XPRIZE Staff

I Prize a Space-Faring Civilization

Dr. Andrew Barton joins XPRIZE with 10 years of experience working in the aerospace and mechanical engineering fields. As Director of Technical Operations for the Google Lunar XPRIZE, Dr. Barton is responsible for finalizing the prize's rules and guidelines, selecting and managing the panel of independent judges and communicating with external stakeholders on technical aspects. Dr. Barton's experience spanning large and small space projects will ensure that the Google Lunar XPRIZE rewards innovate and talented teams, setting the scene for the next wave of space exploration.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Dr. Barton was involved in the private space industry as a technology developer, project manager and entrepreneur. He also worked for 4 years as a specialist at the European Space Agency ESTEC facility in the Netherlands where he supported the development of space missions, including significant contributions to future lunar and Mars landers as well as the Vega launch vehicle. His deep understanding of space mission development covers all phases of the design process from conceptual design studies through to final system qualification.

Dr. Barton holds Ph.D and bachelors degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Sydney and a Masters degree in Space Studies from the International Space University. He is also an avid student of languages and international cultures.

I Prize Disease Prevention
Jordan Brown joins XPRIZE with a decade of experience at the nexus of politics, entertainment, and philanthropy, and specializes in building hybrid coalitions that span those three spheres. At XPRIZE, Mr. Brown leads Visioneering, the process used to translate visionary ideas for combating the world’s Grand Challenges into incentivized competitions.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Mr. Brown launched the social impact agenda for Summit Series, a global community for leading young entrepreneurs. In 2007, he joined actress and activist Fran Drescher in launching the Cancer Schmancer Foundation, a leading voice for prevention and early detection of cancer. Mr. Brown has also worked on a variety of political and issue campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.

Mr. Brown earned a degree in Political Science from Stanford University, and studied at L'Institut d'études politiques (IEP) in Paris. Jordan is a California native and lives in Los Angeles.

I Prize Good Health and Wellness
Grant Campany comes to the Archon Genomics XPRIZE presented by Express Scripts with nearly 20 years in the Life Sciences industry. As the founder of BLOGiQ Advisory Group, a boutique consultancy firm offering strategic planning for non-profit organizations, Mr. Campany brings his wealth of experience in the non-profit sector to XPRIZE, revitalizing and re-launching the Archon Genomics XPRIZE presented by Express Scripts.

He began his career with 3M Pharmaceuticals and led the development and implementation of 3M’s first global Research & Development portfolio prioritization process across three technology platforms. Mr. Campany’s experience includes business development for PPD Discovery and Onyx Pharmaceuticals and global strategic planning for Chiron Corp.

Mr. Campany holds a Bachelor of Science in Business “With Distinction” and a Master of Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.

I Prize Accessible Quality Healthcare for All
Christina Cavalli comes to XPRIZE with ten years of recruitment and human resources experience.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Cavalli served as a Senior On Premise Manager for Ultimate Staffing. During her tenure at Ultimate Staffing she was responsible for the recruitment and management of the contingency workforce at 20th Century Fox.

Ms. Cavalli received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Sonoma State University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.

I Prize Creating a World of Abundance
Dr. Peter Diamandis is the Chairman and CEO of XPRIZE, which leads the world in designing and launching large incentive prizes to drive radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. Best known for the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE for private spaceflight and the $10 million Progressive Automotive XPRIZE for 100 mile-per-gallon equivalent cars, XPRIZE is now launching prizes in Exploration, Life Sciences, Energy, and Education.

Diamandis is also an international leader in the commercial space arena, having founded and run many of the leading entrepreneurial companies in this sector including Zero Gravity Corporation, the Rocket Racing League and Space Adventures.

As co-Founder & Chairman of the Singularity University, a Silicon Valley based institution partnered with NASA, Google, Autodesk and Nokia, Diamandis counsels the world’s top enterprises on how to utilize exponential technologies and incentivized innovation to dramatically accelerate their business objectives.

