Team
Crafting Unity: Meet the Team Weaving VAM’s Global Tapestry
Student Teams
2023-2024
The Pitch Team
Paulette Velazquez
Enactus President & Strategic Visionary
Ensures that VAM's mission and business model are aligned with goals and objectives of the university.
Takudzwa Mugwisi
Lead Project Manager & Artisan Ambassador
Leads the pitch team with strategic insights and a compelling vision.
Christopher Rogers
Lead Technical Officer & Digital Marketplace Architect
Spearheads the development and enhancement of VAM's online platform, ensuring it is user-friendly, secure, and innovative.
Sean Seigal
Sr. Market Analyst & Brand Evangelist
Specializes in market trends and consumer behavior, focusing on how artisanal products resonate with global markets and ethical consumerism.
Parker Muhlenbeck
Lead Financial Strategist & Investment Attraction Specialist
Focuses on analyzing VAM's financial data, crafting detailed financial projections, and demonstrating the fiscal health and investment appeal of VAM.
Lizangelys Polanco
Sustainable Growth Planner & Financial Sustainability Architect
This role is central to devising a growth strategy that marries financial viability with VAM's mission for social and environmental sustainability.
2022-2023
Faculty Sponsors
Empowering Artisans, Educating Leaders: Faculty Sponsors Shaping Tomorrow’s Global Marketplace
Dr. Kim Pichot
Artisan Education and Skill Development Program Mentor
Dedicated to the growth and empowerment of VAM's artisans, this specialist oversees educational initiatives. They design and implement training programs in business literacy, product development, and quality control, fostering the artisans' professional growth.
Armand Poblete
Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives & Artisan Relations
Leading the charge in integrating business acumen with social impact, this faculty member champions the development and operational success of VAM. They facilitate student engagement, spearhead project-based learning, and ensure that VAM's mission aligns with sustainable and ethical business practices.
Derill Legoh
Web and Social Media Technology Strategist
This critical technical position underpins VAM's connection to the digital world. The Web and Social Media Technology Strategist oversees the technical aspects of the online marketplace, ensuring a seamless, user-friendly experience that aligns with VAM's ethical ethos.
Sheila Synder
Marketing Advisor
Her role is crucial in shaping the brand voice and outreach strategy of VAM. The Marketing Advisor brings expertise in consumer behavior, branding, and campaign management. They mentor students and artisans in crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences, driving awareness and sales.
Betty Gibson
Enactus Liaison
Serving as the bridge between VAM and Enactus, an international nonprofit organization that encourages entrepreneurial action for social impact, the Enactus Liaison fosters collaboration on projects that enhance VAM’s mission.