Team

Rubén de Jesús has 20+ years of experience in academia and the private sector. In the private sector, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Pahtiā Technologies, a health technology data company leveraging next generation sequencing and artificial intelligence to increase access to targeted therapies for cancer in under-researched populations. He is also a Venture Partner at Valley Capital Partners, an early growth stage venture capital firm in Silicon Valley that invests in Series-A financing rounds of deep-tech startups. In addition, he is Director of Business Development at the Worldwide Water Group, a privately held company bringing technology-based clean water solutions to market. Prior to the private sector, his experience in academia was at the University of Notre Dame where he served in various roles that included: international fundraising, global academic programs, international corporate relations, alumni relations, government relations, international foundation relations, and recruitment. 

Rubén de Jesús holds a Master of Science in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He is also a certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst with the Corporate Finance Institute and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society in 2019. 

An avid linguist, Rubén de Jesús speaks English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, and Italian. In his free time he enjoys competing in triathlons.

Adam brings a diverse 21+ year leadership background within a Fortune 500 Finance company, a Fortune 1000 Manufacturing company, small business, local government, and the United States Army. Throughout his career he has been integrally involved in multinational planning, negotiations, and operations. Furthermore, he is experienced in executing strategic initiatives, strategic sourcing, vendor management, relationship building, strategy development, analysis, and process improvement efforts. With experience in global negotiations and operations with 24 countries, Adam helps founders understand their idea in terms of strategic operations, processes, and planning.

Adam holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University. 

James is the President of Data Connector, a data technology company that uses a no-code pipeline platform to seamlessly move data between software applications. Prior to that role, he was the Associate Vice President for Innovation at the University of Notre Dame, a General Partner at the Pit Road Fund ($23MM Seed Fund), and a mentor to 10 aspiring CEOs. Additionally, James was on the Board of Directors of the following for-profit companies: Tayco Brace, Vital View, Grannus Therapeutics, Aeris Surgical, Lumen Biologics, Patterson Greenfield, Importing Joe's Coffee, Irish Woodworks, and HelloFrom. While at the University of Notre Dame, James helped to set up the IDEA Center and implement its Commercialization Engine, a system to assist inventors and entrepreneurs to successfully start and fund companies. Since the inception of the IDEA Center, 144 companies have been started that have raised $54MM in investment with an aggregate revenue of $31MM.  

Previously, James was at the Technology & Venture Commercialization (TVC) office at the University of Utah serving as the Interim Executive Director, Director Engineering Team, and Business and Technology Manager. He helped to develop and implement a stage-gated, milestone-driven commercialization process called the Utah Model of Commercialization or affectionately called the Commercialization Engine (the precursor to what was subsequently developed at the University of Notre Dame). The system substantially improved both internal and external customer service while increasing the commercialization activity of technologies developed and owned by the University of Utah.

Prior to the University of Utah, James was the Director of Business Development and Director of New Product Development for a chemical company (Frontier Science) and a research reagents company (Echelon Biosciences). In these companies, James released over 200 new products, resulting in an increase of total product offering by 15%, and set up collaborations with over 27 entities. 

James has also helped in the founding of Quansys Biosciences, PetroBio Tech, Energy Innovation Services Inc., Spendlove Medical Research Institute, and Allerief.

James holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Biology from Utah State University and an Associate of Science in Biology from Brigham Young University - Idaho.

José Jonathan brings over 14 years of comprehensive expertise in the corporate hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. His career has spanned a diverse range of responsibilities, including strategic planning, vendor relations, partnership cultivation, operations and logistics, financial oversight, and management of programs and events across numerous global destinations including México, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, France, South Africa, South East Asia, and China. He is a multi-lingual executive fluent in English and Spanish, with additional competencies in French, Italian, and Japanese.

José Jonathan has orchestrated projects for esteemed entities like academia, corporate groups, non-profit organizations and collegiate athletics. The scope of events has ranged from small scale private group programs to developing curated experiences around majors sporting events like the College Football Playoffs and the Aer Lingus Classic. Most recently, José Jonathan was part of the team responsible for developing the bid and business plan for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and helping to set up the operations in Paris.

In addition, as an avid artist and painter, José Jonathan is the Founder and CEO of two5ths art – an innovative venture committed to reshaping societal norms and fostering community well-being through charitable contributions on any artworks sold.

José Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, with a minor in Japanese, from the University of Notre Dame.

