Sparking the fullest potential in every kid.
Who We Are
We are a team of entrepreneurs, self-proclaimed adventurers, and non-profit leaders working together to create entrepreneurship programs for youth. Our mission? To build a global community of talented instructors so we can make entrepreneurship education available to kids all around the world.
Cristal
Glangchai, PHD
Founder
About me:
Cristal is a scientist, entrepreneur, and mentor passionate about developing the next generation of creative leaders. With a background in engineering, technology, and science, her professional accomplishments are good fodder for advanced tongue twisters. Her passion for igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in girls led her to found VentureLab in 2013 and to write the VentureGirls book. As the founder of VentureLab, she spreads the Entrepreneurial Learning gospel wherever she goes and encourages our team to #DreamBig. Outside of planning an education revolution, she love reading, jiu jitsu, and searching for new unicorn-themed swag.
Education:
BS, Mechanical Engineering, BA, Plan II, MS, Biomedical Engineering, PhD, Biomedical Engineering University of Texas, Austin
Desma
Deitz
Executive Director
About me:
Desma is passionate about youth development and has spent her career creating and promoting programs that support kids’ education, health and wellness. From her first job out of college at her local Girl Scouts council to her time leading social ventures at UNICEF USA, Desma has remained committed to finding solutions that promote equity and access for all children. She’s also inspired by the use of technology to accelerate social progress and is proud to lead the VentureLab team as its Executive Director. Desma lives in Austin, TX and spends as much time as she can outdoors enjoying the city with her family or finding live music with friends.
Education:
BA, Communications, Penn State University MPA, Public & Nonprofit Management, New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
Scott
Mann
Director of Education and Training, Teacher on Staff
About me:
Scott is a lifelong learner and construction major turned educator. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Construction Science in the College of Architecture. He spent 3 years with PeaceCorps Panama before returning to the states to pursue a career as a bilingual educator. He has taught in rural and urban school districts to a population of diverse students. While teaching in public schools, Scott also led STEAM based summer camps, held community language classes, mentored university students, and delivered professional development to parents, community members, and other educators.
Education:
BS, Construction Science, Texas A&M
Monica
Morales
Director of Philanthropy
About me:
Monica is the Director of Philanthropy at VentureLab, bringing over 15 years of non-profit development and management experience to the organization. She builds strategic partnerships with foundations, corporate partners, organizations, and individuals. Prior to working for VentureLab, she served as Partner and VP of Development for DivInc, as Interim Executive Director and Market Director for the American Diabetes Association for Central Texas, Director of Marketing at Market Vision Culture Inspired Advertising and Account Executive at Montemayor y Asociados Hispanic Advertising.
Education:
BA, Multicultural Organizational Studies, St. Mary's University
Sandy
McBride
Director of Communications
About me:
Sandy has spent much of her career in public service. As the Director of Communications, she brings a wealth of experience from her years working with Idaho Public Television (PBS) to educate, entertain, and inspire lifelong learners of all ages. As the mother of two daughters, Sandy is committed to empowering the next generation of changemakers, especially girls and students from marginalized communities. She has served on several public media boards during her tenure at PBS. Her passions include camping in Idaho’s mountains with her husband Dexter and their Havanese and listening to music on her deck.
Education:
BA, Telecommunications, University of Idaho
Jessica
Murray
Marketing and Communications Manager
About me:
Jessica is a resilient digital native who has a passion for startups and small businesses. Her first job picking bad pickles out at a pickle factory taught her the values of hard work, determination, and grit. She almost got her degree in science education, but was (and remains) captivated by the transformative communication possibilities of the internet. She tries to live her values, and believes in empowering other women and minorities because when the water rises all ships float. Jessica resides in St. Louis with her three cockatoos in a big old urban fixer-upper.
Education:
BS, Psychology, Missouri State University
Lindly
Fernandez
Program Coordinator
About me:
Lindly is passionate about helping empower youth and those who work with them. While looking for volunteer opportunities in college, she was introduced to the afterschool world. This planted a seed that blossomed into a focus of participating in and helping develop programs centered on empowering communities with knowledge, skills and practices that can promote growth now and in their future. Her professional life has been spent in a variety of nonprofits serving marginalized communities. She has served as a volunteer, educator, curriculum writer and program coordinator throughout her career. She tries to live life with an open heart and mind. For fun you can find her writing, running, hiking, rolling on the jiu jitsu mat, or baking bread.
Education:
BS, Family Studies, Brigham Young University
Christen
Rains
Program Success Manager
About me:
Christen’s path has bridged entrepreneurship and education. She helped her family start and run a business before she discovered the joys of teaching. She became an after-school tutor and worked primarily with immigrant and underprivileged community members. While developing lessons and programs, her primary objective was to be a champion of students’ uniqueness, strength, and curiosity. True to her small business beginnings, Christen has also helped fellow solopreneurs and entrepreneurs develop human-centric aspects of their businesses. She has been an active participant in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and seeks to build connections and collaborate with others. Personally, she enjoys wandering walks, reading books, veggie-forward cooking, hosting loved ones, and the magic of simplicity.
Education:
Dana
Stewart
Administrative Coordinator
About me:
Dana's journey began as a graduate of Texas A&M. Whoop! For the last 16 years, she have poured her heart into education, instilling her love of numbers and building confidence with math in the public education classroom. While teaching, she also owned and operated a licensed child care center for 10 years. Like any great entrepreneur, she is constantly on the hunt for new challenges and opportunities to grow and to make an impact in the world. Dana lives in a small town outside of Austin. Her passion is cheering on her three teenage boys as they succeed on the football field and basketball court. When she takes time for myself, she likes to relax on the beach with her head in the clouds and feet in the sand.
Education: