optiMize Mentor Directory
Tips for using this directory:
Scroll profiles and check out the bios of the mentors
Click “contact” below a mentor’s photo to see the ways you can connect
If a mentor has a LinkedIn profile, try adding them or sending them an intro message
If a mentor has a calendar link to schedule a chat, it’s a good idea to email them to give them a heads up about who you are and why you are scheduling a meeting.
All of mentors are excited to connect with the optiMize community!
We encourage mentors to use this directory to connect with one another as well.
Our Mission
We cultivate the optiMize community by bringing people together for transformative education and creating projects that illuminate possibilities. In passionate pursuit of a just and sustainable future, we practice love and care in all we do to help everyone we meet ask themselves, “Why not me?”
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Retired (Ford Motor Co.) Sr. Finance and Strategy Exec. Have loved mentoring with Optimize in previous years and interacting closely with student teams to help them fully realize their visions, goals and objectives. Personally, greatly enjoy travelling, international cultures, reading, movies and sports of all kinds ... particularly tennis.
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A native Michigander who graduated from Wayne State’s Global Supply Chain Management program in 2015 and earned my MBA from Yale in 2022. Before business school, I worked for a Japanese automotive supplier on $30M+ programs, handling cost analysis, international logistics, procurement, contract negotiation, and supply chain strategy. At Yale, I discovered my passion for startups while interning with a robotics company focused on preventing oil pipeline corrosion. After a brief stint in management consulting, I became a financial advisor with Prudential Advisors in Ypsilanti, where I now help entrepreneurs build strong financial and structural foundations for their ideas. Beyond my professional life, I am a lifelong Eagle Scout, a former operatic tenor, and an avid dog lover with endless stories to share.
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I’ve spent my career in consumer goods (CPG or FMCG). I’ve worked for food, nutritional supplements, apparel, and furniture companies in the areas of finance, supply chain, strategy, operations, and commercial partnerships (sales & marketing). I understand how products are made and what it takes to sell them across different channels like D2C (eCom) or in Retail stores.
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Finn (they/them) is a Two-Spirit writer and storyteller with a long history of leadership and mentoring. They are focused on activism, community building, and volunteer work when not spending time with their two and four legged family or seeking the closest beach. Finn strives to be insightful, empathetic, and quick witted for excellent comedic timing because who doesn't love a good laugh?
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Jack Griffin is the Founder & CEO of FoodFinder, a nationwide nonprofit whose website and app help people find their closest food pantries. Once an optiMize fellow himself, Jack’s commitment to hunger relief began in high school and continued through his studies at the University of Michigan. Since graduating, his food pantry locator has guided 3 million Americans to food aid, and in 2022 he was named Forbes 30 Under 30 for social impact. Outside of work, Jack is always happy to swap recipes, talk basketball, or share favorite spots in Ann Arbor!
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I'm currently the Managing Director, Marketing & Campaigns for the Environmental Media Association. I have over a decade of experience with marketing, social media, branding, events, media, and influencer marketing. My speciality is marketing for environmental and entertainment companies.
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Kirsten is a UMich alum and former optimize Lead Team member. She currently resides in New York City working as a Creative Strategist at an ad agency and has experience in Marketing, Branding, and Creative Development. Outside of work, Kirsten is an avid crafter and has explored everything from leather craft, sewing, scrapbooking, and more.
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Most startups fail not because they can’t build, but because they build the wrong thing—on the wrong foundation. Startups don’t just need code, they need clarity.
Without experienced technical leadership, early-stage companies face bloated architectures, costly rebuilds, and hiring decisions that don’t scale.
That’s where I come in.
I’m a fractional CTO and product-minded technologist with a track record of helping early-stage startups ship fast, hire smart, and scale sustainably.
