ASCEND Engine

Leadership
Team

Mike Freeman

NSF ASCEND Engine CEO, PI

Mike has 35 years of executive experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors focused on technology economic development, management consulting, entrepreneurship, and finance.​

Kauline Cipriani

NSF ASCEND Engine Chief of Engagement

Dr. Kauline Cipriani is Vice President of Engagement at CSU as well as professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand opportunities for broad groups, fostering welcoming and nurturing academic workplaces, and promoting positive change within institutional systems.

Bryn Rees

Associate Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, Managing Director, Venture Partners at CU Boulder, Co-PI

Over the past 20 years, Bryn has led university initiatives to translate and commercialize research innovations and technology. Together with his team at the University of Colorado Boulder, he works with university researchers and the extended innovation ecosystem to develop entrepreneurs, new ventures, and deep tech innovations.

Betty Cozzolino

Chief Marketing Officer

Betty Cozzolino possesses a decade of digital marketing expertise, encompassing strategy, social media management, public relations, graphic design, web design and event facilitation. A dynamic professional dedicated to elevating online presence, orchestrating successful events, and achieving results.

Mark Gorham

Client Director

With over 30 years of experience in software, Mark Gorham has taken on a variety of top management roles throughout his career. Currently, Mark is a Client Director for thh ASCEND Engine. Prior to this, he served as the CEO of EcoVapor Recovery Systems. At Innosphere, Mark is responsible for providing client support to startup companies, leveraging his extensive experience to foster entrepreneurial growth and deep tech innovation.

Likesha Tillman

Senior Research & Compliance Administrator

Likesha Tillman is the Senior Research & Compliance Administrator for the ASCEND Engine, with extensive experience in leadership coaching, development, and research administration.

Sam Malloy

Director of Research and Development

Dr. Sam Malloy is the Director of Research and Development for the ASCEND Engine. With a background as a data scientist working across the domains of environmental science, public health, and policy, he brings an integrative approach to technical leadership and portfolio management.

Erin Zimmerman

Content Development Specialist

Erin Zimmerman, PhD, combines nearly two decades of experience in technical communications with a proven ability to bridge complex concepts and impactful storytelling. A skilled communicator and strategist, she is dedicated to amplifying voices, advancing community resilience, and delivering results.

Jake Johnson

Research Associate & Events Coordinator

Jake Johnson brings a strong foundation in communication and organization, holding a Bachelor’s degree in English (with a Film Studies emphasis) and Communication from the University of Colorado Denver. As a Research Associate & Events Coordinator for the NSF ASCEND Engine, Jake ensures seamless executive operations and delivers high-impact events that advance regional and national engagement

Tim Jones

Translation Director & Co-PI

Tim Jones serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Innosphere and ASCEND Engine Translation Director leading operational execution, new program implementation and deployment of capital for early-stage venture capital funds. As COO of Innosphere and a partner in multiple venture capital funds since 2019, he has spearheaded the execution of incubator services, winning and managing programs in Climate resilience, Life Sciences, and Smart Cities.

Emily Wilson

NSF ASCEND Special Projects Director

Emily Wilson has 2 decades of experience in external and corporate communications, public relations, grant and non-profit management, outreach activities with partner organizations, economic development, event facilitation, and managing operational activity.

Brian Johnston

Workforce Development Program Manager

Brian Johnston is the Workforce Development Program Manager for the ASCEND Engine, with a background in systems engineering and military leadership, and a focus on advancing sustainability and community resilience.

Amber Rahn

Chief Workforce Development Officer

Dr. Amber Rahn serves as the Chief of Workforce for the ASCEND Engine, where she leads regional strategies to build a robust, future-ready talent pipeline aligned with community resilience and emerging technologies. With a background in leadership development and cross-sector collaboration, Amber drives workforce initiatives that connect K–12, higher education, and industry to ensure equitable access to training, career pathways, and high-quality jobs across Colorado and Wyoming.

Dan Moyers

Accelerator Program Director

Dan Moyers is an accomplished leader with over three decades of experience as an operator at startup and scaleup stage companies in strategic business development, and creating and managing accelerator programs that catalyze commercialization and innovation and leverage public-private partnerships. With a background spanning global technology companies and government initiatives, Dan excels in understanding and aligning stakeholder priorities and driving impactful outcomes. Known for his ability to navigate complex challenges and foster collaboration, he is dedicated to advancing innovation and building solutions that create lasting economic and societal benefits.

Rachel Gallegos

Finance Director

Rachael Gallegos brings nearly a decade of expertise in accounting and finance, with specialized knowledge in grant management and compliance. From managing multi-million-dollar FEMA and state grants during the City of Evans' flood recovery to streamlining in-house accounting operations for the ASCEND Engine, Rachael has a proven track record of precision and impact. A dedicated professional, she is passionate about leveraging her expertise to support communities, foster resilience, and ensure financial excellence.

Erik Mikysa

Corporate Partner Liaison

Erik Mikysa has twenty-five years of business experience spanning from pre-revenue startups to multi-billion dollar multinationals. Prior to joining ASCEND, he held senior executive roles at Hilti Group in both Europe and North America, where he led large, multi-disciplinary teams, and at Abound Solar, where he helped scale global sales. His career began with consulting at The Boston Consulting Group and corporate ventures at Delta Air Lines, and includes several entrepreneurial ventures. Erik was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has an MBA from Stanford University.

Jeni Cross

Director of Co-Creation

Dr. Jeni Cross is an internationally recognized sociologist with over 25 years of experience leading community-based research to drive systems change. She recently retired from Colorado State University, where she was the founding Director of the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences. Dr. Cross leads collaborative research efforts that unite scientists, communities, and industry to co-create impactful solutions for environmental decision making.

GET INVOLVED

Contact us if you:

  • Are the founder of an ASCEND tech company and are seeking assistance.
  • Work in workforce development and are eager to get involved.
  • Represent a potential corporate partner.
  • Are a workforce industry leader and want to get involved.
  • Your corporation is interested in community resilience innovation.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Stay in the know

Get the latest ASCEND Engine news

The ASCEND Engine is powered by

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF. If you suspect fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or research misconduct involving the NSF funded ASCEND Engine, we recommend contacting the NSF OIG online or through the telephone hotline.

Contact

engage@co-wyengine.org
Phone: (970) 295-4481
320 East Vine Drive, Suite 101, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
©2025 Innosphere
All Rights Reserved
Website Design: Toolbox Creative