Board of Directors and Key Staff

Board of Directors:

Kay Koplovitz	Pamela Contag	Lauren Flanagan	Calvin L. Hackeman	Ellen Hancock

Key Staff:

	Amy Millman	Joshua Henderson	Katie Gage

Kay Koplovitz

Chairman, Springboard Enterprises
Founder, USA Networks
Chairman of the Board, Liz Claiborne Inc.
Chairman and CEO, Koplovitz & Company
Board Member, CA Technologies
Author and Entrepreneur

Kay Koplovitz is the founder of USA Network and the first woman network president in television history. A pioneer in cable television networks and new media ventures, she is a visionary woman who led the emergence of cable television to challenge the broadcast networks for coveted audiences. Kay served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from USA’s premiere in 1977 as an all sports service (Madison Square Garden Sports), until stepping down in 1998. During her tenure, she built USA into the #1 ranking in primetime viewership among cable networks, for 13 consecutive years at the helm. Under Koplovitz’s direction, USA launched the SCI FI Channel in 1992, which has become one of the industry’s top ranked networks in viewership according to Nielson and is distributed to over 200 million households worldwide.  In April 1994, she launched USA Networks International, which now operates in countries around the world.  The Company was sold in 1998 for $4.5 Billion and became a publicly listed company. 

She continues to be a leader in raising venture capital for women entrepreneurs and in launching new programming companies that challenge the frontiers of the digital age. She is the author of Bold Women, Big Ideas (May '02), which she wrote to inform and inspire women entrepreneurs to create wealth through equity. Kay speaks on subjects ranging from media and the digital revolution, to venture and private equity and corporate governance.   Her company, Koplovitz & Company provides advisory services to entertainment companies, sports organizations, advertisers and distributors and advises companies on growth strategies.  The firm also invests in early to mid-stage companies in media and technology.

In 2000, Kay co-created Springboard Enterprises, a national organization that fosters venture capital investments in women-led high growth companies. She also co-founded Boldcap Ventures, a venture capital fund backed exclusively by leading women executives. Boldcap invests principally in early to mid stage companies in the media, technology, and healthcare sectors. Kay counts among her accomplishments the Presidential appointment as Chair of National Women's Business Council (1998-2001). She is the recipient of numerous awards and inductions for her leadership accomplishments in the areas of Media and Entrepreneurship.

Kay currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Liz Claiborne Inc. a $5 Billion company that designs and markets an extensive range of women's and men's fashion apparel and accessories across 38 brands in domestic and international markets; ION Media and CA, the world's leading independent IT management software company. Kay has previously served on the boards of Instinet, Oracle, Nabisco, General Re, and Sun New Media. She serves as trustee of The Paley Center for Media and Babson College and The University of Wisconsin. She holds a master's degree in Communications from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin as well as honorary doctorate degrees from Emerson College, St. John's University, Michigan State University and  Canasius College. A native of Milwaukee, Kay is married to private investor William C. Koplovitz, Jr.

Dr. Pamela Reilly Contag

Pamela R. Contag, Ph.D., is currently the CEO of Cygnet Biofuels and the CSO of Origen Therapeutics. Dr. Contag founded four venture-backed start-up companies; Xenogen Corp. completed a public offering in 2004 and was subsequently acquired; Cobalt Technologies, now in product demonstration; Cygnet Biofuels, developing low cost enzymes; and ConcentRx, a novel therapeutic for oncology indications. Dr. Contag was named one of the “Top 25 Women in Small Business” by Fortune magazine.

Contag has held various consulting and board positions, public, private and not-for-profit. Those positions include a consulting Professorship at Stanford School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics (1999-present), the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (1999-2005). Dr. Contag was a Director of Xenogen Corporation (Nasdaq) (1995-2005) and was CEO and Chairman of Cobalt Technologies (2005-2008) and a Delcath (Nasdaq) Board Member (2008-2011). She also joined in 2009 the DOE Biomass technology Advisory Committee and two nonprofit boards, Springboard Enterprises, an accelerator of women entrepreneurs and the Molecular Sciences Institute. In 2010 Dr. Contag joined the Merrick Engineering Consultancy specializing in the energy field.

With more than 25 years of microbiology research experience, Dr. Contag is widely published in the field of Microbiology and Optical imaging and has over 36 patents and patent applications. Dr. Contag received her Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1989 and completed her Postdoctoral Training at Stanford University School of Medicine in 1993 specializing in “Host/Pathogen Interactions”.

Lauren Flanagan
Founder & CEO, SCIO Corp
Co-founder & Managing Director, Phenomenelle Angels Fund, LP and BELLE Capital, LP

Ms. Flanagan is Managing Partner of BELLE Capital, LP, an early stage Fund that invests in high growth companies in the Midwest and other underserved geographic markets. She is also a Managing Partner of the Phenomenelle Angels Fund, and chief executive officer of strategic advisory firm, SCIO Corp. Ms. Flanagan has more than 25 years experience in founding and operating technology companies, and has invested in 30 companies in the past 7 years. Before founding SCIO Corp, Ms. Flanagan co-founded WebWare Corporation, a leader in digital asset management, and served as WebWare's chairman and chief executive officer for 7 years. WebWare, one of the first Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, was acquired in 2003. Prior to WebWare, Ms. Flanagan co-founded 4 technology companies and consulted for high technology leaders including Apple, Atari, HP, IBM, Microsoft, NeXT, Texas Instruments and Xerox. A Springboard finalist in January 2000, Ms. Flanagan received Trailblazer Awards in 2000 and 2001 from the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. She was also awarded IT Software CEO of the Year for 2002 by Frost and Sullivan. BusinessWeek selected her as one of the Top 25 Angels in Tech in 2010. Springboard Enterprises recognized her with their Northstar award in 2011. Ms. Flanagan is Executive Chairman at Current Motor Company, chairman of the board at HarQen Inc., and serves on the boards of directors of Springboard Enterprises and Michelle's Miracle Inc. Ms. Flanagan also serves on Dell’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence Advisory Board, on the Angel Capital Association's collaboration committee and is an active investor on Angel List.

