In June of 2024, three incredible supporters of mHUB stepped down from the organization's Board of Directors after years of dedicated service: Mark Tebbe, Nicole Wolter, and Ushma Kriplani. mHUB caught up with Mark and Nicole to capture what it was like sitting on the mHUB board and how they witnessed the organization transform over the years.
Mark Tebbe - 9 Years of Service
Mark Tebbe is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Chicago Polsky Center where he aids students in their entrepreneurial efforts and helps other professors enhance their classes. Tebbe is an active angel investor, founded two NASDAQ-listed corporations, and has been involved in many startup and growth ventures over the past thirty years. Tebbe previously served as the Chairman of ChicagoNEXT, a dedicated public-private effort to improve Chicago’s competitiveness in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. He has supported mHUB since before its official launch in 2017.
How did you first get involved with mHUB? When I was serving as Chair of WBC’s ChicagoNEXT program and we were exploring new innovation hubs for Chicago, I had been elected to focus on what had been referred to as ‘Pillar One’, namely manufacturing. Working collaboratively with that program’s lead (and eventual mHUB CEO) Haven Allen, a very detailed approach and plan was crafted and approved by WBC’s Executive Committee (of which I was a member). Once approved by WBC’s full board, we executed that plan and mHUB was launched.
How have you seen mHUB evolve since joining its board and has anything surprised you about its evolution? Since joining mHUB’s original board, we have always had aspirational plans and goals; however, we continue to not just meet but often dramatically exceed those goals. Whether obtaining a very favorable lease to one of Chicago’s largest innovation hub locations to receiving numerous contributions (or long-term loans) of amazing equipment for our members, mHUB continues to redefine what a hardtech innovation hub should be. We have shown the world what drives manufacturing in Chicago but even more so how an innovation center can push even historical industries forward. Given the remaining talent on mHUB's Board, I remain confident that the best impacts are yet to come.
What’s one of your favorite memories from your time serving mHUB? While I have many to draw from such as opening our former-Motorola facility on Chicago Avenue, having Mayor Emanuel using a plasma cutter during that facility’s ‘ribbon cutting’, or our many industry-related events, my most favorite is also one of our most recent. Namely my favorite memory is the collaborative efforts of our mHUB management, Board members, Executive Committee leadership, external partners, as well as City and State leadership to purchase, restore and open mHUB's facility on Fulton. While it was hard to accomplish, this transaction instilled mHUB as a long-term presence in the manufacturing industry and will continue to improve and expand this critical environment for Chicago and the Midwest.
Nicole Wolter - 3 Years of Service
Nicole M. Wolter is the President and CEO of HM Manufacturing. With a background in engineering and finance, Nicole joined HM in 2009, working a variety of departments including accounting, quoting, sales and marketing and was later promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2015. Nicole has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing including in-depth training on manual lathes and milling machines, and she is NIMS and CAD certified. She serves on the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) Executive Board and the TMA Education Foundation Board. Nicole is a Member of the Board of Directors to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce where she promotes legislation and public policies designed to stimulate economic growth and increase Illinois’s business climate. She served mHUB for three years on its Board of Directors.
How did you first get involved with mHUB- I had the pleasure of getting involved with mHUB by attending an open house where I got to see first-hand how mHUB impacts the tech, startup, and manufacturing community. The amount of support, networking, and opportunity that was showcased at the open house was impressive and where I really wanted to know more and get involved in a higher way.
How have you seen mHUB evolve since joining its board and has anything surprised you about its evolution? Since joining the board to now, mHUB has transformed into a real powerhouse. Between the new cohorts, start up incubators, equitable access to underrepresented entrepreneurs and finally the big one, the NEW building. To be a part of the new headquarters where more startups and programs came happen with state-of-the-art facility and equipment really has been an honor to be a part of and witness.
What’s one of your favorite memories from your time serving mHUB? My favorite part during my time on the board at mHUB was being a mentor for the Catalyze program for women in the start up phase. Getting to know these ladies and help drive their success with capital and access to manufacturing their physical products was very rewarding. The amount of effort that the team at mHUB contribute to so many programs, cohorts, partners, and so much more has impacted me in more ways than I could ever give back. I look forward to continuing these efforts and donating where I can.
Ushma Kriplani - 9 Years of Service
Dr. Ushma Kriplani serves as the Interim Associate Laboratory Director for the Science and Technology Partnerships and Outreach directorate at Argonne National Laboratory. Prior to becoming Interim Associate Laboratory Director for the Science and Technology Partnerships and Outreach directorate, she worked as a Business Development Executive within the Technology Commercialization and Partnerships Division, and more recently, as Manager of Strategic Planning and Initiatives.
Before Argonne, Dr. Kriplani was a Senior Systems Engineer with NanoSonix, a startup with a focus on novel devices and instrumentation for high-tech and biotech industries. She's worked in several technology and business development roles at startups and at Schlumberger Doll Research in the energy industry. Ushma has also supported mHUB since before its official launch in 2017.
mHUB extends a heartfelt thank you to Mark, Nicole, and Ushma for their unwavering support of the organization through incredible growth and opportunity. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the organization, and mHUB looks forward to many more years of connect and collaboration in different capacities. Hats off to these three leaders and impact makers.
With gratitude - team mHUB.
