Titans 2025 Nominees
Each week, we're pulling back the curtain to spotlight the incredible individuals you've nominated for the 2025 Titans Awards. From unsung heroes to industry heavyweights, these are the folks who've truly made their mark. Think of this as your weekly dose of inspiration (and a little friendly rivalry). We can't promise any dramatic acceptance speeches yet, but we can promise to showcase the best of the best, as chosen by you.
Check back each week to see who's in the running for a coveted Titan award. You won't want to miss seeing which of your favorite people—or maybe a surprise contender—is making the list!
If you like or know any of these nominees and want to give an additional nudge of support for these nominees or want to submit your own nominee, head here to submit! The final list of Titan award recipients will be announced in mid-December after committee review and selection has taken place.
What is a Titan?
A Titan is an individual who embodies exceptional leadership and vision, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the Monterey Bay region (Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito County). Many of them have created groundbreaking products, services, or business models that truly make a difference, locally or globally. Some of them have built incredible businesses, and others have helped save them, or push them towards tremendous success!
Please submit nominations by no later than midnight on December 7, 2025 [DEADLINE EXTENDED]. The Santa Cruz Works Board will vote for the Finalists. We will announce the Awardees on January 15, 2026.
Save the Date! 2025 Titans Awards: January 28, 2026
Julie Edwards
-Director, Strategic Educational Options at PVUSD
“Julie Edwards is Pajaro Valley Unified School District's Director of Strategic Educational Options, expanding Career Technical Education and work-based learning. She is PVUSD's point of contact for the aviation-focused Engineering Technology pathway built with Monterey Bay DART and partners including Joby Aviation, the City of Watsonville, Watsonville Municipal Airport, EAA Chapter 119, and TangoFlight. Launching in fall 2025, students will assemble a flyable Van's RV-12 at the airport while learning aircraft maintenance, safety, aeronautical engineering, and flight systems, accelerating progress toward FAA-aligned credentials. Edwards also pushes for equitable paid internships so students can support families while gaining real workplace experience.”
Katherine Isbister
-Professor, UC Santa Cruz
“Katherine Isbister is a Professor of Computational Media at UC Santa Cruz who is leading a team of researchers developing games to help build community resilience in the face of wildfire and coastal flooding risk. The wildfire games have been developed with input from a broad network of community collaborators both in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area, alongside colleagues at UC Davis and UC Berkeley, and can be played here: https://ucsc-wildfire-games.itch.io/. The coastal flooding resilience games include a smart tabletop family play experience that was installed at Santa Cruz's Seymour Marine Discovery Center in May and June of 2025, as well as AR games that will be available for play in 2026. Isbister's Social and Emotional Technology Lab (https://setlab.soe.ucsc.edu/) develops technologies to support people socially and emotionally across a range of platforms (VR, AR, wearables, mobile). She is a titan because she is applying research on human computer interaction to solve important community challenges.” - David Lee
Elliot Weaver
-Paystand, VP of Engineering
“Elliot Weaver should be selected because he has been a foundational force behind Paystand’s success from the very beginning. As one of the company’s first five employees, Elliot helped build the core product from the ground up and has played a central role in shaping its evolution as Paystand has scaled. In addition to driving major architectural and product advancements, he is now leading one of our most important initiatives: integrating AI across the company to make our systems smarter, faster, and more efficient. AI is just one of the transformative projects he leads, yet he approaches it with the same vision, technical excellence, and commitment that define all his work. Elliot is not only an exceptional engineer—he is also an extraordinary leader who empowers his teams, inspires innovation, and consistently delivers results that move the entire organization forward. His impact on Paystand is unmatched, and he exemplifies the qualities of a truly outstanding nominee.” - Alexandra Navarro
Rod Caborn
-Founder, Firstclass Fundraising
“Rod Caborn is a pillar of the Santa Cruz community because he has spent decades channeling his talent, charisma, and boundless energy into uplifting others. A former professional rugby captain turned linguist and entrepreneur, Rod built First Class Fundraising to support schools and nonprofits at a time when they urgently needed help. As a master of ceremonies and professional auctioneer, he has raised more than $25 million for organizations across the region, always bringing humor, heart, and unforgettable style to every event. His leadership extends far beyond the stage: through consulting, advising, and creating innovative programs like FUN-ETICS™, he has empowered countless people and inspired children to discover the joy of reading.
