Principal, TTSE Tech, LLC

Richard Steffens has over 30 years’ experience as a senior government official, diplomat, venture capitalist and entrepreneur supporting innovative companies with growth and global expansion. Prior to founding TTSE, Mr. Steffens served as U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary/Director for Asia (2020-2022), where he spearheaded the investment attraction effort leading to the TSMC $40B semiconductor project in Arizona. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary/Director for Western Hemisphere (2015-2020), where he spearheaded the regional roll-out of the SelectUSA program which attracted $20B in global manufacturing investment in the U.S.

Principal, Quince Street Strategy, LLC

Tripp Hornick is the Principal of Quince Street Strategy where he has developed the business model to deliver success to clients at the advisory nexus of strategy, operational implementation, FP&A, and innovative financing utilizing debt and government grants/incentives. A cross-functional executive with deep expertise in global operations, senior P&L management, technology implementation, and business development, he has been a speaker at US Department of Commerce SelectUSA Investment Summits, advised Commerce at the request of multiple administrations, and briefed the United States Trade Representative.

President and Chief Scientist, Neotericon, LLC

Dr. Mark Banish specializes in nanomaterials and advanced technology. With over three decades of industrial experience, the last two have been spent mostly in nanoscience and developing products based upon it. He was formerly VP-Chief Scientist at Nanocomp Technologies (now Huntsman Chemicals) where he was responsible for the fundamental science of how Nanocomp made their carbon nanomaterial-based sheet and yarns as identifying and proving the links between their unique nanoscale features and the performance of end products. Prior to Nanocomp, he was the director for production and quality for the company's nanomaterial products for Zyvex Corporation, where he managed manufacturing operations and initiated the industry's first supply chain certification process to qualify carbon nanotubes.

CEO, Lakeside 360 Partners, LLC

Bob Render is the president and CEO of Lakeside 360 Partners, a sustainability and recycling consulting firm that develops circular strategies and programs for companies to reduce their carbon impact. This includes incorporating recycled and renewable content in products, feed stock development and preprocessing strategy for advanced recycling, and measuring carbon impacts. Lakeside 360 Partners work with clean tech companies to secure funding and strategy.

Founder, Fulcrum Ventures

Yamilee Bastien has served as the Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassies in Brasilia, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina, and as the Acting Regional Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, where she covered the Andean countries and Panama.  She has launched public-private partnerships and briefed senior leaders across government and industry, including as the Department of Commerce's Liaison Officer to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). In recognition of her commendable service to the DOD, she received the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs' Joint Civilian Commendation Award.