Meet the xi mentors
Mentors
Rob Andzik is a seasoned aerospace and technology leader with deep expertise in satellite systems, software engineering, and humanitarian leadership. Rob currently serves as Chairman of Lalmba, supporting sustainable healthcare and development in rural Africa.
Rob Andzik
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Neil Arthur is an accomplished CEO with deep expertise in business growth, turnaround, and strategic transformation across media, manufacturing, and tech.
Neil Arthur
BUSINESS GROWTH
Andrew Bartholomew is a trusted advisor and leadership coach with a passion for helping businesses align talent with culture. With a background in finance and experience at EY, Andrew brings deep insight into strategic decision making, hiring, and team development.
Andrew Bartholomew
STRATEGIC ADVIsing
Chris Bless is a seasoned CPA and middle-market investment banker with deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions. He has advised on over 300 transactions and founded BiggsKofford Capital, the M&A arm of a Colorado-based CPA firm.
Chris Blees
INVestment Banking
Patty Bonsera is a coffee consultant and founder of Resilient Coffee Academy, where she helps specialty coffee businesses prepare for and navigate crises. She also leads Local Coffee Talk, a magazine and podcast celebrating local coffee culture.
Patty Bonsera
Business consulting
Austin Buckett specializes in guiding small to medium-sized businesses through critical financial decisions, from acquisitions to succession planning. With expertise in M&A, financial due diligence, and forecasting.
Tony DeLollis is a technology executive with over 25 years of experience leading and turning around software companies. He specializes in aligning strategy, culture, and operations to drive revenue and customer growth.
Austin Bucket
INVEstment banking
Patrick Bultema is a veteran entrepreneur and CEO known for leading innovation-driven companies across multiple industries. As President of The Eden Alternative, he brings fresh leadership to aging services, applying startup thinking to drive meaningful change.
Patrick Bultema
SOFTWARE engineering
Kristopher Cargile is a seasoned technologist, 8-time founder, and trusted advisor to executives and investors. With 30 years of experience, he specializes in aligning technology with business goals to drive confident, high-ROI decisions.
Kristopher Cargile
Tech Consulting & software developnment
Glenn Carlson is an expert in global project management and financial operations, with a focus on strategy, execution, and social impact. He brings international experience and a passion for mentoring diverse, high-performing teams.
Glenn Carlson
business growth
Steve Crosby is a certified leadership coach with deep experience helping professionals and teams grow through meaningful, lasting change. His mindful, practical approach supports leaders in aligning their actions with their values.
Steve Crosby
Business growth
Chris Davis is a leadership development expert with over 20 years of experience. He founded Terrace Leadership Development and partners with Leadership Management International to help leaders and teams grow. Chris is passionate about empowering positive, lasting change.
Chris Davis
Performance Improvement
Florian de Castro is a leadership professional with over 25 years of experience in military and federal government roles. He is an entrepreneur focused on helping others start and grow businesses through education, networking, and funding.
Florian de Castro
Leadership & management
Tony DeLollis
Technology Consulting
Michael DeVous Jr. helps leaders turn fear into fuel for growth through coaching, speaking, and workshops. He guides clients to build confidence, lead authentically, and achieve peak performance.
Michael Devous Jr
Performance & Communication consulting
Bethany Drosendahl combines a background in accounting with a passion for empowering others to master personal finance. With experience in public and corporate accounting, she helps people build healthy money habits by making mindful financial choices.
Bethany Drosendahl
Public accounting
Marcial Dumlao is a Certified FocalPoint Coach and founder of Cool Persistence Coaching, LLC. With a background in military and federal service, he empowers leaders and teams through expert coaching in growth and leadership.
Marcial Dumlao
business consulting
Jeff Emrich is a software entrepreneur specializing in B2B SaaS, with a strong focus on product strategy and ease-of-use. He now helps other SaaS companies grow through business strategy, marketing, and technology guidance.
Jeff Emrich
software engineering
Sebastian Ertelt is Patent Director at FPL in Colorado Springs with 18 years of engineering experience, mainly at Bobcat Company. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, with expertise spanning product design, manufacturing, quality control, and patents.