At the same time, Rod’s commitment to service is deeply personal and rooted in family and community. Alongside his wife, Kelly, and their daughters, Cassie and Kenzie, he has modeled generosity, creativity, and compassion in everything he does. His long-standing dedication to the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club, where he has served in numerous leadership roles, embodies the spirit of “Service Above Self.” Whether training for an Ironman, building community events, or championing local causes, Rod Caborn shows what is possible when one individual leads with integrity, enthusiasm, and love. He is, in every sense, a titan of the Santa Cruz community.” - Hilary Bryant
James Mueller
-Founder, Technologist, Bandit Systems
“James Mueller embodies innovation, entrepreneurship and service. A former Navy pilot and certified disabled veteran, he founded Bandit Systems to protect the freedoms and livelihoods he once defended— now preventing crime and trespassing on commercial properties throughout our community and beyond.
Years ago, when a Santa Cruz client asked James not just for video recordings but real prevention of crime and trespassing at his property, James built Bandit’s RealTime Remote Guard Service—a system that combines advanced sensors, cameras, proprietary AI, and trained operators who respond within seconds through a patented speaker. The result: crime and trespassing are stopped before they escalate, shifting security from reactive to truly preventative.
From his early days working out of NextSpace downtown to a recently expanded headquarters on the westside of Santa Cruz, James has grown Bandit Systems year over year, fueled 90% by referrals and a remarkable 96% renewal rate. Their technology now helps communities across California stay safer and more resilient.
But what truly distinguishes James is not only his passion for problem solving, but even more so his understanding and level of care— with his team, his clients and even many people encountered during nightly interventions. Under his guidance, 98% of incidents on Bandit-protected properties are resolved within the first minute and often through respectful, de-escalation-first interactions.
A visionary engineer with a commitment to do right by people, James continues to innovate in ways that make security smarter, more cost effective and more efficient. James is a leader of vision, integrity and impact — and an outstanding candidate for the Titan Award.” - LeBaron Meyers
Dan Halifey
-Board Member, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
“Dan Haifley — Save Our Shores + environmental policy tech. One of the people who built the infrastructure of modern ocean protection. Governance tech is still tech. Total legend.” - Toby Corey
Shreyan Phadke
-CEO, Hotslicer
“Shreyan is just a sophomore at majoring in robotics engineering and already has a successful agency and has started his own startup. He is also the president of the Startup Club. He's one of the most impressive and inspiring people I have ever met.” - Sai Akhil
Maryam Tebyani
-Co-Founder & CEO, Stork Labs Medical
“Maryam Tebyani has emerged as one of Santa Cruz County's most impactful young innovators, bridging the worlds of academic research and healthcare entrepreneurship in ways that could transform lives.
As CEO and Co-founder of Stork Labs Medical, Maryam is tackling a crisis that affects nearly 1 in 3 birthing people in the United States: unplanned cesarean deliveries. The US spends over $65 billion annually on maternity care yet ranks 56th globally in maternal mortality. Stork Labs is developing flexible, semi-autonomous operative vaginal delivery tools using advances in soft robotics to help obstetricians avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. The company has already won recognition from the UCSF-Stanford Pediatric Device Consortium, completed the NSF I-Corps program, and is building momentum toward clinical validation. As a woman in engineering, Maryam recognized a unique opportunity to apply her robotics expertise to a field that has long been underserved by technological innovation.
