Jordan Van Slingerland is a rising junior at Georgetown University, where he majors in International Politics, with a concentration in Security Studies. Originally hailing from the “great white north” of Toronto, he now calls South Florida home. Stemming from his lifelong passion for entrepreneurship, Jordan has worked on startup projects in Silicon Valley and across North America. Most notably, in late March of 2020, while in high school, he founded Sentinel Supplies, a distributor of medical-device-certified face shields and PPE resources that specialized in helping essential workers when and where governments were unable to. On Georgetown’s campus, he is involved with his fraternity, Sigma Chi, where he sits as an executive board member, The Philonomosian Society, a literary debate society where he serves as a Deputy Cohort Leader, and various political and activist organizations. He is extremely excited to join and support the NobleReach team!
Avery (she/her) is currently a rising 2nd year Social Impact MBA student at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business in Boston, MA. Prior to pursuing her MBA full- time, Avery spent a year in public service as an AmeriCorps member with City Year and five years in Education Technology sales and customer support. Having spent her career at mission-driven organizations and with a deep passion for using tech to solve societal challenges, Avery looks forward to diving into NobleReach’s work as a Technology Trends and Capital Intern this summer.
In her spare time, Avery can be found training for marathons (NYC 2024, anyone?), researching her next Broadway musical ticket, or planning her next horseback adventure. Having grown up in Warrenton, Avery is looking forward to spending time with her family this summer after many years in Boston.
Ayesha Atif is joining Noble Reach as a Marketing Data intern this summer. She is currently a rising fourth-year student at the University of Virginia. Ayesha is pursuing a degree in Commerce with concentrations in Marketing and IT, along with a minor in Computer Science.
Through her past internships, Ayesha has developed a strong foundation in analytical thinking and creative problem-solving. She thrives on challenges that push her to diversify her perspective and step outside her comfort zone. Ayesha’s passion for addressing global issues that often go unnoticed drives her ambition to work in fields that provide real-world solutions and drive impactful change. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge and contributing unique solutions to make a meaningful impact during her time at Noble Reach this summer.
Lily Cheatham is a rising junior studying International Relations at Columbia University. Her interests primarily revolve around national security and global politics. At school, Lily is the vice president of the pre-professional government and politics society, Pi Lambda Sigma, and she is a member of the sorority Alpha Chi Omega.
In the past, Lily has conducted research on Middle Eastern conflicts with the American Counterterrorism, Targeting, and Resilience Institute. She has also worked on American defense industry research for the International Security Industry Council.
Lily hopes to pursue a future career in the Intelligence Community. She is passionate about identifying and solving issues within our geopolitical landscape and looks forward to working alongside her peers at NobleReach this summer!
Kalise Bradley is currently a Senior at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), pursuing a degree in Marketing with a minor in Sales. Previously, as a Marketing & Communications Intern at Women In Technology (WIT), Kalise played a vital role in expanding the reach of STEM experiences to young students through the Girls in Technology program. She simultaneously dedicated herself to community-focused efforts at the Richmond Election Office, collaborating with her community to encourage voting and outreach efforts.
Growing up in Chesapeake, Virginia, she has always had a passion for art, design, and community involvement. Living near the beach instilled in her a love for nature, which she expresses through her creative projects. A fun fact about Kalise is that she makes rugs, jewelry, and enjoys dabbling in different art forms. When she isn’t busy with school or work, she can be found practicing yoga, taking nature walks, or trying out new food places.
Akash is a highly curious PhD Student at Purdue’s Institute for Innovation Science and Department of Civil Engineering. He is currently working on his PhD Thesis on the topic of Innovation Ecosystems, wherein he brings together ideas from different fields of Innovation Science, Design, Complex Systems, and Semiotics to understand how these systems foster innovation. Akash also works with the Office of Professional Practice in serving as an intercultural mentor to students studying abroad as well as teaching Milestones technical skills modules on Arduino and Electronics.
Prior to starting PhD, Akash completed his MS in Mechanical Engineering with focus on HVAC systems at Purdue. During that time, he worked on Automated Fault Detection and Diagnostics and Developing a Novel Load-Based Testing Methodology for Variable Speed Air Conditioners. Akash is originally from India. He grew up in the city of Nagpur and went to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay for his Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Nadia is a rising fourth year at the University of Virginia majoring in statistics and minoring in global commerce and culture. She will be working as a Data Integration Intern at NobleReach this summer and has previous experience in behavioral biometrics and implementing machine learning models.
Sree is currently the Chief Innovation Officer at the nonprofit NobleReach Foundation, advising that organization on technology, talent, and investment initiatives to support US national and economic security and serves as a non-resident Senior Technical Expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies within their Economic Security and Technology Department. Previously, he served as senior advisor to US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo from early 2021 to 2024, focusing on emerging technology, supply chain resiliency, and industrial policy.