Calvin L. Hackeman
Retired Partner, Grant Thornton LLP

Cal retired from Grant Thornton LLP as of January 31, 2012, after more than 36 years with the firm.  He most recently served as National Managing Partner of the Technology Industry Practice at Grant Thornton LLP, the US member firm of Grant Thornton International, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations. Grant Thornton is a dynamic organization focused on serving public and private dynamic, growing organizations in our chosen markets.

Cal’s leadership at Grant Thornton has also included a career-long commitment to community leadership. Cal serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of Springboard Enterprises. In the past, Cal has served on the Commercial Policy Board of Directors of TechAmerica and on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA), Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, the Northern Virginia Minority Business Association, the Professional Services Council, the Reston Board of Commerce, the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Jaycees and the Greater Manassas Jaycees. He is a past president of the Reston Board of Commerce, the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Manassas Jaycees. He also served as an appointed member of the Manassas, Virginia Downtown Revitalization Committee and the Manassas, Virginia Business Council. He has been active in numerous local and national civic and charitable organizations.

Ellen Hancock
Consultant

Ellen Hancock is a long-time technology manager. She is best known for her 29-year tenure at IBM, where she rose to the position of senior vice president in charge of network hardware and software. She ran the networking hardware division through the first half of the 1990s, at a time when it produced double digit gains in market share year after year. (The same division was ultimately sold to Cisco in 1999.) She was also a member of the IBM Corporate Executive Committee and the IBM Worldwide Management Council. In September 1995 she started with National Semiconductor as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), after being lured from IBM by Gil Amelio. She worked closely with Amelio to move National Semiconductor to profitability. In May 1996 she again joined Amelio at Apple Computer where she took over the Chief Technology Officer role. After Apple she took the CEO position with Exodus Communications in March 1998, and became chairman of the board in 2000. While leading Exodus she set a NASDAQ record of 19 consecutive quarters of 40 percent quarter-over-quarter revenue growth. Her next gig was as President, COO, and secretary to the board of Acquicor, a company she co-founded with Amelio and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. The company served as a 'blank check' holding company which acquired Jazz Semiconductor.

Hancock is a member on the boards of several companies, including Aetna, Colgate-Palmolive, Ripcord Networks, Marist College and Santa Clara University. She is also a board member of non-profit venture catalyst Springboard Enterprises. She is a graduate from the College of New Rochelle, and obtained a master's degree in mathematics from Fordham University.

Key Staff:

Amy Millman
President, Springboard Enterprises

Amy Millman is a passionate advocate for women entrepreneurs building Big Businesses Starting Small.  In 2000, she co-founded Springboard Enterprises, a non-profit venture catalyst which sources, coaches, showcases and supports women-led companies seeking equity capital for product development and expansion.  Springboard has assisted hundreds
of women entrepreneurs in raising billions in investments and connecting with thousands of expert resources.  The successes of Springboard entrepreneurs include 10 IPOs, legions of high value M&As and a community of accomplished serial entrepreneurs.  During her career in Washington, DC, she served as a representative for several industry groups and was appointed as Executive Director of the National Women’s Business Council during the Clinton Administration. She served on the boards of many organizations including her current service with JumpStart Inc. and Enterprising Women Magazine.  She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and holds a Masters degree from The George Washington University.

Joshua Henderson
Director of Programming, Springboard Enterprises

Joshua Henderson is responsible for organizing, managing, and ensuring the success of Springboard’s programs and events. He manages the organization’s signature program, the Venture Forum, and is the coordinator for Springboard’s membership Trust. Previously, Joshua founded and chaired the Georgetown University Social Entrepreneurship Competition and he contributed to the development of the entrepreneurship programming at the University organizing lecture series, pitch competitions, and other related events. He graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Psychology and English.

Katie Gage

Manager of Programming, Springboard Enterprises

As the Manager of Programming for Springboard Enterprises, Gage assists the Director of Programming to manage SBE's signature program, the Venture Forum, as well as manage Springboard's newest programs such as Build It Big, and organize events involving high-growth women-led businesses, women entrepreneurs, and access to venture capital. Prior to Springboard Enterprises, Gage lived and worked in Santiago, Chile where she was responsible for teaching business English to high-level executives at International companies such as Oracle, Ernst & Young, Johnson Controls and SalfaCorp.

While in Chile, she worked with young adults near Concepcion, to advance environmental awareness in an effort to keep a public beach clean for the local community. She also co-founded and led an earthquake relief fund to leverage international donations for targeted earthquake relief efforts. Through the fund, Gage delivered nets to fishing villages, devastated by the tsunami and heating to local schools that had been looted in the wake of the disaster. She has a BA in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from Southern Methodist University, where she received the Hunt Leadership Scholar Award.