MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech’s weVENTURE Women’s Business Center announced today the addition of nine accomplished business and community leaders to its advisory board. The new members bring deep expertise spanning aerospace and defense, healthcare, fund development and philanthropy, human resources, entrepreneurship, supply chain, culture and leadership development, and community-based advocacy.
The now 26-member volunteer advisory board helps guide weVENTURE WBC strategy, programming and events, ensuring the organization’s services reflect and respond to the evolving needs of the community. Board members also serve as ambassadors—advocating in the community, helping recruit clients, mentors and donors, and expanding brand awareness through their circles of influence.
“weVENTURE WBC is powered by community leaders who believe in expanding economic opportunity and strengthening our small-business ecosystem,” said Executive Director Kathryn Rudloff, DBA. “We are excited and proud to welcome this outstanding group of new members. Their expertise, leadership and commitment will help us continue to deliver high-impact coaching, education and events that meet entrepreneurs where they are and help them grow.”
The new members are listed below, followed by their employer if applicable and a short professional snapshot.
- Jessica Cartagena Assam: Philanthropy consultant with over 20 years in fund development and event planning; weVENTURE WBC Athena leadership program graduate.
- Charlene Butler (L3Harris Technologies): director, Agile Missions, Space & Airborne Systems; Athena leadership program graduate and former participant in the L3Harris GM accelerated leadership rotation program.
- Natasha Butler (Commonwealth Fusion Systems): Senior Manager of Supplier Integration with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic sourcing and supplier integration; Chair of the Building Our Economic Wealth Committee, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Pi Omega Chapter.
- Lisa Crites (Inventor and Entrepreneur): Award-winning inventor of The SHOWER SHIRT®, a patented, water-resistant garment designed to protect chest surgery patients; a breast cancer survivor who recently sold her company and is writing a book to be published in 2026.
- Meeta Gandhi (Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital): Chief Operations Officer overseeing hospital operations and program development; recently relocated to Brevard County and is eager to support community impact.
- Khalilah Maragh (Florida Realty Results): Community advocate active with the Brevard Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Association and a weVENTURE WBC volunteer helping plan small business education events.
- Eyad Mubaied (Cultivate Culture LLC): Founder and CEO; author and culture strategist supporting organizations with values-driven leadership and team performance; brings extensive corporate finance and leadership experience, as well as the perspective from launching a business in 2024.
- Megan Patel (Alluvionic): Director of Human Resources and Facility Security Officer; Athena leadership program graduate with expertise in people operations and organizational leadership.
- Inez van Ravenzwaaij (Evergreen Private Care): Business development leader and recent Athena leadership program graduate; represents the Treasure Coast and is committed to elevating women’s leadership and entrepreneurship.
The new members join an all-star lineup of advisory board members continuing their service:
Sandra Burge (Seacoast Bank) • Ashleigh Caswell (Rolle IT) • Susan Glasgow (Kegman, Inc.) • Iris Graham (Millefiori Aesthetics) • Melyn Joseph (Truist Bank) • Cinthia Kettering (CMK Global Consulting LLC) • Tina Lange (Hibiscus Key Realty) • Karen Montas (Montas Turner, PA) • Stacy Nicklow, Ph.D. (Florida Tech) • Linda Radencic (TD Bank) • Theodore Richardson, Ph.D. (Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at Florida Tech) • Hazel Sorensen (PNC Bank) • Betty Lou Steen-Clarke (Volunteer and women’s advocate) • Rebekah Stovall Fifer (Health First) • Kelly Swartz (Widerman Malek, PL) • Leslie Tibbetts (Community Credit Union) • Bill West (West Advisory)
Together with community partners, sponsors and volunteer mentors, weVENTURE is building a thriving and diverse small business ecosystem across Florida’s Space and Treasure Coasts. View impact data and client testimonials in the 2025 Annual Report released in December.
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About weVENTURE Women’s Business Center
weVENTURE WBC, launched in 2007 at Florida Tech, accelerates growth for entrepreneurs on the Space and Treasure coasts by providing FREE coaching, low and no-cost business education and mentorship programs. weVENTURE WBC also provides leadership development and purposeful networking events. weVENTURE WBC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and while the program markets to women, services are available to all entrepreneurs. For more information or to register for weVENTURE WBC courses and mentorship programs, visit https://weventure.fit.edu/ or call 321-674-7007.
