Stuart Aller is a patent agent working out of Coughlin Law Office, LLC in Sabetha, Kansas. Coughlin Law Office focuses on business and intellectual property law. Stuart Aller has the privilege of working with Daniel Coughlin (Patent Attorney) and Jodi Roth (Legal Assistant). Stuart became registered with the US Patent & Trademark Office to practice patent law in 2020.

Stuart is a graduate of Kansas State University (B.S. in Life Sciences and Natural Resources & Environmental Science). Having a multidisciplinary background, he has enjoyed serving in various capacities from teaching science as a teacher with USD #415, serving as a scientist with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and fighting wildfires as a wildland firefighter with the Mid-Plains Interagency Handcrew. Stuart and Amanda (his lovely wife) stay very active with their three children, Madeline, Marshall, and Maylie.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been curious about human potential. I wanted to know, what exactly is it that makes people happy, successful, and creatively fulfilled? Born in Mexico, raised in Chicago, and rooted in Topeka, I have had the privilege of helping create some of Topeka’s iconic restaurants and small businesses. I believe in challenging the status quo and creating not what we already have but what our city needs.

Karl Klein is the Regional Director of the Washburn University Kansas SBDC. He began his Washburn career in 2009, advising out of the Outreach Center in Manhattan, Kansas, covering Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, and Marshall Counties. Before arriving at Washburn, he owned and operated hardline retail stores selling and servicing a wide variety of products in western Kansas. The stores successfully transitioned in 2007 and 2008. Karl is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and a Certified Valuation Analyst.

Amanda Burkardt has a passion for innovations in science and technology, and desires to discover, develop, and fund products that will “Turn Research into Return”. In addition to having over seven years of laboratory experience in various scientific fields, Amanda holds Masters degrees in Animal Molecular Biology, Business Administration and Management Information Technology from the University of Oklahoma where she worked with the University to spin-off a startup company based on her research. Leveraging her experience and immense multi-national networks, she has started consulting with other scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators in evaluating technologies for start-up opportunities as well as the creation, protection and commercialization of intellectual property. Amanda is currently working with a large network of angel investors in the Midwest, scouting for innovations and innovations and disruptors in the life science, animal health and agriculture industries. She has consulted with the largest companies in these industries and is frequently showcased in industry events, media and reports.

Michael Odupitan, CEO and President of Omni Circle Group – a Topeka based collaborative workspace provider for the personal and professional development of members, dedicated to creating a community that achieves success while building environmental sustainability. 

A one stop-community hub offering holistic approach to supporting BIPOC communities, Omni Circle supports its members through a combination of programs that connect people, foster collaborate to empower each other and create new idea and future leaders for tomorrow. 

Michael is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida and relocated to Topeka in 2002 to attend Washburn University. Worked 17 years in social services before taking the leap of becoming a social entrepreneur. 

Glenda Washington came to GO Topeka in October of 2013 as the Vice President of Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development. Glenda oversees entrepreneurial and minority business development programs for Shawnee County. She is also responsible for managing the Topeka/Shawnee County First Opportunity Fund, LLC, a micro loan program for entrepreneurs.

She has 24 years of providing services to and advocating for small businesses. Prior to joining GO Topeka, Glenda worked with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce (Jacksonville, Florida) as the Director of Small and Minority Business Development and Senior Director of Economic Inclusion. She also served as the Procurement and Technical Assistance Center manager. Prior to leaving Jacksonville, Glenda was the Director of Multicultural Accounts for Visit Jacksonville.

Glenda received a Bachelor of Science in Workforce, Education, and Development from Southern Illinois University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix. Glenda recently received a DEI Certificates from Northwestern University and the MUMA College of Business at University of South Florida.

Glenda is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, Regional Leadership Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Political Leadership Institute. She has also graduated from the Economic Development Institute and attended Chamber Leadership Institute.

Glenda was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the KFMC Health Improvement Partners. She has been active on the boards of Johnson Branch YMCA, First Coast United Way, Jacksonville Urban League, and Duval County Communities in Schools. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Topeka YWCA. She is also an active member of the LINKS, Incorporated, one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations providing programs focusing on Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services. Glenda has received numerous accolades for her service. These include the UNF Small Business Development Center Advocate of the Year and Jacksonville MED Week Advocate of the Year Awards.

