Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship Team
Our Team
John Stavig
Managing Director
612-625-2485
[email protected]
Aks Zaheer
Academic Director
Professor & Department Chair
Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship
Kailin Oliver
Associate Director, MN Cup
Phone: 612-625-9225
Email: [email protected]
Roy Wetterstrom
Undergraduate Director
Phone: 612-624-6817
Email: [email protected]
Deb Miedema
Innovator Outreach and Development Specialist, MIN-CORPS
Phone: 612-703-2010
Email: [email protected]
Kimberlie Moock
Director of Operations, Toaster Innovation Hub
Phone: 612-625-2841
Email: [email protected]
Holmes Center Internship Program - 2025 Holmes Center Interns
The Holmes Center Internship Program is an opportunity for students to get a front-row seat to Minnesota's growing and dynamic entrepreneur ecosystem. Past interns have gone on to join startups as well as industry-leading companies. Interested in joining the team? Send your resume to [email protected].
Bella Thuras
I am Bella Thuras, a Junior at Minnesota Carlson Studying Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management, with the hopes of getting into corporate event planning (and possibly my own business)! At the Holmes Center I do a little bit of everything, but my focus has been on Naturally MN and WE*.
Fun fact: I have earned my white belt in Taekwondo.
Ryan Olk
(He/Him)
I am from Eden Prairie, MN, and extremely excited to be a part of the HCE team. I love all things outdoors and enjoy playing sports and guitar in my free time.
Fun fact: I love building Legos
Jake White
(He/Him)
I am Jake White, a third-year student at Minnesota Carlson, majoring in Entrepreneurial Management and Finance. I aspire to start my own business, and I am excited to join and work with the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship team. I enjoy being active outside, playing pickleball, and learning new things.
Fun Fact: I have snowboarded on a volcano
Yasin Abuelgasim
(he/him)
I’m Yasin Abuelgasim, an aspiring creative director studying Strategic Communications and Public Relations at the Hubbard School of Journalism. Outside of school, I’m a passionate music lover and artist, and I spend a lot of time meditating, reading, and exploring the arts. My work at the Holmes Center focuses on graphic design, and I am deeply grateful to be part of HCE, where I get to dive into a creative and innovative entrepreneurial community that inspires me to grow and think in new ways.
Fun fact: I chipped my tooth diving into a pool.
[email protected]
Luci Miller
(She/Her)
I am Luci Miller, a third-year Marketing student minoring in Business Analytics at Minnesota Carlson. I’m passionate about combining creative strategy with practical business solutions. I’m excited to bring my organizational skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset to the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship as a Marketing & Events Intern. In my free time, I enjoy swimming at the rec, hanging out with friends, and baking.
Fun Fact: I have a horrible fear of rings
Leona Sewali
(She/Her)
Hi, I’m Leona Sewali, a second-year student at Minnesota Carlson, where I’m double majoring in Entrepreneurial Management and Marketing. As a Marketing and Events Intern at the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, I’m excited to work with such a talented team and contribute to the innovative projects and initiatives at the Center. My interests include entrepreneurship, marketing, and real estate, and I’m always looking for new ways to expand my knowledge in these areas. Outside of academics and work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and hanging out with friends, which allow me to explore new cultures and unwind in my free time.
Fun Fact: I have been to over 10 countries!
Emily Hua
(She/Her)
Hi, I’m Emily Hua, a first-year student at Minnesota Carlson and a Marketing and Events Intern at the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship. I'm excited to apply my skills, grow professionally, and collaborate with the team to support entrepreneurship and innovation! In my free time, I enjoy cooking new recipes, doing mat yoga, and reading.
Fun Fact: I drink matcha every day