Our Team
Doug Erickson
Doug Erickson is the Executive Director of Santa Cruz Works and the founder of the Santa Cruz New Tech MeetUp. He has 30 years of executive level positions in companies such as Live Picture, WebEx, Cisco, SugarCRM, and Nanigans. He is also the co-founder of CruzHacks (HackUCSC) one of the largest hackathons in California. On any day when there is good surf or wind, you can find him surfing or kitesurfing.
Malina Long
Malina Long is the Director of Operations at Santa Cruz Works, where she ensures the seamless function and growth of the organization's high-impact programs and events. As a proud UC Santa Cruz alumna, former Executive Director of Your Future Is Our Business, and the daughter of Cambodian refugees, Malina approaches operations with both creative problem-solving and deep community commitment. She spends her free time enjoying the outdoors through snowboarding, hiking, and camping, and relaxing at home with her husband, Angel, and cat, Leche.
Malina will be on maternity leave from the end of February 2026 to May 2026.
Michael Ashley
Michael Ashley (Mash) is Santa Cruz Works’ Accelerator Director. For three years, he launched and led SpartUp—the San José State University, Incubator—building it from scratch into a thriving innovation hub where he personally mentored over 300 startup teams and helped launch over 30 new ventures. Mash also serves as faculty in the College of Business at SJSU, where he has taught operations management and entrepreneurship since 2018, known for his practical, hands-on teaching style. Before SJSU, he spent over a decade in Silicon Valley advising and operating within series-stage startups, where his experience led to meaningful outcomes, including an IPO and an acquisition, and earlier he founded his own startup, which was acquired in 2012. Outside of work, Mash loves golfing, water sports, and making an annual escape to Baja.
Alex Lund
EXCEL Program Business & Communications Assistant Intern
Alex Lund is an undergraduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Literature with a History minor. Graduating in 2026, she is passionate about communications and is the New Media Director at UC Santa Cruz’s campus radio station, KZSC. In her free time she enjoys spending time at the beach, kayaking, and exploring new places.
LeBaron Meyers
Santa Cruz Works Board Chair. LeBaron Meyers has had an eclectic career in investment management, radio and digital media/tech. She specializes and consults on business development, effective leadership and strategic communication. Her passion for the intersection of tech & humanity mirrors her love of business & yoga.