Team StartUpNV
Board Members and Management Team

Ellen Purpus
Board Member - Representing UNR
Asst Vice President, Enterprise & Innovation: University of Nevada, Reno. Prior to UNR Ellen was responsible for the growth and success as: Director, Technology Transfer: The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia; Director, Technology Licensing: The Ohio State University; Director, Life Sciences: Indiana University Research & Technology Corporation

Nick Nielson
Community Manager | Southern Nevada
Connector in Nevada’s startup ecosystem for founders, mentors, investors, business partners, and donors. Experienced University based Venture Capital and Startup Community & Project Manager. Business development & operations professional for venture fund creation and startup company investment analysis.

Lisa Song Sutton
Advisory Board Member | TEDx Speaker | Forbes Writer | Miss Nevada US 2014
Entrepreneur, Forbes writer, TEDx Speaker, real estate investor and Miss Nevada United States 2014. Lisa started her career in a top Las Vegas law firm, specializing in business litigation. She then went on to create iconic Vegas companies of her own.

Madeline Feldman
Director Of Operations & Business Development
Connector in Nevada’s startup ecosystem for founders, mentors, investors, business partners, and donors. Entertainment professional experienced in production, from creation through closing. Dancer, choreographer, writer, director, and producer with superior problem solving and leadership skills.

Eric Madison
1971-2017 | Co-Founder, in Memoriam
Eric’s passion for the Nevada start-up community was a driving force in our founding. At just 46 years old, Eric was killed by a wrong way, impaired driver on I-580 in Reno on August 19, 2017. Don’t drink and drive!