organic information source for new companies, seeking advice with a desire to connect with colleagues and like-minded team members is a vital resource for new businesses. If Innovation Park can be that hub, not only will local companies feel extra support, I'm confident there will be an energetic undertone to our community."

Natalie Stahl's varied background in creative arts, copywriting, program design and entrepreneurship adds depth and organizational skill to the work of Innovation Park. Before managing her own freelance design business, her background extends to work in local advertising agencies and marketing departments. She received her Bachelor's degree from Indiana University Bloomington in English and recently completed an MBA in Marketing through Walden University.

Kiley Wood

Business Manager

"Innovation Park provides valuable tools and resources to early stage companies so they may grow and build their business. It is exciting to be part of a team that continuously searches and implements different means for companies to become successful. I hope to facilitate the business processes within the Park so the Innovation Park specialists may focus on the individual client needs. I am looking forward to a growing number of companies utilizing the Park's innovative resources to build strong successful businesses within the community."

Kiley Wood brings over 20 years of experience working in corporate accounting and human resources. She received her Bachelor's degree from Indiana University in Accounting and Business Management with a Chemistry Minor.

Mary Baker

Administrative Associate

Mary graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and worked for Dun & Bradstreet for over 15 years. Mary's unique ability to connect with clients and juggle multiple tasks helps create an organized yet energetic entrepreneurial atmosphere. Her personal flair for the dramatic and ability to acquire multiple accents provides all who enter with a cheerful smile and wholehearted welcome.

Connie Varga

Event Planner

"I love the energy and synergy you feel right when you walk through the doors of Innovation Park. I enjoy working on the ground floor and helping build client relationships. I get to see the dynamics of those relationships — the sharing of ideas over coffee — and then those ideas coming to fruition. I hope to make a difference each morning as I enthusiastically greet clients and guests, and as I help bring people together to experience those 'a-ha' moments."

Connie graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., with a Bachelor of Science in Business. Prior to Innovation Park she worked for 18 years at GE Capital ITS Solutions in South Bend, where she grew the business by $20 million in hardware and software, and $4 million in services. Connie has volunteered of her time extensively and currently serves on the board at Stanley Clark School, is a coordinator for Logan's Run, and an MSA soccer coach. Connie treats everyone who enters Innovation Park like a rock star. Her organizational abilities combined with her gift of hospitality make both her colleagues and Park guests feel at ease.

Charles Powell

Client Services Associate

“Innovation Park really is a place ‘where dreams come true.’ Henry Ford said, ‘The poor man is not that one without a cent, but that one without a dream.’ By way of connecting, collaborating, and commercializing, our clients are able to spread their innovative wings and soar to amazingly new heights. The people at Innovation Park are diverse, creative, energetic, optimistic, hopeful, imaginative, and capable of making the impossible – possible! What an incredible environment to work in.”

Charles is a licensed and ordained minister who completed his undergraduate degree at the Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville, Fla., and graduate degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, La., and Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Ga. He has pastored churches throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi for 17 years. While in Savannah, Ga. he founded, organized, implemented, and carried out a church start-up that had over 200 people in attendance on opening day. Charles spent his college years as a radio personality on WVOB & WJED radio out of Dothan, Ala., and went on to found his own local radio program “Biblical Truths” that aired throughout the week on American Family Radio, Mobile, Ala. He has served on various boards and committees throughout church life and has been a guest speaker in many churches throughout the South.