Bradley is a local entrepreneur that has nearly a decade of experience founding, joining, and growing numerous companies throughout different industries. Currently, he is pivoting his work at Hopper Design Works, his wood product/home goods manufacturing company, into Love Lifesciences, a medical injection device startup that he co-founded in 2020. Bradley enjoys using technology and machinery to bring his ideas to life and gets great fulfillment from helping people with the products and services he creates. 

As a financial advisor, I serve individuals, families and business owners. Together, we develop and implement comprehensive wealth management strategies as we strive to help clients succeed financially.

I understand your financial needs are multifaceted and can even be complex at times. I have the skills, resources, and experiences needed to help you navigate your financial journey. All while ensuring you understand what’s needed for investment management, borrowing and liability management, non-portfolio risk management, as well as trust, estate, and fiduciary services.

I am a graduate of Washburn University with a degree in Finance and Economics and maintain a strong commitment to on-going, advanced training. I believe having a strong academic background enhances my ability to be an effective financial advisor, enabling me to better serve you.

The most important skill I bring to the table is my ability to listen to your needs with sincere and genuine interest. I keep your goals and preferences top of mind at all times. I listen to understand your current situation, your past financial experiences, and your goals for the future. I create for you a private and confidential listening space for discussing often complex, stressful and personal subjects around money and its purpose in your life.

I am a devoted husband to my wife Emily, and a proud father to our two sons, Ethan and Owen. I served in many leadership roles in multiple Topeka-area charitable organizations including the Topeka Community Foundation, Chamber of Commerce for the Greater Topeka Partnership and currently as a Trustee for the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation. I am encouraged by the constant reminders of how important and impactful our work is to our clients, their families, and our community, now and for years to come.

Ms. MacKinnon holds an Executive MBA from University of Missouri and a B.S. from Kansas State University. She serves as a Growth Strategy Consultant for early stage, high growth technology companies and leads her own early stage venture of SoulFire Health, a content platform in healthy nutrition and healthy activity. MacKinnon’s “roll up your sleeves” attitude was formed by the work ethic of a family-owned, Kansas farm, but her varied interests in business are uniquely her own.

As Founder/CEO of BeyondNow Technologies, Inc, a high-growth, health tech business, MacKinnon achieved greater than 50% annualized growth for nearly a decade. MacKinnon led the strategic acquisition of BeyondNow by Cerner Corporation in 2003. MacKinnon continues her work as a business consultant with high growth, health-tech and tech-enabled services businesses. Throughout her career, MacKinnon demonstrates the ability to strategically assess the environment and internal organization capabilities, develop competitive strategies to strengthen market positioning and implement go-tomarket plans, including key strategic partnerships.

Recently, MacKinnon served as a content reviewer for the HIMSS2020 Symposia, as a mentor for Guidewell Health Innovation Challenge and a member of Springboard Women’s Health Executive Committee. She places an emphasis on women-led companies, targeting innovations in the healthcare and lifecycle needs for women and their families. MacKinnon has co-authored “If I Were An Only Child…”, highlighting the challenges of today’s aging demographics, healthcare and the demands on family resources. MacKinnon has won numerous awards and was recognized for her business achievements as a Smithsonian Laureate, Deloitte Fast 50, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, and Healthcare’s Best in KLAS.

Nadia Arbelo, Adviser for the Manhattan Outreach Center, has been promoted to Assistant Director for the Kansas SBDC at Washburn University. Nadia will join Karl Klein in the Topeka office to drive entrepreneurial impact for Topeka and the 12-county region they serve.

As the Assistant Director for the NE Region and Business Advisor for the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSSBDC) Nadia is excited about the collaboration and synergy this opportunity brings. Nadia worked in a similar role with Western North Carolina SBTDC and as an independent consultant in both public and private sectors.

Nadia has worked across sectors, from retail to manufacturing, and delivered educational and administrative services to public and private schools from Kansas City to Abu Dhabi. Nadia also entered the European Union’s only Ph.D. program in Philosophy and Theory of Visual Culture, focusing her research on gender equity and Female Identity in Public Spaces.

As an area SBDC Assistant Director, Nadia believes that- “Supporting lifelong learning-by-doing develops the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit in every individual.” Nadia’s role in KSSBDC and in cooperation with affiliate organizations is to encourage and support small businesses, put ideas into practice, forge relationships that lead to successes, and lift underserved urban and rural communities.