This year alone, Maryam has been a co-author on multiple high-impact publications advancing bioelectronic wound healing technology. Her work appeared in Scientific Reports (November 2025), npj Biomedical Innovations, Advanced Materials Technologies, and Communications Biology. She was instrumental in developing the "a-Heal" smart bandage system that accelerates wound healing by 25% compared to standard care, a device that combines AI, machine learning, and bioelectronic drug delivery. She designed key components of the PDMS devices and contributed to animal studies validating these life-changing technologies. Her doctoral research at UC Santa Cruz, completed in 2024, focused on flexible robotic systems and bioelectronic devices for drug and small molecule delivery.
Maryam's journey reflects the best of what Santa Cruz's innovation ecosystem can produce. She came to UC Santa Cruz as an undergraduate, conducted research at NASA JPL and NASA Goddard, studied soft robotics at Ritsumeikan University in Japan, and earned her PhD while co-founding a startup that could revolutionize women's healthcare. Her work is published in journals like Soft Robotics and Advanced Materials Technologies. She holds patents for multi-material flexible robotic systems and bioelectronic wound care devices.
What makes Maryam exceptional is her ability to see opportunities where others see obstacles. When she attended a medical device workshop in 2017 and noticed that cutting-edge robotics were being applied almost exclusively to endoscopic procedures, she asked: why not childbirth? That question has become a company, a mission, and potentially a revolution in how we approach maternal health. She represents the future of healthcare innovation in our region.”
Matthew McKown
-CEO, Conservation Metrics
“Matthew McKown has combined his scientific training, leadership skills, and very grounded approach to using machine learning and data science to enable environmental conservation teams to rigorously evaluate how well their interventions are actually working. In 2025, despite the significant headwinds pushing against his team at Conservation Metrics, Matthew has navigated his team of scientists, engineers, and analysts and through the rapid decline in federal funding for environmental work. While Silicon Valley is frothing with excitement over advances in modern machine learning, Matthew and his team have already been using machine learning in very practical and effective ways to enable better bio-diversity and bio-cultural monitoring for their clients for over a decade. He not only keeps up with the latest tech, but applies it to create immediately impactful solutions to tackle meaningful problems in biodiversity.” -Leila Takayama
Mircea Teodorescu
-Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering & Co-Principal Investigator of the UCSC Genomics Institute Braingeneers
“In November 2025, Nature published a feature article titled "The computers that run on human brain cells," profiling the cutting edge of biocomputing. At the heart of this emerging scientific revolution is Professor Mircea Teodorescu and the Braingeneers team at UC Santa Cruz. His work represents nothing less than the convergence of biology and engineering that could reshape how humanity approaches computing, healthcare, and our understanding of the brain itself.
This year alone, Mircea has been part of major multi-institution collaborations…He serves as co-PI on a $1.9 million NSF EFRI grant to test whether brain organoids can learn, reason, and solve problems in real time. He is also a key team member on a $12.3 million CIRM grant investigating the genetic roots of autism using brain organoids, with $4.1 million flowing to UC Santa Cruz. Additionally, he contributed to a $1.8 million UCOP grant through QB3 for autism spectrum disorder research. These are not incremental advances. They represent fundamental questions about cognition and consciousness being explored right here in Santa Cruz County.
His lab has also delivered immediate impact on human health. In September 2025, UC Santa Cruz announced his team's "a-Heal" device, a smart bandage that uses AI and bioelectronics to accelerate wound healing by 25% compared to standard care. The device, developed with DARPA and ARPA-H support, integrates a miniature camera, machine learning, and bioelectronic drug delivery to personalize treatment in real time. For veterans and patients in remote areas with chronic wounds, this technology could be life changing.
Beyond his research achievements, Mircea has shaped the next generation of innovators in our region. As my undergraduate advisor at UC Santa Cruz, he introduced me to the intersection of robotics, VR, and rehabilitation that became my career. He mentored me and my co-founders through years of research that inspired Immergo Labs, and he continues to advise our company today. Ash Robbins, my fellow Forbes 30 Under 30 Healthcare honoree, will complete his PhD under Mircea's guidance as well. Through his lab, Mircea has launched multiple students into careers spanning academia, startups, and industry…
Professor Teodorescu is not simply advancing technology. He is asking fundamental questions about what makes us human, while simultaneously building solutions that improve lives today. That combination of vision and impact makes him a true Titan.”