Sebastian Ertelt
property mangement
Sonny Espinoza is an IT professional with 20 years of experience in software development, agile transformation, and enterprise program management. He has held leadership roles across IT, R&D, and program delivery, with a strong focus on mission-critical systems and quality-driven solutions.
Sonny Espinoza
Software development
Heather Florio is CEO of Desert Harvest, leading innovation in aloe vera–based health products. She’s been recognized as a Top 50 Woman in Wellness and has spoken at the White House on international trade.
Heather Florio
Product development
Chris Franz is Managing Director of Pioneer Fund and a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience founding and scaling tech-driven startups. He has built over 10 companies across sectors like real estate, finance, energy, and healthcare, with a focus on data and innovation.
Chris Franz
Technology Mangement
Gary Gaessler is a 3x SaaS founder with successful exits, including Cloud Elements and VoipReview. Currently VP of Sales at Nventify, he’s a frequent tech conference speaker and mentor with Techstars, Telluride, and Founder Institute.
Gary Gaessler
technology & leadership
David Goodstein is a seasoned Fractional CFO with nearly 40 years of experience helping small businesses grow. He specializes in financial strategy, reporting, and capital management, while empowering business owners to understand their numbers and make informed decisions.
David Goodstein
business growth & financial management
John Graaff is Senior Partner and Owner at Core Capital. As founder and CEO, he oversees strategic direction and provides M&A advisory services to clients nationwide.
John Graaff
Strategic advising
Jacob Harris is a seasoned technical executive with 20+ years leading software development and driving innovation. He excels in optimizing product performance, revenue growth, and aligning technology strategy with business goals. Skilled in SaaS/PaaS, AI/ML, DevOps, and electronics manufacturing.
Jacob Harris
Software development
Keith Hessel is a retention consultant and founder of Serve Business Consulting LLC. He helps small businesses create loyal customers and happy teams using his SERVE model—Smile, Engage, Relate, Verify, Extra Mile. 20 years in customer service
Keith Hessel
business consulting
Stephanie Hubbard is a Product Experience Director with 20+ years in UX, product design, and innovation. She leads cross-functional teams to turn insights into impactful tech solutions across IoE, AI, and edge computing.
Stephanie Hubbard
Product experience & product development
Rahul Kasat is a global business leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and a track record of launching and scaling ventures worldwide. He currently serves as Vice President at 3D Systems Corporation, bringing deep expertise in business growth and strategic leadership.
Rahul Kasat
business growth
Mago Lauritzen is a multi-studio owner with 14+ years of experience helping studio owners grow and automate their businesses. He leads Springs Dance in Colorado Springs and also runs a tuition billing company and marketing software service, all built on strong team leadership.
Mago Lauritzen
dance studio growth
Regina Lewis is the CEO of ReginaSpeaking, working with organizations worldwide including companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions. She specializes in leadership development, organizational communication, strategic planning and public speaking training.
Dr. Regina Lewis
Educational resource consulting
Russell Long is Founder and CEO of Long Capture, helping companies secure DoD funding since 2017. His team specializes in SBIR and Phase III support, enabling tech startups to deliver solutions to the military.
Russell Long
funding strategy
Becky Mancero is an attorney focused on venture capital and startups, advising companies through all stages of growth. She also supports social enterprises and leads team development as SPZ’s Chief People Officer.
Becky Mancero
Corporate & transactional law
Larry Marine, a UX consultant with 30 years of experience shaping top designs for brands like Proflowers, Vanguard, American Airlines, and FedEx. He’s helped Colorado startups, including tripling revenue for Space Together.
Larry Marine
ux & Ai Research
Heather McBroom is an Executive Director with 25+ years across insurance, legal, and business management. Entrepreneur and mentor focused on helping others succeed. Awarded 2023 Small Business Champion of the Year.
Heather McBroom
business & construction management
Patrick McDavid is a software enginerer and architect, skilled in C#, Python, AWS, and web APIs. CTO of BombBomb, focused on team building and scalable software. Holds a BA in Philosophy and Sustainable Development.
Patrick McDavid
software development
JD McKenna is the founder of ScaledCapability, helping businesses innovate and align their models with future goals. He specializes in Business Model Innovation using the Business Model Canvas to translate plans into customer-focused, profitable processes.