A native Kansan, Scott has worked and, most importantly, lived in the Topeka and northeast Kansas area for more than 30 years. His passion for well-designed Architecture has helped shape the skyline that he sees every day. Scott believes that building beautifully begins with building community. He is committed to making the Midwest a place his children would want to live, work, and play when they pursue their own dreams and goals as adults.

Scott will provide client advocacy within the team, ensuring the vision and goals of the project are set, and the process supports those goals.

As a Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Kansas City, Fernando provides trade counseling to companies based in Missouri and Kansas seeking to enter new markets, increase their international client base, and improve its e-commerce strategies.  Fernando is a licensed attorney, who previously worked in the business intelligence and marketing division of a large financial institution.  He co-founded multiple non-for-profit development initiatives, and has been fortunate to participate in projects throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America.  He holds a Juris Doctor, Master in Public Administration and Bachelor’s  Degree from the University of Puerto Rico, where he focused his research on economic and international affairs.

Tracy Jepson is a multi-passionate small business leader who has grown her bookkeeping and advisory practice, KANTEX Financial, into an international account services firm, and opened a local scuba diving shop, Flying Fish Divers, in fall of 2021. She is a nationally recognized speaker, business coach, and recipient of Greater Topeka Partnership’s Outstanding Women Owned Business for 2021. She has built a brand as a no-nonsense professional who guides her clients towards growth and profitability. She believes in the duty of service to her community and is involved as the Vice Chair of the Women’s Fund of Topeka, board member for the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Minority and Women Business Development Organization as well as past experience with the Topeka Symphony League and Junior League of Topeka.

Phelica Glass is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker with a successful psychotherapy practice in Topeka, KS. Graduate of Washburn University with a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Sciences. Graduate of Tulane University of New Orleans with a master’s in clinical social work and certification of Gerontology. Through further education she attained a certification in Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling from the International Association of Health Care Professionals. Phelica also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Grief. Because of her love for people, she also holds certifications as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider, Geriatric Social Work, Sex and Porn Addiction Recovery, Suicide Bereavement and Spiritual Life Coach.

 In private practice Phelica meets the needs of individuals and families coping with grief, behavioral and emotional issues by walking with them through their personal journeys. Her belief is that children and families transition smoothly through difficult situations when they have the necessary support to do so. 

Phelica’s unique style of therapy is both effective and engaging, using cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, Theraplay and Parent-Child Interactive Treatment methods. She believes in empowering the voice of her clients through motivation and advocacy.

Phelica holds various positions within the following organizations within Topeka: The Kujima Collective, Tyson Williams Productions, Martin Luther King Living the Dream, Greater Topeka EMBD, and Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Phelica was the Graduate Member at Large for the Kansas National Association of Social Work, and now holds the position of Ethics Chair.  

Phelica is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Chi Delta Zeta Chapter of Lawrence/Topeka, KS where she currently is the Chapter Chaplin. Phelica has held the positions of Regional Domestic Violence Coordinator, Regional Mental Health Coordinator and Kansas Protocol and Procedures Representative.  She is also a member of The Links Topeka Chapter where she volunteers in developing and implementing a teen mentoring program at Topeka High School.

Susie Pryor is Associate State Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center, where she helps coordinate statewide services. Susie has operated eight successful small businesses, including Brits and Au Marche in downtown Lawrence. Susie holds an MBA (MANU ’99), a masters in nonprofit leadership (ASU ’21), and a PhD in marketing (UNL ’06) and has been a business faculty member at Washburn University, Baker University, Creighton University, and California State University, among others, helping dozens of student entrepreneurs launch ventures. Susie has published more than 40 papers, book chapters, and articles in journals including The International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, The Journal of Consumer Behavior, The International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy and The Journal of Selling and Sales Management.

Melissa joined the World Trade Center – Kansas City (WTC-KC) team in 2016. Charged with assisting Kansas City regional businesses with their international trade needs, Melissa is responsible for overseeing the organization’s various events and programs designed to fulfill this mission.

Before joining WTC-KC, Melissa served as an International Trade Specialist for the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) specializing in the promotion of Livestock & Genetics. During her time at MDA she led numerous trade missions and represented the State of Missouri at various trade shows.

Prior to that she worked as a Data Analyst for Lincoln University of Jefferson City where she was charged with maintaining and reporting University data on the local, state, and national levels.   

Melissa is originally from central Missouri and is an avid traveler. She attended Truman State University and Lincoln University of Jefferson City. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and a Master of Business Administration in Business Management. 