Ash Robbins
-Co-Founder & CTO + AI Research Scientist, Immergo Labs, Inc. & UC Santa Cruz
“Imagine a world where lab-grown brain neurons can learn to solve complex physics tasks, where science-fiction concepts like Cyberpunk 2077's "Braindance" begin to materialize in a UC Santa Cruz laboratory (following the true Cyberpunk lore). Now imagine that same person simultaneously building AI that empowers physical rehabilitation clinicians to heal patients across any distance. That's Ash Robbins.
In 2025, Ash accomplished what most researchers spend entire careers chasing. As first author, he published "Goal-Directed Learning in Cortical Organoids", demonstrating a first example of living brain tissue learning to solve tasks, literally teaching lab-grown neural networks to play the classic "Cartpole" balancing game through reinforcement learning. This isn't incremental science it's foundational work that could reshape our understanding of biological intelligence and neural computation. He also contributed to groundbreaking research published in Nature Neuroscience that used optogenetics to control seizure-like activity in human brain tissue for the first time where this work could revolutionize epilepsy treatment. His scholarship spans over twenty peer-reviewed scientific publications, multiple patents, and open-source tools that democratize neuroscience research for scientists worldwide…What makes Ash extraordinary isn't just his technical brilliance…it's his ability to bridge two worlds that rarely intersect. By day, he's growing neurons that learn. By night, he's building systems that help veterans and rural patients access quality rehabilitation care. He embodies what a true Santa Cruz Titan should be: a researcher who advances human knowledge while simultaneously deploying technology that improves lives today. His work at the Braingeneers represents the future of computing his work at Immergo represents the future of healthcare. And he's doing both, right here in Santa Cruz County, at 28 years old. I’m proud to be working with this mad scientist who’s changing the world for the better. Suffice to say, I strongly believe Ash Robbins should be a Santa Cruz Titan of Tech.” - Aviv Elor
Sol Lipman
-Founder of Pie Fi
“Sol is an incredibly integrated and selfless member of the entrepreneurial community in Santa Cruz. Taking 25+ years of product experience, he has been a longtime mentor of the CIED Launchpad pitch competition. This last year in 2025, he started Pie Fi, an AI-focused entrepreneurial hub. Not only did he rent out a dedicated clubhouse for the team from his own proceeds, but spent countless hours of his time connecting motivated student builders to the right resources.
He has also played a vital role in the growth and retention of members at the UCSC Startup Club, bringing in mentors, co-hosting events, and even providing pizza at a heavily discounted rate during every club meeting.
Without Sol's support, the rapidly growing student entrepreneurship scene at UCSC would be nowhere near where it is today.
There has been a massive and tangible increase in student entrepreneurial activity in Santa Cruz in 2025, which directly contributes to the growth of the city, and for this reason Sol is qualified to be a Santa Cruz Titan.”
Titan Award Recipient 2017
Ian Utile
-CEO, ÂTTN.LIVE
“Ian Utile is a local from Santa Cruz that has launched 10 startups with two of those companies he co-founded achieving nine figure valuations. People love working with Ian because they feel inspired by his enthusiasm regarding the potential of technology and automation. He co-produces global innovation events like CES, Voice AI, NFT.NYC, and WEB3AI. Last year, Ian was honored at The Global AI Council by receiving the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his thousands of hours of international non-profit volunteer service. He regularly guest lectures at half a dozen universities and has been an Entrepreneur in Residence at four different organizations. Ian's family has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for ten generations as his ancestor founded the City of San Jose 1777. Ian currently lives in the Capitola Village with his loving wife and their three active sons.” - Riza Utile
Clement Gires
-Flight Research Project Lead, Joby Aviation
“Clement is a visionary multidisciplinary engineer. He thinks from first principles and applies creative solutions to challenging problems, and pushes his teams to iterate faster than many believe to be possible. His ability to take learnings from one area (say the truss structure of bridges) and apply it to to aircraft design is remarkable. He is absolutely unafraid to try to new ideas quickly and see what works. Finally, he is relentless at modelling quickly concept systems to drive decision making. He is a unique and remarkable local engineering gem and a Titan for sure!” - Joshua Resnick
Firouz Vafadari
-CEO & Founder, Light Links Inc.
