Aiyana is a Marquette native who is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, listening to music, and spending time with her family. Aiyana is also an avid traveler who loves to experience new places and cultures, a passion that was cultivated after a summer spent traveling Europe. After graduation, Aiyana hopes to move out west to pursue a career as a graphic artist.

Grant is our current Industrial Designer studying Human Centered Design at Northern Michigan University. With a background in graphic design and woodworking, Grant also grew up working on small engines. He serves as the ambassador for the Board and Ski Club and enjoys snowboarding, skateboarding, fishing, camping, and constructing road bikes. After he graduates, Grant wishes to pursue an experience building position at a well known product or furniture design firm while doing freelance work, of which he hopes to evolve into his own firm someday.

Maddie is a Student Graphic Designer here at Invent@NMU, who enjoys spending her time hiking around Marquette or in the garden with her nieces and nephews. Maddie also enjoys sketching and writing out stories that teach people about different mythologies and histories. After graduation Maddie wants to travel the world, study ancient cultures, and pursue a career that involves the preservation of World Heritage Sites or another position that advocates for cultural and environmental preservation.

Tiffany is a non-traditional NMU student in the school of Art & Design with a concentration in Graphic Design. As a creative, she enjoys engaging in Marquette’s art scene and photographing the beauty of the area. As an adventurer, she enjoys swimming and hiking with her husband and pup. In addition to experience as a reporter, writer, and graphic designer, Tiffany runs an up-and-coming wedding + elopement photography/videography business based in Marquette, MI.

Ray Johnson has over 20 years of start-up industry experience, with a duel role as the CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Executive Director of Invent@NMU. Ray has been involved in his own start-ups and has also coached and mentored other entrepreneurs in helping to launch new startups and has secured over $100 million in financing for new businesses. His own businesses have generated almost 200 international patents and trademark filings. Before moving to Marquette, Ray was a faculty-lecturer at the University of Colorado’s Deming School for Entrepreneurship and Director of the CU-Cleantech Center. In his free time Ray enjoys golfing, biking, and traveling.

Chad is a Math and Computer Science guy with a love for the arts and the outdoors. An NMU grad, Chad is hoping to work on his Masters and would love to one day be a college math professor. In his downtime, Chad explores Marquette and the surrounding wilderness with his fiancé and two guinea pigs, Ludo and Luna.

Jason is the Project Management Lead at Invent@NMU and Innovate Marquette SmartZone, and oversees all of the projects that come through our door. He was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, and is a 2017 graduate of NMU. In his free time, Jason loves doing a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. As an avid sports fanatic, he enjoys playing softball with friends and watching various sports.

Kristen King is the NMU Principle Secretary for Invent@NMU, but it’s not just our office that she manages. Kristen refers to herself as the “King Family Manager” and spends much of her time with her husband Steve and their kids Julia and Dylan bustling around for gymnastics, hockey, track, and soccer. In her free time, Kristen loves exercising, trying new recipes, and relaxing with friends. She also loves to organize, and can be found shopping, traveling, or somewhere in the sun.

Kylie is another one of our Marquette natives, and carries her Yooper background with pride. After graduating in 2011 from NMU, she moved to Chicago and worked for 8 years in the public relations industry. In 2018, Kylie moved back to Marquette with her husband and became the Marketing Manager for Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Invent@NMU. She is an avid sports fan, founder of Barley’s Angels U.P., and teaches dance at New Attitudes Dance Studios. Kylie enjoys camping, four-wheeling, boating, and watching Bravo TV in her free time.

Paulette is a Marquette-born NMU graduate who is the Operations and Finance Manager for Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Invent@NMU. She enjoys traveling and is looking forward to finding her roots while exploring the Finnish Arctic Circle. During summer free time, you can find her at her family’s cottage in Big Bay where she finds peace and serenity from beautiful Lake Superior. Long winter nights you will find her in front of the TV watching the train wreck that is Bravo TV with her bulldog, Marty the Meatball, and Charlie the cat.

Rachel was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and is the Program Manager at Invent@NMU and Innovate Marquette SmartZone. She graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2016 with a degree in Entrepreneurship, prior to which she worked at Invent@NMU as a student Project Manager. Outside of work Rachel participates in competitive target archery, is learning Soo Bahk Do, acts as the awards secretary for the regional field archery association, and is on the board of Connect Marquette, Marquette’s young professionals network . She enjoys a good book and playing or listening to music, often with her two adorable cats curled up somewhere nearby.