Dr. Diamandis attended the MIT where he received his degrees in molecular genetics and aerospace engineering, as well as Harvard Medical School where he received his M.D. Diamandis’ personal motto is: “The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself!”

I Prize Quality Education for All Children
Winona Dorris joins XPRIZE with more than 20 years of experience leading finance and accounting teams in the entertainment, healthcare, and consulting industries. She is the central point of contact for all day to day financial issues, primarily responsible for leading the operational strategy as it relates to the finance department.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Dorris was a finance consultant where she serviced clients in management level roles in finance, accounting, and taxation. Privately, she volunteers as the treasurer of a non-profit in which public service, leadership development and the education of youth are the hallmark of the organization’s programs and activities.

Ms. Dorris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics-Accounting from Claremont McKenna College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

I Prize the Environment
Christopher Frangione brings to XPRIZE more than 12 years of experience in the strategy and operations fields, initially with energy companies and then as a management consultant. This experience helps Mr. Frangione work with all departments of XPRIZE, prize sponsors, and other prize stakeholders to develop and deliver prizes for the energy and the environment prize group.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Mr. Frangione served as a Managing Associate at Farkas Berkowitz & Company, a boutique management consulting firm serving the engineering industry, where he consulted to the CEOs of major engineering companies on issues related to strategy. Mr. Frangione has also served as the Manager of Operations and Business Development at Green Mountain Energy Company where he defined new business opportunities, policies, and strategies for the retail renewable energy company, in addition to managing a regional market.

Mr. Frangione received his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from Colby College and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Environmental Management from Duke University.

I Prize Sustainability

Jill Gravender comes to XPRIZE with more than 15 years of experience in environmental policy and management. She has worked closely with diverse stakeholders (NGOs, corporations, federal and state governments, as well as academic and financial institutions) to develop innovative approaches to mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. This breadth of experience helps her to strategically identify, design, and launch new competitions across the XPRIZE’s five Prize Groups.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Gravender served as the Director of R20 USA, an organization founded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, which strives to align technology, policy and financial investments to help governments around the world implement low-carbon energy and sustainable development projects. Ms. Gravender’s leadership also contributed to the development of the first state-level voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program in the country (California Climate Action Registry), as well as the first North American greenhouse gas registry (The Climate Registry ).

Ms. Gravender has a Bachelors degree in Economics from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

I Prize Curiosity and Critical Thinking

Alexandra Hall comes to the XPRIZE with a wealth of experience in both the private and public sectors in USA and Europe. Ms. Hall will draw on her professional experience and enthusiasm for space exploration to manage all aspects of the Google Lunar XPRIZE. Ms. Hall is credited with breaking new ground in aviation by bringing Zeppelin airships back to the U.S. after 70 years through her position as co-founder and former CEO of Airship Ventures, a company that uses airships for passenger flights, science research, and media purposes,

Prior to Airship Ventures, Ms. Hall served as the Executive Director of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, CA, where she managed fundraising efforts, developed exhibitions and led major programs with school district, university and agency partners. Ms. Hall is regarded as a leader in bringing space and astronomy to the public, having authored several books for children and adults about space and hosted BBC Television's "Final Frontier." She holds a degree in Astrophysics from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.

I Prize Creativity and Collaboration

A dynamic executive, Mr. Lindenberg brings more than a decade of business and corporate development experience to XPRIZE where he leads sales of the Innovation Partnership Program. Mr. Lindenberg has been instrumental in driving high level strategy in both private equity and entrepreneurial capacities, and has continually helped bridge the gap between capital markets and new technologies. In his current position, he facilitates radical corporate innovation and collaboration through exponential technology education.

Mr. Lindenberg began his career in venture capital, financing a portfolio of early stage tech and bio tech companies at Trautman Wasserman’s San Francisco practice. He honed his deal making skills consulting for tier one private equity firms such as H.I.G. Capital and The Jordan Company as an origination associate at Dinan and Company. Early stage investment banking at Growthink Inc led him to his first tech start up where he oversaw all aspects of corporate development from capital formation through joint ventures and the eventual exit of cloud based, IT services provider, Artistforce Inc.