“Firouz Vafadari should be selected as a Titan for his visionary engineering and exceptional entrepreneurial drive in pioneering Wi-OW™, an Optical Wireless Communication technology that is fundamentally redefining the limits of wireless data transfer and fueling the next generation of AI and immersive technologies…A seasoned entrepreneur and Ph.D. researcher, Firouz has a track record of success, having previously founded two other IoT and networking companies. His exceptional ability has been formally recognized by the U.S. government, and he has been nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30, underscoring his early and significant impact on technology. He possesses a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, serving on the selection committee for UC Berkeley's SkyDeck accelerator. Firouz founded Light Links in Silicon Valley to introduce Wi-OW (Wireless that AI demands), a patent-pending optical wireless communication (OWC) technology that delivers fiber-optic performance over the air. He has strategically built a formidable executive team, including former top-tier talent from Qualcomm and experienced VCs, ensuring Light Links is poised for rapid commercialization and widespread adoption…Firouz Vafadari's achievements in 2025 demonstrate his status as a Titan who is not only innovating but actively creating the necessary infrastructure for future high-bandwidth applications…In 2025, Firouz established Light Links as a "Top Startup to Watch," recognized for developing Wi-OW™, a technology that is 10 times faster than Wi-Fi 7. Wi-OW™ achieves this by seamlessly integrating proprietary diffused laser beam technology with existing Wi-Fi protocols, offering gigabit-speed, ultra-low-latency, and crucial non-line-of-sight connectivity—a monumental engineering feat that overcomes the limitations of traditional optical and RF wireless solutions. This achievement is a direct result of Firouz's deep research background and entrepreneurial risk-taking…Firouz correctly identified that existing wireless standards fall short of the demands of cutting-edge applications like AI, AR/VR gaming, and other bandwidth-intensive experiences. In 2025, Light Links positioned Wi-OW as "The wireless that fuels AI," creating a solution that brings the AR/VR industry "back to life" by enabling experiences previously impossible with conventional Wi-Fi. This demonstrates not just technical innovation, but a market-shaping vision for enabling the next era of digital interaction…” - Alexander Pedersen
Ryan Barlow
-CEO and Founder, GeoPulse Solutions
“Ryan Barlow is the driving force behind GeoPulse Solutions (GPS), a company he founded in 2022 with the ambitious goal of democratizing remote sensing technology. He is a highly accomplished engineer and scientist, specializing in Systems Integration, Engineering, and Data Analytics, with a distinguished career that includes groundbreaking work at institutions like QinetiQ and Corning Incorporated. This background provided him with intimate knowledge of advanced remote sensing technologies, including satellite payloads, drone imaging systems, and laboratory instrumentation. Recognizing significant gaps in the industry, namely the high cost and complexity of scientific-grade equipment, Ryan refocused his career in 2025 to make a tangible, positive impact on the world through accessibility. He has cultivated a unique and resilient company culture at GPS, built on strong personal ties and a shared passion for their mission, emphasizing technology ethics and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices…Ryan Barlow’s leadership in 2025 has been nothing short of transformative, positioning him as a true Titan of industry and positive change:
Disrupting the Industry with Cost-Effective Technology: In 2025, Ryan spearheaded the development and planned release of cost-effective, scientific-grade hardware and software designed to fill critical accessibility gaps in remote sensing. This initiative is directly challenging the status quo, making advanced scientific tools available to a far broader range of users, from academic researchers to commercial developers who were previously excluded due to prohibitive costs. This is not merely a product launch it's the creation of an entirely new market for applications development.
