Connect Promotes Dr. Petra Stegmann as Head of Entrepreneurial Programs
SAN DIEGO, December 17, 2025 – Connect, the nonprofit organization that has served as a trusted partner to San Diego’s innovation community for 40 years, today announced the promotion of Dr. Petra Stegmann as Head of Entrepreneurial Programs. Dr. Stegmann has been with Connect since 2011, serving in a range of roles that have supported founders across […]
Connect Strengthens Leadership Team with Promotion of Cait Kelly to Chief Strategy Officer
SAN DIEGO, December 1, 2025 — Connect, the premier nonprofit organization in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and cultivating thriving life science and technology communities, announced today that Cait Kelly has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer and will join the executive leadership team as the organization advances its ongoing growth and […]
Introducing: Lizbeth Dargi
Meet the team! Lizbeth Dargi👋 Creating spaces where meaningful relationships form. Let’s Connect I’m excited to join Connect as the Partnerships & Events Manager and support the founders, builders, and partners who are pushing bold ideas forward across San Diego. Continuous learning has always guided me. While studying International Relations at the Autonomous University of […]
Connect Appoints Tre Braquet as Chief Brand & Engagement Officer
SAN DIEGO, October 13, 2025 — Connect, a premier nonprofit organization in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and cultivating thriving life science and technology communities, announced today that Tre Braquet has been named Chief Brand & Engagement Officer. In this role, Braquet will oversee Connect’s brand strategy, communications, and community engagement initiatives. […]
Connect Names Gretel von Son as Chief Operating Officer to Drive Growth in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
SAN DIEGO, September 22, 2025 — Connect, the premier nonprofit organization in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and cultivating thriving life science and technology communities, announced today the appointment of Gretel von Son as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she will oversee operations and strategy, with a focus on scaling impact, […]
Connect Appoints James Zanewicz as Chief Executive Officer to Shape the Next Chapter of Innovation Growth
SAN DIEGO, August 4, 2025 — Connect, the premier nonprofit organization in the San Diego innovation ecosystem established 40 years ago to cultivate life science and tech innovation communities, today announced the appointment of James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, as Chief Executive Officer. “As we considered candidates to lead Connect into its next chapter, James […]
Introducing: Daniela Gama
Meet the team! Daniela Gama👋 Data Driven. Mission-Minded. Community-Focused. Let’s Connect Daniela Gama brings a sharp analytical mindset and a deep sense of purpose to her work at Connect. A graduate of UC San Diego with a B.S. in Business Economics and minors in Marketing and Cognitive Science, Daniela blends academic insight with real-world experience […]
Introducing: Rick Valencia
Meet the team! Rick Valencia👋 Interim CEO Scaling bold ideas into breakthrough industries—Rick brings vision, grit, and decades of leadership. Let’s Connect Rick Valencia is a respected global entrepreneur and corporate executive with nearly 30 years of experience creating, scaling, and exiting companies at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and innovation. Known for his visionary […]
Introducing: Nico Gutiérrez
Meet the team! Nico Gutiérrez👋 Bridging data, design, and storytelling to craft meaningful digital experiences that drive innovation and impact. Let’s Connect As a new member of the Connect team, I’m excited to dive deeper into San Diego’s thriving innovation ecosystem—a space where cutting-edge technology meets bold ideas to shape the future. My background sits […]