He is a serial angel investor with a penchant for alternative energy solutions and triple bottom line results. He is a board member of Education Plus De Nicaragua and holds an MA in economics from the University of California Santa Barbara. In his free time he enjoys snowboarding, reading, tennis and international travel.

I Prize Possibility
Elizabeth Rogers joins XPRIZE with more than 18 years of experience in business, marketing, pop culture and the non-profit world. As Director of Alliances, Ms. Rogers is responsible for identifying new opportunities and partnerships for XPRIZE. Her ability to "know the audience" and build constituencies will open new vistas for XPRIZE.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Rogers penned several books, including The New York Times best-seller The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time, the number one best-selling green title on the market to date. Prior to that Ms. Rogers spent ten years as the Senior Vice President of Global Communications for Calvin Klein, after which she worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council as a branding consultant. Ms. Rogers has worked with major brands like Christie's (Fine Art Auctions), General Electric, Proctor & Gamble and has appeared on many national television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, and on MSNBC and FOX News. Articles about Elizabeth and her work have appeared in numerous publications, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and Readers Digest.

In 2006, Ms. Rogers created Trippin', MTV's first-ever eco-friendly reality TV show, with actor Cameron Diaz. Hailed as groundbreaking television programming, the show targeted young viewers with the message that even small efforts by everyday people can make a huge difference in saving the planet.

I Prize Medical Breakthroughs

Al Shaikh joins XPRIZE with more than 15 years of experience in building innovative digital programs for organizations of all sizes. Mr. Shaikh’s extensive experience helps lead digital marketing efforts for XPRIZE. Mr. Shaikh's specialties include digital product development, web analytics, and conversion optimization.

Al Shaikh received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Psychology from Stony Brook University and a Master of Business Administration from Hofstra University.

I Prize Personalized Healthcare
Mark Winter joins XPRIZE as the Senior Director of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE and Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE with more than thirty years of management experience in high technology, information services and health informatics. He was most recently a founder and Executive Vice President of Gluco Fitness Center, Inc. which provides wireless blood glucose and physiological monitoring of people with diabetes as part of an integrated exercise, diet and education program. Previously he served as the CEO of Simulis LLC which provided advanced clinical skills simulation-based training and assessment services that help large healthcare systems verify that their personnel follow evidence-based care practices and can safely operate medical devices.

Mr. Winter began his career in Silicon Valley providing design and marketing for Apple, Adobe Systems, Lucid and Compression Laboratories. He was later recruited to serve as V.P. of Corporate Development for Continental Graphics Holdings, Inc. which developed and operated the leading producer of customized technical documents for the world’s fleet of commercial aircraft (known today as Boeing Datagraphics). Following that he served as Senior V.P. of Marketing and Corporate Development for e-SIM, Inc., a leading provider of software simulation tools for creating and testing the user interfaces of embedded systems such as cellular phones and other hand-held electronics.

Mr. Winter holds a MBA from Pepperdine University and has a BFA in Communications Design from Art Center College of Design (with Honors).

I Prize Sustainable and Compassionate Food Systems

Jennifer Bravo joins XPRIZE with nearly ten years of experience in research and public policy. She has worked closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions to develop and implement policy in the public interest. Her experience in research, development, and project management helps her design prizes that address the world's Grand Challenges.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Bravo managed the City of Los Angeles's Campaign Finance Program, where she successfully regulated candidates, elected officials, and independent spending in local elections and increased public disclosure and engagement in the campaign finance arena. She also worked as a researcher and teaching assistant at the University of Southern California, where she focused on addressing the state's budget crisis.

Ms. Bravo earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Sacramento in anthropology with an emphasis in environmental science, and her Master of Public Policy from the University of Southern California, where she serves on the alumni board of the USC Price School of Public Policy. She spends her free time volunteering for environmental and animal welfare organizations.