Commitment to Ethical Growth and Societal Good: Ryan has embedded a unique, powerful, and necessary vision into GeoPulse's core values: technology ethics and ESG practices. He has committed the company to actively reinvesting capital into areas of crucial importance, specifically scientific education, ethical journalism, and climate change advocacy. In 2025, this commitment moved beyond rhetoric, with GPS actively building commercial and academic partnerships aligned with these values, proving that a company can be both commercially successful and a powerful force for social responsibility.
Fostering Community and Education: Under Ryan’s direction in 2025, GPS did not just sell hardware, they accelerated applications development and built the foundational ecosystem necessary for community growth. This included developing scientific tools, application-focused software, educational resources, and an online user community. By focusing on support and community cultivation, Ryan is ensuring that the technology's impact is maximized, facilitating growth in both the user community and the underlying technology itself…” -Alexander Pedersen
Eric Stanfield
-President, Rope Partner, Inc.
“Eric is the president of Rope Partners, the company that keeps America’s wind turbines operating in top condition using advanced rope-access and mountain-climbing techniques. He’s built a high-performance organization that blends technical precision with a culture of safety, professionalism, and real environmental impact. Under his leadership, Rope Partners has become the go-to specialist for turbine maintenance at scale, helping major operators extend asset life and maximize clean-energy output. Eric exemplifies the kind of innovation, grit, and execution that defines the Santa Cruz Works Titans of Tech.” - Bates Marshall
Holger Schmidt
-Founder, Fluxus
“He's brilliant. One successful spinoff under his belt, the next will be even better. You can ask him about his next startup. The way he measures tiny amounts of protein, RNA, RNA from living tissues is really amazing. Has enormous potential in diagnostics and life science research.” - David Haussler
Jon Sisk
-Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer at West Coast Community Bank
“Jon Sisk…is a trusted leader with nearly three decades of experience shaping the future of community banking in Santa Cruz County. A Bay Area native who made Santa Cruz his home 37 years ago, Jon has built an enduring legacy of service, innovation and economic growth…
Jon’s commitment to impact reaches far beyond the financial sector. He actively serves on boards and advisory committees for organizations that strengthen the fabric of Santa Cruz County, including the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Diocese of Monterey, Dominican Hospital – Dignity and Santa Cruz Board Riders Club. He is a member of the Santa Cruz Business Council and Cabrillo College Foundation President’s Circle, and his leadership has touched countless lives through philanthropy and civic engagement. A former president of Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary, Jon co-founded the “Jon and Ken’s Most Excellent Adventure” bike ride—now the Sunrise Rotary Ride—which has grown into a major fundraiser generating $250,000 annually for local youth programs. His efforts also helped bring the Santa Cruz Warriors NBA G-League team to the community through his work on the city’s Blue Ribbon Committee.
Jon’s contributions have earned him widespread recognition, including being named Man of the Year by the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce in 2009. Today, his influence continues to shape a stronger, more vibrant Santa Cruz County, making it a place where businesses, families and innovation thrive.
Jon Sisk is more than a banking leader—he is a catalyst for progress, a true champion of community and a Titan!”
Robert Hymes
-MYNT, Chief Development Officer
“I have had the pleasure to work with Rob on two EV Charging Projects in CA.”
Rob Roskopp
-Founder of Santa Cruz Bicycles
“Rob Roskopp has shaped Santa Cruz culture and global action-sports innovation for more than four decades. From his early days as a professional skateboarder to co-founding Santa Cruz Bicycles, Rob helped build one of the most respected mountain bike brands in the world. His commitment to design, performance, and pushing boundaries transformed a local startup into an industry leader and elevated Santa Cruz as a hub for outdoor innovation.