Sree’s achievements at Commerce including developing and facilitating the CHIPS and Science Act and other Biden administration initiatives on semiconductors, supply chains, and critical technologies. He also developed Commerce’s CHIPS strategy and investment thesis to guide implementation of the CHIPS program and helped recruit key leaders to build the CHIPS program office at Commerce. He served as Commerce’s key technology and industrial policy interlocutor with the private sector, national security community, and Congressional leadership and staff.
He continues to advise a wide range of policy and industry leaders on ways to promote, protect, and scale up emerging technologies and industrial investments in the United States.
Sree was formerly a Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Washington DC office and at the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), the non-profit business and economics research arm of McKinsey. In this role he was responsible for shaping MGI’s and McKinsey’s research on trends in global competition, technology disruption, and the forces impacting multinational firms. For more than a decade Sree has researched and written extensively about American manufacturing and supply chains, the impact of deindustrialization on economic and national security, and opportunities to revitalize industrial investment in established and emerging sectors.
Prior to joining McKinsey in 2008, Sree spent nearly a decade in the US aerospace and telecom sectors with roles in engineering and regulatory affairs. He holds three patents, an MBA, and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering and telecommunications.
Amy Vallario currently serves as the SVP, Financial Planning & Analysis for NobleReach Foundation. She is a proven leader with over 15+ years of experience working to bring thoughtful direction and innovation to the Finance organization.
She has found herself at the forefront, driving impactful change and steering organizations towards success. Previously serving as the Director of Finance Operations at SRI International in Arlington, VA, she provided strategic leadership for the Advanced Technology Systems Division, managing a substantial portfolio of complex contracts and grants. She has been a catalyst for organizational growth, collaborating with research teams to develop precise forecasts and operational plans that ensure financial accuracy and viability. Through meticulous analysis and adherence to industry best practices, she navigates the intricate web of financial regulations and policies to safeguard the organization’s interests.
She also held various positions at SRI International, including Senior Project Manager and Manager, IT Applications, where she spearheaded initiatives to enhance financial reporting systems and streamline processes for maximum efficiency. Her journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement. From overseeing accounting operations for a $750M customer group at SAIC to driving innovative solutions for revenue optimization and compliance, her experiences have shaped her into a versatile and resourceful leader in the field of finance.
Beyond the realm of numbers, she remains grounded in the values instilled in her during her formative years. Whether collaborating with cross-functional teams or mentoring aspiring finance professionals, she is driven by a passion for excellence and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in every endeavor. As she continues to chart new territories and conquer new challenges, she is guided by the belief that true success lies not only in achieving financial goals but in inspiring others to reach their fullest potential. With every step, she is committed to leading by example and shaping a future where financial integrity and modernization go hand in hand. Amy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Jessica Knocklein serves as Manager of Academic Partnerships at NobleReach Foundation, where she collaborates with university faculty to develop and implement innovative curriculum that inspires students to pursue careers in public service and mission-driven work.
Leading NobleReach’s Innovation for Impact® curriculum program, Jessica has successfully expanded the course to academic institutions across the U.S. This innovative course enables mission-driven students from diverse academic disciplines leverage entrepreneurial methods to address pressing challenges of national importance. Jessica maintains NobleReach’s network of 50+ university partnerships, identifying growth opportunities while providing comprehensive support to faculty and students through specialized training, curriculum resources, and career development pathways.
At Georgetown University, Jessica serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Security Studies Program, where she teaches a defense entrepreneurship course that connects students directly with Department of Defense stakeholders to develop rapid solutions for emerging security threats.
Jessica brings valuable experience from her previous role at the Common Mission Project, Centers for German and European Studies at Univeristy of Virginia, and the U.S. Department of State.
Jessica holds a M.A. in European Studies and a B.A. in Global Studies with a concentration in Security and Justice from the University of Virginia.
Danielle Holman serves as the Senior Director of Talent Programs, leveraging her experience in talent development and program management to advance the mission of NobleReach.
She brings a breadth of experience in program strategy and operations, talent recruitment, and partnership building between philanthropic, private, and non-profit institutions. In her most recent role as a Director at Schmidt Futures, she built the Quad Fellowship, a joint initiative with the White House to support STEM graduate students in pursuing social impact careers, and advised other talent selection programs. Before Schmidt Futures, she served as the Director of Admissions of the TEAK Fellowship where she developed its talent pipeline for extraordinary students from low-income backgrounds. She also led a youth leadership development program at the Making Caring Common Project and served as an admissions officer at Princeton University. She holds a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a bachelor’s degree in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University.