I Prize Unleashing Potential

Vivian Cabral comes to XPRIZE with over 12 years of healthcare experience in both corporate and non-profit organizations. Her background in project management, drug and device development and strategic communications allows Ms. Cabral to successfully lead team relations and management for the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE and the Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Cabral designed messaging strategies and executed communication campaigns for healthcare corporations and brands at Edelman. She counseled private and public sector clients including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Edwards Lifesciences, Shire Regenerative Medicine, Sangart, Care Harbor and CoachArt. In addition, Ms. Cabral successfully launched and managed global marketing, clinical research, philanthropy and communications projects for Pfizer, Biogen Idec, Harvard Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yale School of Public Health, the Taproot Foundation and Shanti Bhavan Children's Project.

Ms. Cabral holds a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Public Health in Health Services from Boston University School of Public Health and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Columbia University.

I Prize Sustainable Agriculture
Kama Craig comes to XPRIZE with more than 15 years of experience in office management, accounting, logistics, and expert customer care. She is both honored and excited to use her extensive administrative background and exceptional organizational skills to provide the day to day operational support for the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE and the Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Craig worked primarily in the private sector, holding managerial positions in home décor and apparel design and manufacturing, a top international logistics company, and most recently managing operations from the ground floor up at an architectural tech start-up firm.

Ms. Craig studied nutrition education at Orange Coast College which led to a lifelong passion for health, nutrition and wellness. She is an advocate for supporting local farmers and the importance of affordable nutrient rich food for a healthier population.

I Prize Clean Oceans
Connie Fox comes to XPRIZE with more than 15 years of experience working as an Executive Assistant for CEO’s at KB Home, Herbalife and Activision. Her current role at XPRIZE is assisting the CEO with day-to-day operations.

Ms. Fox started her career as a Sales Representative/Marketing Manager for Donnelly Yellow Pages and PageNet before realizing her true passion was organizing people’s lives.

Ms. Fox holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Long Beach.

I Prize a Cure for Lupus

Cindy Hemming joins XPRIZE with more than 18 years of experience as a paralegal working in both corporate and law firm environments. Ms. Hemming’s diverse and extensive experience will be used to assist with the legal needs of XPRIZE, as well as coordinate with our outside legal counsel to prepare, review and process the legal contracts.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Hemming worked for 12 years as a paralegal for the Co-President/General Counsel of Playa Capital Company, LLC (“Playa Vista”). At Playa Vista, she helped create the legal department and protocols, and was responsible for providing legal support in areas of litigation, contracts, commercial leases and corporate compliance.

Ms. Hemming attended Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo majoring in political science and pre-law. She completed with honors an ABA approved paralegal studies program at Penn State University. Ms. Hemming is an avid runner and has completed numerous marathons. In 2012, she ran the L.A. Marathon and raised money for her sponsor The Lupus Foundation of America.

I Prize Positive Creative Self Expression

Dave Kebo joins XPRIZE with more than a dozen years of experience in the Film and Television industry as a screenwriter, director and editor. His extensive background in shepherding a diverse array of projects through all stages of the creative process will help XPRIZE to produce dynamic and engaging content.

Mr. Kebo began his career as a screenwriter on the Jet Li film “The Black Mask.” Since then, he has written projects for Beacon Pictures, Artisan, Digital Domain, Fremantle, Hydraulx Films and MTV. Mr. Kebo has also directed numerous music videos and award-winning shorts as well as two feature films. His work has appeared on Showtime and the Sci Fi Channel and premiered at international festivals including the Los Angeles Film Festival, Sundance and Cannes.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Mr. Kebo edited trailers and sizzle reels for companies such as LMNO Productions, Rive Gauche TV and A&E. Corporate clients include Google, Easton Sports and Northrop Grumman.

Mr. Kebo earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has mentored as a Big Brother for the past seven years.

I Prize a Clean Environment
David Locke comes to XPRIZE having worked in the Film and Television industry for the past several years. Organizing complex global productions has helped Mr. Locke in his efforts to establish and administer XPRIZE’s competitions.

Most recently working as a Coordinator in the Production Department of Sony Pictures Television, Mr. Locke helped oversee the production of more than twenty award winning TV Movie and Mini-Series. Prior to his tenure at Sony, Mr. Locke worked freelance on a number of well-respected network and cable TV programs (scripted, live & reality programming), feature films (both studio and independently funded) as well as music videos and commercials.

