Jesse Goldstein

Assistant Professor of Sociology, VCU Sociology

Jesse Goldstein is an assistant professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University. His new book, Planetary Improvement: Cleantech Entrepreneurship and the Contradictions of Green Capitalism (MIT Press) offers a critical assessment of entrepreneurial approaches to addressing environmental problems with new technologies. A new research project looks at student entrepreneurship in the university setting. He teaches courses on environmental sociology and political economy, and is involved in a range of artistic and activist projects.

Stephen Fong

Associate Professor of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, VCU Engineering

Dr. Stephen Fong received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego and joined the faculty at VCU in 2005. His research group focuses on utilizing microorganisms to produce chemicals (e.g. biofuels) and he has started the SustainLab at VCU that focuses on developing and implementing systems that affect quality of life.

Bert Green

Founder of SolarMill

Bert Green is the Founder of SolarMill, a sustainable manufacturing company that runs all its machinery completely off grid with energy harvested from the Sun. They produce a line of eco-friendly housewares and home decor as well as developing new technologies in the renewable energy sector.

Adarsh Ramakrishnan

Head of product at Archbolt

Adarsh is a partner and head of product at Archbolt, a Brooklyn-based product shop. His experience as both a founder and a consultant has given him a unique perspective on how the interplay between product design and managing people, resources, and timelines. He is also adjunct faculty through the VCU Da Vinci Center where he teaches engineering design to students from non-technical majors.

William Benton

Entrepreneur

Dr. William Benton is a researcher of the social infrastructure of innovation and entrepreneurship. From the Middle East to the Midatlantic, he is interested in understanding and solving the human organization puzzles inherent in tackling complex problems

Kelsey Steenburgh

Coordinator of External Affairs

Kelsey Steenburgh has been at the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation since April 2017 and has worked at VCU since 2011. As Coordinator of External Affairs for da Vinci, Kelsey works with external stakeholders in the community to build and foster collaboration as well as create opportunities to engage and develop students professionally and within the innovative and entrepreneurial landscape.

Andrew Green

Capital One

Andrew Green leads the Capital One Environmental Sustainability Offices which is responsible for the environmental