Innovation Conversations: National Veterans Small Business Week Panel

Presented by the Skandalaris Center

2:00 – 3:00pm – Panel

3:00 – 4:00pm – Networking hour

Join us for an Innovation Conversation panel discussion on translating unique skills to startups and transitioning from military culture to business culture. Panel members include:

• Jennifer Goetz, Vetern Student Services Advisor at WashU – Jennifer serves as the university’s focal point for military and veteran matters, to include transitioning military-connected students into higher education, providing and connecting students with programs and services, and partnering across campus and in the community. She is a career Air Force Reservist with over 17 years’ experience in human resources, business operations, program, and project management, policy development, logistics and executive support. After over 15 years, she transitioned to a career as veteran social worker and founded the Office of Military and Veteran Services. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Virginia, a Master of Education in Education, Culture and Society from the University of Utah, and a Master of Social Work in Veteran Social and Economic Development from the Brown School at Washington University.
• Kellie McCoy, Bunker Labs STL – Kellie is the founder of The Candra Group, which offers customized advisory services to executive leaders, business owners, and non-profit organization. She is co-founder of Upkeep Partners, and the founding City Leader of Bunker Labs STL, a national non-profit supporting veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. She was previously the Chief of Staff to the CEO and Directional Operational Planning at Starbucks Coffee Company. Kellie served over 20 years in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer officer. She graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and holds master’s degrees in engineering and strategy. She is an executive MBA candidate at Olin Business School.
• Jim Phelps, Vice President for Operations at UNCOMN – Jim has been a partner at UNCOMN, LLC since 2012. He is currently managing a portfolio of 28 client projects generating annual revenue of approximately $14 Million. UNCOMN provides services supporting data science, business architecture, system engineering and project management. Since 2007, Jim has provided management consulting services to the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, to St Louis public sector planning agencies and to commercial firms over the past few years. Jim served in the US Army as a career soldier, a joint logistician, operations analyst, and strategic planner. Jim holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Operations Research from Colorado School of Mines, and an Executive Master’s in International Business from St. Louis University. Jim is Past President of the APICS St Louis Chapter and is an instructor for certification of Supply Chain Professionals (CSCP) and Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD).

Moderated by Joe Steensma, Professor of Practice at the Brown School and veteran of the U.S. Army.

Skandalaris Center
Mallinckrodt Rm 128

Open to: All, especially veterans and active military personnel

Registration for this event has ended.