Today, Rob continues to influence the future of the outdoor and action-sports industries. He serves on multiple boards, including Specialized and MERGE4, providing guidance grounded in decades of leadership, product expertise, and brand-building experience.
Beyond business, Rob has always given back—supporting action-sports development, and community initiatives throughout Santa Cruz. He has quietly mentored the next generation of founders, athletes, and creators, leading through action rather than recognition.
Rob Roskopp is exactly the kind of leader who defines what it means to be a Titan: innovative, impactful, community-minded, and committed to building things that last.”
David Deamer
-Emeritus professor of biomolecular engineering at UCSC
“David is known for inventing nanopore sequencing technology, which led to the development of a hand-held device for genetic sequencing that can be used in remote locations.
His work has been instrumental in the field of membrane biophysics. He is founding partner for UpRNA, a startup company here in Santa Cruz which has the goal of transcribing base sequences from short DNA templates to RNA. Dr. Deamer is also recognized for his research on membranes and RNA formation in shallow water environments, advancing new theories on the origins and processes of life in the universe.” -Nada Miljkovic
Tahra Goraya
-President & CEO, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)
“As president and CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), Tahra Goraya combines visionary leadership and bold thinking with pragmatic intelligence to catalyze positive change in our region. Championing regional leadership, Goraya leads MBEP initiatives which are improving digital opportunity, jumpstarting affordable housing, and positioning the region to embrace and attract opportunities for high-growth sectors.
MBEP’s work in securing a $7.45 million California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative grant supports development of an FAA-compliant, multi-airport flight corridor network. The California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI) will be transformational for a region already at the forefront of innovation in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVOTL) aircraft and drone technology, charting a clear path forward for how we can embrace the full AAM potential of the Monterey Bay, close crucial infrastructure gaps, and bring the kind of jobs that will help our regional economy thrive.
Goraya co-led creation of the Monterey Bay Tech Hub, which builds upon regional momentum supporting workforce training and regional infrastructure needs of the eVTOL and hydrogen-fueled aircraft sector.
Under her leadership, MBEP also secured the first new Economic Development District (EDD) designation in California in 15 years, streamlining access to significant federal funding and opening doors to opportunities for innovation and investment…”
Maggie Nixon
-Co-founder of Versa Vascular & Capstan Medical
“Maggie recently co-founded 2 startups simultaneously - each disrupting the med tech space and have each raised over $100M in venture funding by tier 1/world-class investors and well on their way to disrupt incumbents/legacy tech.” - Alexi Sevastopoulos
Kristen Brown
-Executive Director, Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
“Kristen…is a proven, high-impact leader who is transforming economic collaboration and business engagement throughout Santa Cruz County. In 2025, as the newly appointed Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, she immediately began strengthening the Chamber’s role by launching the 2025 Membership Survey to gather real-time input from local businesses and using that feedback to enhance programs and services. She also initiated regional partnerships, including a leadership visit to San Luis Obispo, to bring best practices and new relationships back to Santa Cruz County’s business community. Kristen’s leadership is grounded in deep public service experience, having served eight years on the Capitola City Council, two terms as Mayor, Chair of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, and President of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments Board, where she advanced key transportation and economic development initiatives…” -Yvette Brooks
Felipe Hernandez
Supervisor for Watsonville
“Felipe shows care for beyond his critic,. He is caring for all people. Shows interest for any problems.. Always congenial even if I am not in his district.. Generally a great person.”
Charles Pasternak
-Artistic Director, Santa Cruz Shakespeare
“…Charles has proven to be a visionary leader whose impact on the Santa Cruz community extends far beyond the stage. Under his guidance, Santa Cruz Shakespeare has dramatically expanded its educational outreach, pursuing the ambitious goal of giving every high school student in Santa Cruz County the opportunity to experience live theatre.
Charles spearheaded the creation of a touring troupe that brings professional performances to schoolchildren across the region…making the magic of theatre accessible to thousands of young audiences…Under his leadership, the company’s festival offerings have expanded from three productions in 2023 to five planned for the 2026 season, along with a Christmas holiday production and a springtime show. Each additional production creates meaningful local employment opportunities, as well as internships and apprenticeships for emerging artists and artisans throughout Santa Cruz County.
