Our Team

We’re investors, business developers, and operators. We’re dedicated to founders, innovators and the entrepreneurial spirit at the University of Illinois. The Illinois Ventures’ team identifies and accelerates the growth of exceptional entrepreneurs and their game-changing companies.

Illinois Ventures Staff

Nancy Sullivan

CEO, Managing Director, and Managing, Principal Chicago

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Thomas Parkinson

Senior Director, Venture Partner, Urbana-Champaign

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Nancy Harvey

Senior Director, Principal, Chicago

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Paul Magelli

Director, Illini Angels, Chicago

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Mark O’Connor

Associate

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Christopher Valera

Operations Coordinator, Chicago

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Illinois Ventures Board


Dr. Jeffrey Brown

Dean, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Dr. Paul Ellinger

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller, University of Illinois Ex-officio

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Dr. Joanna Groden

Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Illinois Chicago

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Dennis Hesch

Chairman, Executive VP, The Carle System

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Nathan Hoffman

Director, Office of Technology Management, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Todd W. Lillibridge

President & Chief Executive Officer at TWL Enterprises, LLC

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Dr. Susan A. Martinis

Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Dr. Guy Padbury

SVP, Oncology Clinical Pharmacology

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Dr. Deb Paul

Director, Business Development & Licensing, Abbott Laboratories(Retired)

Sarah Phalen

President and CEO, INB

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Dr. Suseelan R. Pookote

Director, Office of Technology Management, University of Illinois Chicago

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Nancy Sullivan

CEO, Managing Director, and Managing Principal, Illinois Ventures Ex-officio

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Michael T. Tokarz

Chairman & CEO, Tokarz Group

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Dr. Jay Walsh

Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation, University of Illinois

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As bold as you are.

With offices in both the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago and Enterprise Works in Champaign, Illinois Ventures staff members are always available to present to groups and conduct classes on a variety of business and startup topics.

Ready to be bold?

Contact us about becoming a portfolio company.