Executives in Residence
Discovery Launchpad’s Executives in Residence (EIR’s) lend their specialized knowledge and expertise to University startups on a temporary, part time basis. EIR’s engage directly with University of Minnesota start-ups to provide support as they develop their value proposition and business model.
Executives in Residence are generally recruited from the Venture Center’s volunteer Business Advisory Group (BAG), based upon the experience and background needed to support the University’s start-up community.
Discovery Launchpad Executives in Residence
Joel Cannon
Founding Executive in Residence
Joel has 30+ years’ experience as a company founder and leader in software, communications and control and energy technology, having co-founded and grown two notable companies over his career and participated in numerous angel investment, business advisory and board roles.
Joel holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BS from South Dakota State University.
Read Joel’s thoughts on energy, business, and other topics on his blog
Charles Dennis
Executive in Residence
Chuck has over 35 years of experience in technology assessments, intellectual property, licensing, mergers, acquisitions, partnering, and R&D. His work has ranged from providing intellectual property (IP) legal services for jet engines and computer tapes to managing internal and external R&D projects, and negotiating acquisitions, spin-outs and licenses for data storage and medical devices.
Chuck holds a JD from Northwestern University and a BA in Physics from Carleton College.
David Edgerton Jr
Executive in Residence
David has over twenty years of corporate experience and also has served as an adjunct professor teaching information technology, project management and business analytics. With a passion in minority business development, David also facilitates content for the Ascend Twin Cities program in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, the Metropolitan Economic Development Association, and the Carlson School of Management.
David holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University.
See David’s Carlson School of Management profile
Kyle King
CFO in Residence
Kyle has over 20 years of financial and management experience across numerous industries. He started his career as a CPA for RSM McGladrey and then moved into CFO roles with high growth technology organizations.
From there, Kyle has been involved as an advisor and CFO of numerous startups in the energy, consumer electronics, and medical sectors with a focus on business development, financing and capital raise/structure.
Kyle holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Minnesota - Duluth.
Frances McCloskey
Executive in Residence
Fran has over 35 years of experience in finance and accounting involving many industries including consumer products, financial services, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, software, and manufacturing. She provides a technical background in preparing financial models, valuations, and assessing and improving financial performance of organizations. Prior to forming two consulting firms, Fran practiced at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and was a financial analyst at General Mills. Fran is also a licensed CPA and a member of the AICPA and MNCPA.
Fran holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BA in Economics from Middlebury College.
Rebecca Mehrwerth
Executive in Residence
Rebecca Mehrwerth is a commercial leader with more than 20 years of experience building commercial teams and leading product launches in the small, start-up biotech space. Her expertise in developing commercialization strategies for early stage companies has resulted in significant value growth. She has held leadership roles at GSK, TESARO, Celgene.
Rebecca is the current SVP, Head of Commercial for Epizyme, Inc a Boston biotech, and holds a BBA in Finance from Texas State University.
Ann B. Schulte, CFA
Lead Executive in Residence
Ann has over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing corporate, product, and commercial strategies and leading growth initiatives. She is adept at evaluating new business opportunities, monitoring industry trends, and optimizing investment for long-term revenue growth. She has received recognition for mentoring from both the MN Cup and the Medical Industry Leadership Institute.
Ann’s initial foray into life sciences and healthcare services was as an institutional equity investment analyst. She holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BS in Accounting from the University at Buffalo (SUNY).
Martha R. Sewall
Executive in Residence
Martha’s 25 years in medtech product development and global business management have encompassed a range of clinical care areas and therapies with extensive experience in the development of new medical technologies.
Martha also teaches the Value Proposition workshops for MIN-Corps, and now for the new NSF I-Corps Hub: Great Lakes Region, and assesses projects for PDIC (Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium).
Martha holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BS in Zoology from Duke University.