Perhaps most importantly, Charles has achieved this growth while deepening Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s commitment to inclusivity and gender equity in casting and staffing across all areas of production.
Artists are too often overlooked in conversations about innovation, yet Charles Pasternak exemplifies how visionary leadership in the arts can generate profound economic, cultural, and social benefits for a community… “ - Amy Gardner
Marcella Gomez
-UC Santa Cruz, Associate Dean for Diversity Equity and Inclusion Baskin School of Engineering and Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics
“Marcella Gomez is redefining what it means to be a tech innovator in Santa Cruz. As a UC Santa Cruz professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Baskin School of Engineering, she combines world-class research in harnessing the power of the natural world with AI-driven control strategies that span from wound healing to cell-based therapies. At the same time, she is deeply committed to empowering local students and communities. Through Girls in Engineering, the SciAI Pathways Program, and her mentorship of first-generation scholars, she is building an inclusive tech ecosystem that starts in Santa Cruz and reaches the world. Marcella’s work shows that here, innovation and equity grow together — and that Santa Cruz is where global breakthroughs, both technical and societal, begin.Marcella’s work proves that in Santa Cruz innovation and equity grow together, and that Santa Cruz is a place where global breakthroughs both technical and societal begin.” - Marco Rolandi
Judson Ward
-CTO and Founder, Ohalo Genetics
“In 2019, Jud Ward left his career as Lead Scientist at Driscolls Research and Development to start a new kind of plant breeding company. Recently out of stealth mode, his company Ohalo Genetics located in Aptos, has grown with 100s of millions of dollars of venture capitol to employ 40 people locally, received multiple patents, and are posed to change plant breeding forever. Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding™, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. Jud is a scientific titan in our community doing complex, ground-breaking science in a field that helps to define our county. The son of a butcher and baker (sorry, no candlestick maker) he has followed a passion for plants straight to the cutting edge of genetics and is helping to define our region as one of technological innovation.”
Stephanie Sumarna
-EdTech and Innovation Coach, Santa Cruz County Office of Education
“…Stephanie’s community contributions are both practical and visionary. She provides hands-on professional learning for educators, including post-COVID support on distance learning, collaboration, and engaging instruction—work she has discussed in local public media to amplify resources for our schools. She also helps run creative, student-centered initiatives and programs, giving young people authentic ways to create, communicate, and interact with technology in meaningful and engaging ways…
Stephanie helps lead county efforts like AI Explorers, which invites teachers and community partners to explore responsible, equity-minded uses of AI in classrooms…Her leadership also extends to the broader regional and state educator networks. She serves on the Monterey Bay CUE (MBCUE) Board, frequently shares classroom-ready practices, and presents at statewide conferences (including Spring CUE), bringing back ideas and partnerships that directly benefit Santa Cruz classrooms.
Stephanie has been an exceptional advocate for women in STEM, providing educational activities such as TechGirlz coding playgrounds and AAUW TechTrek all-female Engineering summer camp. She envisioned and created the now-annual HERStory event, honoring women who have made a lasting impact on Santa Cruz County—past, present, and future...” - Elizabeth Shaw
Tammie Weigl
-Director of Information Services, County of Santa Cruz
“I've nominated Tammie for the past several years and I'll keep doing it till she's recognized. As Director of Information Services in Santa Cruz County I can quite literally think of on one who has done more for advance technology access in our region than Tammie. She defines Titan of Tech. For many years she has been a wonderful partner in expanding broadband access. When the pandemic hit she partnered with Cruzio to champion our Equal Access program and bring direct funding that established dozens of new affordable internet distribution sites. Not only that, she's a wonderful person, a joy to work with and will be sorely missed when she retires to spend more time with her beautiful grandson. Honor her now!” - James Hackett
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