Our Team

Strategic Growth and Innovation

Individuals with experience building, scaling, advising, or investing in high-growth organizations who understand innovation as a driver of economic transformation.  Examples of experience may include:

• Founder, CEO, or executive in a high-growth startup or growth-stage company
• Venture investor, angel investor, or fund advisor with early-stage exposure
• Senior operator in technology-enabled sectors, including advanced manufacturing, outdoor innovation, energy, mobility, health, or digital platforms
• Experience leading organizational scale, talent recruitment, and strategic pivots
• Governance or advisory experience that reflects disciplined oversight and long-term thinking

Artificial Intelligence and Venture Growth

Individuals with deep technical and capital markets fluency in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and venture-scale company building.  Examples of experience may include:

• Founder or executive who scaled a venture-backed startup from seed or Series A through significant growth, exit, or unicorn-level valuation
• Partner, principal, or operating partner in a venture capital or growth equity firm with meaningful early-stage deal exposure
• Deep domain expertise in AI, ML infrastructure, data platforms, robotics, autonomous systems, applied intelligence, or AI-native SaaS
• Experience navigating capital formation, term sheet negotiation, governance dynamics, and investor alignment
• Prior board service where strategy, capital discipline, and long-term value creation were central

The role of a trustee is ideal for leaders who want to volunteer their experience to compound beyond a single company and who believe innovation infrastructure is as important as innovation itself.  A connection to Marquette, northern Michigan, or the broader Great Lakes region is preferred but not strictly required.  A clear commitment to place-based innovation and ecosystem development is essential.

The Board of Trustees is especially seeking trustees who are interested in helping Innovate Marquette:

• Strengthen founder pipelines and executive mentorship
• Expand capital access and investor relationships
• Elevate strategic planning and performance discipline
• Connect regional innovation to national markets
• Support the long-term positioning of Marquette as a durable innovation hub