JD McKenna
IT & business management
Nancy Moore is a creative professional with expertise in marketing communications, photography, and wellness. She blends technical writing and product promotion with artistic visual storytelling through photography. She also advocates for healthy living.
Nancy Moore
marketing & communcations
Matt Neigh is a SaaS sales leader who drives growth by building high-performing global teams and leading major transitions like shifting to SaaS licensing. He’s a hands-on coach and culture builder who aligns Sales, Customer Success, Product, and Marketing for faster results.
Matt Neigh
sales & customer success
Kelly Parthen Co-CEO of Bean Sprouts, cookbook author, and member of The Female Founders Collective, focused on creative, healthy food experiences for families.
Kelly Parthen
strategic advising
Suzanne Qualia is an executive coach who helps leaders navigate complexity, build trust, and drive performance using neuroscience-based strategies. A former global supply chain leader, she now coaches executives across industries including tech, finance, and healthcare.
Suzanne Qualia
leadership & development
Rocio Scott is a bilingual Business Access Advisor with over 10 years of experience in banking. She supports entrepreneurs in developing business plans and strategies, while connecting them to key resources to drive sustainable growth and help close the racial wealth gap in BIPOC communities.
Rocio Scott
business advising
Todd Smith is Executive Director at Level 5 Financial, specializing in holistic wealth planning, tax mitigation, and business optimization. 20+ years in financial services and multiple top industry designations, he helps business owners and protect their wealth through a Virtual Family Office model.
Todd Smith
financial management
Jeremy Spartz is the founder of Lyrics2Learn, a music-based reading program that has delivered over 4 million lessons globally. He’s now focused on expanding its reach through strategic partnerships.
Jeremy Spartz
education & literacy development
John Thies is an entrepreneur and former CEO/co-founder of Email on Acid, sold to Pathwire/Thoma Bravo in 2021. With 20+ years leading and growing SMBs, he excels in leadership, data-driven decisions, product development, and team building.
John Thies
Business management & product development
Ethan Thompson is a climate tech entrepreneur and founder of Chirpie, an AI-powered wildlife discovery startup. A self-taught inventor with multiple pending patents, he creates innovative solutions to address climate change.
Ethan Thompson
Programming & inventing
Suzanne Tulien is a Brand Clarity Expert, Author, and Speaker with 20+ years as an entrepreneur. She helps consultants and coaches clarify their brand and stand out authentically.
Suzanne Tulien
brand development
Dave VanderJagt brings 20 years of experience building high-performing B2B revenue teams focused on predictable, scalable growth. He helps companies design profitable growth strategies that align marketing, sales, and customer success while supporting ownership’s exit goals.
Dave VanderJagt
Business & marketing consulting
Linda Weise is President and CEO of Opus Creative Industries and founder of the Colorado Springs Conservatory. She serves on several boards, including Opera Colorado and the Colorado Humanities Board, and is an Honorary Commander at the US Air Force Academy.
Linda Weise
business leadership
John Weiss is the co-founder and former publisher of the Colorado Springs Independent. He has played a key role in promoting local journalism and civic engagement.
John Weiss
communications
“As a mentor, it has been extremely rewarding to work with the amazing teams that have participated in the XI Accelerator program. Not only do I get to give back to the talented entrepreneurs that are drawn to the unique value of XI's curriculum, but I also get the opportunity to learn how to better hone my own skills in teaching and guiding others.”
Leif Ullman, Mentor & XI Board Member
Interested in becoming a mentor?
Apply to join our team.
Given XI’s mentorship-driven model, XI mentors are essential for guiding startups through their toughest stages, advising on operational difficulties, and expanding their networks. Here are some of the things that XI looks for in a mentor:
Startup Experience: Whether prior founder or operator, XI mentors have real-world experience with early-stage tech startups
Connected: XI mentors come from many backgrounds, and are willing to bring in their broader network when appropriate
Mission-Oriented: XI mentors want to give back and support the emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem
Long-Term Thinker: XI mentors are committed to helping mentees identify key problems and set up the right strategic plan to tackle it, and to do this again during the next inflection point of that startup’s journey
Encouragement: Although part of a mentor’s job is to be critical of XI startups, they ultimately encourage the startups to achieve their goals and are some of the startup’s greatest advocates