8-year Army veteran and proud noncommissioned officer. Now, I connect and equip veterans, military spouses, and currently serving individuals to invaluable business resources. My focus as a member of the VetBiz (VBOC) team, as the regional training manager, is to strengthen our communities by building strong veteran small businesses.

Laurie Pieper is VP of Entrepreneurship & Small Business with GO Topeka. In this role she develops programming and partnerships, oversees the Small Business Incentive Program, and helps to support innovation initiatives. Prior to joining GO Topeka, Dr. Pieper was the Director of the BRITE Center at Washburn University, Tech Director for the America’s SBDC Iowa and the owner of several small businesses. She has helped clients receive venture capital investments, SBIR funding, and economic development grants for tech commercialization and for foreign market entry. She has a Ph. D. from UCLA and is also a Certified Global Business Professional. She serves on the Board of Governors of NASBITE International, is on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, and is on the Advisory Board for a med tech startup.

Sam owns, operates, and has invested in several life science-based companies related to human and animal health. He is recognized as an industry leader and technical expert with numerous editorials, articles in various industry and scientific peer reviewed journals and books. Sam has, a number of issued patents worldwide on subject matter relating to molecular therapeutics (including therapeutic nutrition), vaccines and diagnostics for humans and animals.

Dr. Al-Murrani, serves as an investment advisor to several investment banks, private equity, and venture capital firms. He serves and has served as chairman or director on the boards of several human and animal health companies and serves on the selection committee and coaching panel for the Kansas City Animal Health Summit.

Sam has a B.Sc. in Animal Science and a Ph.D. in Immunology and Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh. He holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Baker University.

Stephanie Moran is the SVP of Innovation at GO Topeka. Stephanie joined GO Topeka in March 2022, after spending three years as president of Nutri-Shield, a Kansas-based agriculture startup. During her time at Nutri-Shield she served as a founding member and sat on the Advisory Board of the Central Kansas Manufacturing Network, developing a coalition for local manufacturers to connect, learn, expand business opportunities and strengthen resources. Stephanie also spent 18+ years at Payless ShoeSource’s headquarters in Topeka and led many efforts, including the creation of their international franchising division. Stephanie is a Native Kansan and longtime resident of Topeka where she has served in many volunteer roles in the community.

Business Opportunity Specialist for the Small Business Administration in the Kansas City District Office. Where she is responsible to promote SBA programs and services through outreach and marketing; recruitment, training, education, and development of small businesses interested in doing business with the government (federal, state and local level); Small business consultation and working with SBA PCRs/CMRs to identify the needs of government organizations (federal, state and local level), OSDBU/OSBP (DOD) and primes/sub-contractors to assist them with meeting their small business goals.

Linking and matching the needs of organizations (government organizations and prime/sub-contractors) to the capabilities of small businesses through business matchmaking and other outreach and marketing initiatives; and Furthering the SBA mission and assisting with the implementation of best practices.

Mike is a graduate of Washburn University.  He has been in the financial industry for over 25 years with experience in consumer, special assets and small business banking.  Mike started his banking career with Commerce Bank and Trust and spent 15 years with them before leaving for other ventures in the financial world.  He has recently returned to Corefirst as their Core Express Banker, where he manages the bank’s small business loan requests under $300,000.  Mike enjoys working with small business owners, as they are the lifeblood of our community.  He likes to see entrepreneurs’ dreams become reality and work with small business owners as they grow and expand their business.

Outside of the bank Mike has served as a youth group leader at Fellowship Bible Church’s Surge program where he has led the same group of boys from 7^th grade to now their senior year.  He also umpires at Ken Berry during the summer as a way to say involved in baseball.  Mike is married to his wife Nicole for 25 years.  They have 2 kids (Jordan who is a Para Professional at Wanamaker Elementary and Carson who is a senior as Washburn Rural High School).

Vincent Haworth is the Director of the Capital Access Center for the Kansas SBDC. He began his KSBDC career in July 2020 starting up the Capital Access Center, which is one of only three such existing specialty centers within the ASBDC footprint.  Before arriving at KSBDC , Vincent has been a banking professional for over 24 years specializing in commercial lending.   Before starting a banking career, Haworth owned and operated a talent acquisition and music management company for thirteen years.  Vincent is a lifelong Kansan and has been married for 26 years with a freshman daughter who is the featured twirler at Pittsburg State University.