Guidance from Experts: Our Mentors and Board of Advisors
Behind every successful venture at the OSU Advantage Accelerator stands a robust network of mentors and a dedicated board of advisors. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, offering personalized guidance and expert insights that are vital to navigating the complex landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship. Our mentors and board members are committed to fostering the growth of our clients, providing them with the tools and support necessary to transform ambitious ideas into thriving businesses. Engage with leaders in various industries who are eager to help you refine your strategies, enhance your operational capabilities, and achieve your business goals.
Advantage Accelerator Mentors
Chris Adams
Chris is a seasoned technology, media and entertainment executive (Facebook, Amazon, Participant Media), consultant, advisor, Board Member, keynote speaker, moderator with vast international experience (having lived in Australia for 12 years). He has advised over 100 startups, held multiple EIR roles and has deep public market and private company acumen. He specializes in strategic storytelling, Investment Readiness, business development, founder mentoring and pitch coaching.
Jen Akeroyd
Jen Akeroyd, PhD, RN co-founded SUTUREGARD Medical in 2015, completed the Accelerate and Launch programs in 2016, and was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 by RAIN. She enjoys mentoring around issues related to customer discovery, broadly, and, more specifically, medical device commercialization including regulatory issues, and medical device sales and marketing.
Ben Nahir
Ben is a neuroscientist-turned-investor who brings a data-driven lens to early-stage investing. Since 2016, he’s helped deploy over $10M to 60+ startups through TiE Oregon and TiE Global Angels. At Elevate Capital, he’s involved in sourcing, diligence, and portfolio management. Ben holds degrees from Harvey Mudd, the University of Florida, and Portland State University.
Rich Carter
Rich is co-founder and CEO of Valliscor - a pharma-focused, chemical manufacturing company specializing in fluoroalkylation. Rich is also Faculty Lead for Innovation Excellence and Professor of Chemistry at Oregon State University. He was a graduate of the first class of the OSU Advantage Accelerator
Kevin Clark
Dr. Kevin B. Clark, an OSU alumnus and Sigma Xi member, earned his Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from Southern Illinois University in 1999. He develops quantum biomolecular systems for medicine and pioneered neurocybernetic prosthetics for cognitive and emotional therapy. Dr. Clark has held leadership, advisory, and research roles with NASA, NIH, SETI, Google, Stanford, MIT, and others. He has authored 90+ scientific works, secured patents and major research funding, and earned wide media recognition for his contributions to science, tech, and education.
Mary Phillips
Mary Phillips, Ph.D., is Federal Funding Assistance Manager at VertueLab, where she helps early-stage entrepreneurs secure SBIR/STTR funding. With 25+ years in Oregon’s innovation ecosystem, her background spans tech transfer, research development, patent law, and startup leadership. Mary earned her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Imperial College London and is passionate about supporting diverse entrepreneurs in turning STEM ideas into impactful ventures.
Dennis Hruby
Dennis Hruby, Ph.D., is a virologist with over 30 years of expertise in poxviruses and anti-infective research. He is Chief Scientific Officer and EVP at SIGA Technologies and was a longtime faculty member at Oregon State University. Dr. Hruby holds nearly 200 patents and has authored hundreds of scientific publications. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and his undergraduate degree from OSU.
Skip Rung
Skip Rung is the founder and Executive Director of ONAMI, Oregon’s first Signature Research Center, focused on accelerating tech commercialization through startup funding. Under his leadership, ONAMI has backed 60+ companies that have raised over $500M. A former R&D Director at HP, Skip holds BSEE and MSEE degrees from Stanford and serves on investment and advisory boards including NSF SBIR/STTR, Oregon Venture Fund, and Willamette Angels.
Stan Earnshaw
Stan is a technology entrepreneur and OSU alum who co-founded PointCentral, now part of Alarm.com, serving the smart home needs of property managers. He previously led Supra Products, a $150M GE division supporting over 900,000 realtors, and held leadership roles in both Fortune 100 companies and startups. Today, he advises early-stage companies and volunteers with nonprofits focused on career transition and financial literacy.
Candace Petersen
Candace is a business educator and former tech executive who teaches international business and entrepreneurship at OSU and other universities. She previously served as Dean of Concordia’s School of Management and was President of Learning.com. Candace has held leadership roles at InFocus, IBM, and Boise Cascade, and holds a doctorate in Systems Science, an MBA, and dual degrees in math and economics.