Mr. Locke holds a Bachelor of Arts in Television Production with a minor in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

I Prize Medical Breakthroughs
Shawna McLean joins the Archon Genomics XPRIZE presented by Express Scripts team with more than 20 years of experience as a print and television journalist. Her skills in writing, editing and communications will be used to help shape the message and further the goals of the Archon Genomics XPRIZE presented by Express Scripts.

Ms. McLean began her career as Communications Director for The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Editor of St. Louis Lawyer magazine. She spent the next 15 years in television as a planning editor, assignment manager and most recently an assignment editor for the duopoly, KCBS2/KCAL9 News in Los Angeles. In 2007, Ms. McLean was part of the live news team that won an Emmy for coverage of the Esperanza Fire.

Ms. McLean earned her Journalism degree from Southern Illinois University.

I Prize Humane Animal Welfare
Lina Morlando comes to XPRIZE with more than 20 years combined experience in Administration/Operations, Marketing and Graphic Design in both the public and private sector. Her role as Associate is divided between graphic design, and the coordination and production of XPRIZE’s Prize Development collateral.

Ms. Morlando’s past experience includes Marketing Coordinator for the Space & Communications Division at Boeing, assisting with the launch of the International Space Station.

I Prize a Clean Environment
Robyn Ready joins XPRIZE with more than 15 years of experience in project management. Having worked in fields as diverse as Litigation Support to Warehousing to Telecommunications, she brings her project management experience to XPRIZE in the execution of prizes and challenges.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, she worked as a supervising project manager with Agile•1 in the field of Human Capital Management where she led the team that received the 2008 President’s award for quadrupling an account to more than $180 million in six months.

Ms. Ready received her Bachelor of Science in Management from Purdue University.

I Prize Intrinsic Motivation
Stephanie Shapiro comes to XPRIZE with more than eight years of experience working in nonprofit and education organizations as a case manager, community outreach manager, fundraiser, and facilitator. Ms. Shapiro uses this background to help design prizes focused on benefiting humanity in new and innovative ways, as well as fostering industry breakthroughs.

Prior to XPRIZE, Ms. Shapiro worked with a variety of at-risk populations including homeless women in crisis pregnancy, inner-city youth, children affected by HIV/AIDS, and homeless adults reentering the workforce. This past summer, Ms. Shapiro was an Education Pioneers fellow where she was part of a dynamic cohort of graduate students committed to education reform.

Ms. Shapiro earned Psychology and Human Rehabilitation Services degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and an MBA with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Loyola Marymount University. She founded the LMU Net Impact chapter and recently completed a yearlong research project focused on how social enterprises in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, and India overcome barriers and develop best practices. Ms. Shapiro loves learning about and experiencing other cultures.

I Prize Science Education
Damien Somerset comes to XPRIZE with experience in a wide array of video and digital media projects. This experience helps Damien oversee video production and social media efforts for XPRIZE and its competitions.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Damien served as Project Manager for the AFI Digital Content Lab and Social Media Consultant for a number of web content companies including Revison3, NextNewNetworks, and Generate. He also has a passion for environmental issues and has worked for Treehugger, GOOD Magazine, and was the creator of the acclaimed green web video series ZapRoot.

Mr. Somerset attended University of Southern California Film School.

I Prize Animal Welfare
Elke Stoll comes to XPRIZE with an extensive background in business and administration.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Stoll worked for several Internet startup companies and explored her creative side by working with an artist who designed clothing.

Originally from Ulmen, Germany, Ms. Stoll has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Berufsschule in Cochem, Germany and received a certificate in Computer Systems and Programming from Computer Learning Center (CLC).

I Prize Comprehensive Care for the Elderly

Sharon Terrell joins XPRIZE as the Accounting Associate. She is responsible for the incoming and outgoing payments.

Ms. Terrell has many years of experience in the accounting field from the private and public sector.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Sharon worked in the healthcare, manufacturing and nonprofit sectors.