Our Team

NDUBISI OKEKE, Venture Manager

Before Collab, Ndubisi earned his master’s degree in business administration and public health at Yale University; working in global health policy, and business ecosystem analysis during his time of study. Before that, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda working on country-wide projects focused on public health education and practice, strengthening health systems, and local small business/non-profit development. He is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and is looking forward to learning and supporting the New Haven Community.

Cindy Dayana Rodriguez, Business Operations and Communications Associate

Outside of Collab, Cindy is a graduate student at Quinnipiac University, studying Business Administration and Finance. Cindy actively volunteers for the New Haven Hispanic Firefighter Association. She has over 6 years of experience working in corporate, government, and non-profit sectors — with specialized skills in administrative management, finance, program coordinating, communications and relationship building.

Tea mONTGOMERY, Program facilitator

Creative entrepreneur, experience curator, teacher and taste maker. Tea Montgomery is the owner of Threads by Tea, a lifestyle brand creating wearable art, body care and home products. Born and raised in New Haven, his mission is to inspire and empower others to live up to their own potential. As an all-around creative, he started with classical training in music as a youth, and has been able to explore his creativity through visual arts, music and event production, cooking and creative writing. He is interested in anything that entails taking an idea and bringing it to fruition. Most recently, Tea was awarded the 42nd Annual Arts Award by New Haven Arts Council for his style and contributions to the community. In September of 2022, he presented his first exhibition, Ethos: A Wearable Art Exhibition, which consisted of three collections taking an introspective view into the characteristics that drive our motivations. 

Board of Directors

Ginny Kozlowski
CEO,
Economic Development Corporation of New Haven

Karla Lindquist
Deputy Director of Transportation, Traffic, & Parking,
City of New Haven

Anika Singh Lemar
Clinical Associate Professor, Yale Law School

Venture Review Board

Genevieve Walker
Chief Operating Officer, ConnCAT

Reverend Kevin Ewing
Founder and CEO, Baobab Studios

Arthur Thomas
Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives and Inclusive Economic Opportunity
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

Ellen Su
Co-Founder, Wellinks
Chief Product Officer, Convexity Scientific

Lee Cruz
Community Outreach Director,
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

Eric Rey
Principal, Potent Perspective
Founder, Sopa! New Haven

Alex Sulpasso
VP, Operations Manager
Guilford Savings Bank