Kitty White has a diverse background with experience in sales, marketing, elementary school education, fundraising, and event planning. Most recently, Kitty was Co-Owner and Vice President of Sales for Endow Cacao, an online to consumer small business selling cacao products from Latin America in the USA. The primary focus for Endow Cacao was to support and raise the standard of living for cacao farmers in Latin America. Prior to Endow Cacao, Kitty spent 10 years in elementary education as a substitute teacher at her children's schools. She also chaired fundraising events at several schools and non-for-profit organizations. For example, at Turning Points for Children, a Philadelphia based non-for-profit supporting at risk children and families, she became a board member as well as helped plan an execute their annual fundraiser "Kids at Heart" event. Earlier in her career, Kitty opened new sales channels and managed National Accounts for major publishers such as Simon & Schuster.

Kitty holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Gettysburg College. She also completed a program in book and magazine publishing at New York University. Finding ways to give back to her community and beyond is now Kitty's main focus and she volunteers at a community food pantry "Solidarity" in Atlanta. In addition, Kitty supports several ministries at her Church, Christ the King, in Atlanta. 

Reggie Brooks, a former football All-America running back and graduate from the University of Notre Dame, is the Executive Director of the Holtz's Heroes Foundation. In this role, Reggie manages and advances the Foundation's mission through planning and directing its programming, administration, operations, financial management, fundraising, staffing, marketing, educational programs, and public outreach. He collaborates with the Foundation's Board of Directors, primarily through its Executive Committee, to develop and supervise the Foundation's annual budget, sponsored events, and activities.

Previously, Reggie serves as Assistant Athletics Director for Athletics Alumni Outreach & Engagement with Notre Dame Athletics at the University of Notre Dame. In that role he served as the liaison between the athletics department and athletics alumni, working to increase stewardship and engagement with the implementation of strategies to promote outreach to former student-athletes and other guests of the department. Prior to that he served as the Manager for Monogram & Football Alumni Relations. In addition to his role as Assistant Athletics Director, Reggie served as the sport administrator for the Notre Dame men's and women's cross country and track & field programs. Reggie also assisted Fighting Irish Digital Media with coverage of Notre Dame Football and was a fixture on the Official Notre Dame Football Post-Game Show, as well as other Fighting Irish Digital Media productions.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Reggie played under former Irish head coach Lou Holtz from 1989-1992. Reggie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management Information Systems from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University. 

Catherine is a recognized expert in managing international visitor protocol, facilitating benefactor and donor stewardship, and executing event and protocol management for distinguished visitors and delegations. She has provided protocol and etiquette instruction throughout the USA and managed events and delegation itineraries in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. 

Catherine currently manages in-person events for the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities, supporting the association's mission to bring Carnegie R1 and R2 university leaders together to work collaboratively on the challenges and opportunities for a new model of undergraduate education developed in the Boyer 2030 Commission Report, The Equity/Excellence Imperative: A 2030 Blueprint for Undergraduate Education at U.S. Research Universities. She previously worked as the Director of Protocol, Stewardship, and Partnerships at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to that she was Director of Special Projects and Media Relations for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the 60th Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana.

Catherine became a member of Protocol & Diplomacy International - Protocol Officers Association in 2016 and has served as a Forum volunteer, Member Buddy, Communications Committee Co-Chair, Chair of the 2022 International Protocol Education Forum, and member of the Events Committee and the Select Committee on Professional Behaviors, Ethics, and Responsibilities. Catherine joined the Board of Directors for Protocol & Diplomacy International - Protocol Officers Association in 2020, serving as Vice President for Communications (2020-2022), and assumed her current role as President in September 2022.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master in Nonprofit Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Notre Dame. She also holds a Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University as well as a Sustainable Events Professional Certificate from the Events Industry Council. She is a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington protocol officer training and is licensed through it as an intercultural protocol and etiquette trainer. In addition, she is certified in GlobeSmart Profile and Inclusive Behaviors Inventory through Aperian Global.

Tom most recently spent 5 years establishing and growing a business called Endow Cacao. The business imported cacao from Latin American small farmers using sustainable farming practices to grow high quality fine flavor cacao. Endow Cacao sold to consumers as well as breweries and distilleries. The mission was to help raise the standard of living for farmers by paying premium pricing and positioning a superior healthy and delicious product to customers. Prior to that Tom worked for Asurion, a global leader in technology device protection solutions. At Asurion, he managed and grew high performing sales teams supporting large clients accross all their sales channels. Previous to Asurion, Tom held various leadership roles in marketing, sales, and product management at Comcast, Cox Communications, and AT&T.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University. He has completed additional studies at the University of Virginia's Darden School. Tom has been a guest speaker at technology forums at Southern Methodist University and The Wharton School of Business. He has also been a campus recruiter at Dartmouth's Tuck School and the University of Texas.

Tom is past President of Turning Points for Children, a non-for-profit organization serving at risk children and families in Philadelphia, and served on their board for 12 years. Tom always enjoys working on his Spanish fluency, traveling, watching soccer, and spending time with family and friends.