Peter Schuller
Peter Schuller is a systems thinker with a background in law, business, and consulting. In 2007, he founded the Institute for Applied Theology and Science to study human consciousness through neuroscience and complexity science. Now a Senior Fellow at the Center for Integrative Research, he creates educational programs and has co-authored several books exploring brain systems and social dynamics. Raised in Beirut and widely traveled, Peter brings a global, cross-disciplinary lens to complex problem-solving.
Dan Whitaker
Dan Whitaker is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, named Benton County Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003. He’s helped launch multiple startups from OSU and UO, raised $45M for a greenfield sawmill, and was a key figure in the Sunwest bankruptcy management. Dan co-founded HotData (acquired by IBM) and was an early partner in Rogue Wave Software, which went public after ranking on the Inc. 500. He remains active in startups, angel investing, and real estate development.
David Smith
David is a former semiconductor executive with 25+ years in the industry and now serves as a TiE Oregon board member and active angel investor. He co-leads the TiE University program, supporting student entrepreneurs across the Northwest. A Bay Area transplant, David has lived in Portland since 2000 and values its collaborative startup community.
Advantage Accelerator Board of Advisors
Allen Alley
Allen Alley is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and public servant with over 30 years of cross-disciplinary experience. He co-founded Pixelworks, growing it into a global public company, and helped scale InFocus into a $250M enterprise. His background spans engineering, marketing, venture capital, and politics—having run for both Oregon State Treasurer and Governor. Known for his “walk across Oregon,” Allen brings energy, curiosity, and a deep commitment to innovation in the state.
Ernie Bootsma
Ernie Bootsma is a partner at the law firm, Ater Wynne LLP, where he represents start-ups and growth stage businesses, in the areas of company formation, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property (copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and licensing). Ernie is an OSU graduate and an active participant in the Portland start-up and entrepreneurship communities. He enjoys the dynamic and challenging work with innovators and entrepreneurs.
Liisa Bozinovic
Liisa Bozinovic is Executive Director of Oregon Bioscience, bringing over 15 years of leadership in the biotech industry. Her career includes senior roles at Polyzen and Biocom Institute, where she advanced from controller to executive director. At Oregon Bio, she leads statewide efforts to strengthen the bioscience ecosystem and support innovation across the industry.
Brentley Bullock
Brent is widely recognized as a leading practitioner in the areas of corporate and securities law, having served as chair of the Business Law Section of the Oregon State Bar. He is also a regular speaker at various professional and industry seminars on topics such as mergers and acquisitions and venture capital and angel financings.
Rich Carter
Rich is co-founder and CEO of Valliscor - a pharma-focused, chemical manufacturing company specializing in fluoroalkylation. Rich is also Faculty Lead for Innovation Excellence and Professor of Chemistry at Oregon State University. He was a graduate of the first class of the OSU Advantage Accelerator
Shawn Donkin
Associate Dean of Research in the College of Agriculture at OSU.
Brady Gibbons
Brady is the Associate Dean for Research and a Professor of Materials Science in the OSU College of Engineering. His research background is around semiconducting materials and microelectromechanical systems, with significant industrial supported funding throughout his career. In his Associate Dean role he regularly interfaces with both principal investigators interested in commercialization, as well as the Advantage Accelerator and their programs.
Rita Hansen
Rita Hansen is CEO of Onboard Dynamics, a startup developed from technology at OSU-Cascades and supported by the Advantage Accelerator. The company, an ARPA-E awardee, lowers fuel costs and emissions through engine-integrated natural gas compression. Rita brings over 30 years of leadership in engineering, operations, and project management across multiple industries and now focuses on startups in the alternative energy sector. She is also an angel investor, mentor, and active supporter of entrepreneurship and economic development in Central Oregon.
Mary Hull
Mary Hull is a corporate and securities partner at Stoel Rives LLP and is chair of the firm’s Technology Ventures Group. Mary represents technology and consumer companies from formation through private financings and mergers and acquisitions. She also represents investors in venture capital financings.
Skip Newberry
Skip Newberry is President and CEO of the Technology Association of Oregon. A former economic development policy advisor, entrepreneur and lawyer, Skip is passionate about working with tech startup founders and helping them to scale their businesses.
Yalda Moshiri
Yalda Moshiri is the OEN Angel Oregon Program Director and a TAO Board Member. Yalda is dedicated to strengthening early-stage entrepreneurs across Oregon. With her experience as an entrepreneur, she is well-equipped to guide and mentor emerging founders, helping them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses.
Rebecca Robinson
Rebecca Robinson is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in higher education including partnerships with industry, economic development, community engagement, and strategic initiatives. She is currently the Associate Vice President for Economic Development and Industry Relations at Oregon State University.