✅ Led platform and cloud strategy for a global smart device brand (2M+ devices shipped)
✅ Helped YC-backed and venture-funded founders architect and launch successful MVPs
✅ Scaled software orgs from solo devs to full-stack teams across multiple domains
I specialize in:
✦ Early-stage product architecture and platform design
✦ Startup hiring strategy and technical due diligence
✦ Founder coaching around tech planning and prioritization
If you’re a founder looking to build smarter and not just faster, let’s connect! -
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Manager and operator of various entertainment and beverage spaces over 15yrs. Currently GM at the Last Word. From coffee shops to 5k person concerts. 2nd generation in the music space
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This will be the 4th time I will be mentoring with optimize. I am from India and have been a teacher for 21 years and a Principal and Director for more than 2 decades. My experience with students of all ages has helped me in all the mentorship programs. At present I am a Board member of the Senior centre in Seattle and help plan fundraising activities.
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Chris Powers spends his time building companies & communities that connect people together for the public good. He's been a long-time lover of nature and has started & helped a number of organizations focused on circular economies & land stewardship. Right now he's focused on building Advocate as a platform to connect households in need with community resources. When Chris isn't starting or building companies or volunteering in his neighborhood, he enjoys time w/ friends & family, reading, playing games, going for long walks, swimming and paddle boarding.
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My name is Hien (like the ketchup with the z) Lam, the Chief Prophecy Fulfiller at Huck Finch - an oddball design studio focused on unapologetic websites for brands that demand attention - and Grabbag Studio, where we create strategically designed websites for startups who are here to chew gum and kick ass. We're also launching Grabbag Website, our free splash page builder for super early stage startups who need to look legit yesterday.
Born to refugee parents who fled the end of the Vietnam War, I grew up in San Jose, California. Before attending the University of Michigan, I spent a year in Aachen, Germany as an exchange student. After earning my bachelor's, I went on to complete my Master's in Healthcare Administration from Saint Louis University and spent a couple of years working for the St. Louis VA Health System. My zigzagging path to design was anything but predetermined - healthcare administrator turned accidental designer - yet it's this unconventional background that shapes my approach to creative problem-solving.
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Microbiologist and all-around nerd who enjoys science communication. Has worked at different start-up companies in the biotech/medtech space. Love helping STEM projects and education projects especially.
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Joe Sipher started his career helping two nascent startups grow into multi-billion-dollar public companies (Palm and Handspring). Next, he founded two profitable mobile app companies that generated over 200M downloads. Joe has held various VP and C-level positions in both product management and marketing for tiny startups to public companies. He holds 26 patents related to mobile technology, wireless communications, and user interface design.
Joe's next big thing is HealthScout, an AI-power app that empowers patients with their own health data to navigate the complexity of today's healthcare system.
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I'm a passionate HR professional who enjoys learning people's stories, and strives to leave them better than I found them. Particularly, I love all things organization, emotional intelligence, planning/process-building and coaching. When I'm not being an unconventional HR-lady, I practice Indian classical music, take in my surroundings on long walks, try out new recipes from various cuisines (it's giving authentic but egg-eatarian!), and read books (yes, audiobooks count; yes, my to-be-read list is ever-growing)! I am also an amateur crocheter and exploring my (light) green thumb.
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8+ years in health tech product. Really interested in solving the right problem and testing quickly. In my free time, I love cooking/baking, ashtanga yoga, and playing with my cat Finn.
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Embracing and thriving Life's journey with passion and purpose
I have had the privilege of working in different sectors in different cities both in India and USA. Banking, that led me to Sales in IT Training and IT Engineering solutions .My next job was always different from my previous one.
And then, as life unfolded Teaching and Learning - A journey of discovery and learning - I am a #michigancertifiededucator
Beyond the classroom When I am not teaching, you can find me spending time as a mentor with optiMize program
Apart from all this, I am also passionately curious about culture, their food and tradition. I am obsessed about whys and how’s of it.
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Tianyu is a triple Wolverine (undergrad, master's, and current staff) who works as a Business Intelligence Analyst on the Integrated Data Services team at the Office of University Development (OUD).
She is more than happy to share her two cents on data analysis, data visualization, and general fundraising. As a member of the 2021 Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ELP) cohort, Tianyu can speak to the entrepreneurial ecosystem at U-M and direct students to relevant resources. She has also served on the e-board of several student organizations and launched two student organizations at U-M, and is glad to share her experiences with founding student orgs as well. -