Founding Members
Thomas A. Stewart
Thomas A. Stewart is a serial entrepreneur and engaged Lansing community activist. While serving as the President and CEO of Common Wealth Enterprises, he remains passionate about social entrepreneurship and community capitalism and what it can do for the Greater Lansing community. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Paul Jaques
Paul Jaques has nearly a decade of experience as a recruiter and is currently the Director of Student & Community Engagement at Spartan Innovations. Paul works with the entrepreneurial community, including faculty, staff and students at MSU to get their businesses or ideas to market. He collaborates with the State of Michigan, community events, start-ups, and new business ideas to strengthen the entrepreneurial climate. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and earned his master’s degree from Michigan State University in public relations.
Erik Larson
Erik Larson is the executive director of Impression 5 Science Center, located in downtown Lansing. Born and raised in the greater Lansing region, Erik began his career at Impression 5 as a volunteer at the age of 14. After attending Olivet College to study biology/pre-med, Erik returned to Impression 5 to serve as the Director of Education. In 2005, Erik was appointed to the position of Executive Director.
Jennifer Middlin
Jennifer Middlin is the Director of Marketing and New Media with CiesaDesign. She is a proud advocate for the Greater Lansing region and its bright future. She has spent nearly a decade in marketing and public relations in the technology sector and has worked on events such as TEDxLansing and Ignite Lansing to bring thinkers together. Jennifer received her bachelor’s degrees from Northwood University in marketing and management.
Robin Miner-Swartz
Robin Miner-Swartz is the Director of Communications for the Capital Region Community Foundation, a public nonprofit working to enhance the quality of life in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. Before joining the foundation, Robin spent 18 years as an award-winning reporter and editor at the Lansing State Journal covering local arts and entertainment and writing movie and restaurant reviews. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
Dan Ryan
Dan Ryan is a technical trainer, orator, Web developer and professional instigator. Dan left a life of power ties and power lunches to join the infinitely more rewarding world of startups. Dan spends his days as CEO of his training company, Applied Awesome, and his nights and weekends as a mentor for entrepreneurs.
Chris VanWyck
Chris VanWyck is the Vice President of Creative Strategy at CiesaDesign. A 1991 BFA graduate of Michigan State University, Chris is a brand and corporate identity expert with more than 20 years of award-winning design experience. He is also a visiting instructor at MSU and frequent guest design lecturer. A champion of community arts and culture, he is an active advocate, acting from a board level leadership capacity to community grass-roots involvement.
