About
Nona Minnifield Cheeks is the founder and CEO of Innovatyr, LLC, an applied science and technology consulting firm that works with students on product innovations and with startups on commercialization and technology utilization. She previously served as Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, where she directed a team handling technology transfer, IP management, SBIR/STTR funding decisions, and global partnership negotiations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Loyola University Maryland and completed executive education at the University of Chicago Booth and Simmons University.
Experience
- TEDCOBoard Membercurrent2024 — presentColumbia, MD
- Timothy Smith NetworkTimothy Smith Network Technical Consultant for Boston Design Academycurrent2020 — presentBoston, Massachusetts, United States
- InnovatyrFounder/CEOcurrent2019 — present
- Our Shades of Blue - DMVBoard Membercurrent2018 — presentColorado
- NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterChief, Strategic Partnerships Office2002 — 2019Greenbelt, MD
- NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterChief, Innovative Technology Partnerships Office2000 — 2010Greenbelt, MD
Education
- University of MarylandBachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Loyola University MarylandMaster of Business Administration (MBA)
- Loyola University Maryland
Skills & more
Spacecraft14Space Systems17Aerospace12Organizational Development10Executive Coaching5Management Consulting8Leadership Development7Systems Engineering9Team Building10Training8Change Management6Public Speaking9
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Conflict ResolutionFrom Nona's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended University of Maryland148
Katrina PagliaChief Legal Officer at Pantera CapitalDaniel DemmerInvestor at OpenView Venture PartnersDan RochkindCFO at Lerer HippeauAaron EpsteinGeneral Partner at Y CombinatorSamir KaulInvestor at Khosla VenturesRajesh SwaminathanInvestor at Khosla Ventures
+ 142 more
Also attended Loyola University Maryland27
Grayson BaxterFund Controller at JMI EquityMelissa GuttmanPrincipal, Talent at JMI EquityJessica Mullins CamburnChief Financial Officer at Glasswing VenturesRyan McQueeneyCFO at Acadian Ventures Management, LlcMcKenna PaulsonDirector, Marketing & Administrative Operations at RRE VenturesAndre JabbanPartner and Head of Capital Formation at Prime Movers Lab
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Shared employers
Also worked at TEDCO29
Troy A. LeMaile-StovallCEO at Maryland TEDCOChung Hei SingBoard Member at Maryland TEDCOTien WongTech investor, entrepreneur, and CEO; Chairman & CEO of Opus8Katherine Hill RitchieSenior Director, Venture Funds at Maryland TEDCORobert LordVenture Partner at LionBirdMcKeever (Mac) Conwell, IIAdvisor at Trailyn VC
+ 23 more
Also worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center11
Linda CuretonBoard Member at Maryland TEDCOTaylor SargentPartner at Industrious VenturesRasheed AugusteSenior Analyst at Playground GlobalNeil ParikhConsumer Retail at Torch CapitalKareem DabbaghManaging Partner at VoLo Earth VenturesDavid GoldManaging Partner at Denver Ventures
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Colleagues at Maryland TEDCO
Abi Kulshreshtha
Executive Director, Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) at Maryland TEDCO
Andrew Serafini
Board Member at Maryland TEDCO
Ann K. Pulley
Controller at Maryland TEDCO
Ann Liebschutz
Federal Agency Engagement Contractor (Consultant) at Maryland TEDCO
Anudeep Koneru
Program Coordinator / Business Intelligence Analyst at Maryland TEDCO
April Davis-Hurtt
Lead BRIDGE Advisor at Maryland TEDCO
Avanti Shetye
Senior Director, Investment Operations & Compliance at Maryland TEDCO
Avishi Garg
BRIDGE Program Intern at Maryland TEDCO