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David Favela, Director
A San Diego native, David grew up in North San Diego city of Escondido. He earned his BA from Chico State, an MBA from UC San Diego and is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton University. He worked 22 years at Hewlett-Packard Inc., in a variety of roles ranging from global supply chain, patent licensing, new business development and eventually, led the HP Global Education Solutions. In 2019, he left the corporate world and took a leadership position at Border X Brewing and Mujeres Brew House, helping drive significant growth despite the effects of the pandemic.
Throughout all these roles, he has always been involved with coaching, inspiring and nurturing new business growth from helping establish the Mexican Silicon Valley in Guadalajara Mexico to motivating grassroots businesses in Barrio Logan to succeed. He has a tremendous passion for helping others succeed, and believes that we are all better off when we provide opportunities to all regardless of their backgrounds.
As the new Director of Talent Foundry from UC San Diego’s Office of Innovation & Commercialization, he looks forward to partnering with all the local entrepreneurs, non-profits, private sector and government leaders in creating a powerful, resilient and innovative business ecosystem.
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Christiana Russell
Christiana Russell, M. Ed is the owner of Mended Wing Consulting, LLC, an agency that focuses on strategic grant writing, grant planning and process management services for Universities, Nonprofits, small business owners and entrepreneurs. Christiana’s early years began in South Central LA, but was later moved by her parents to Tucson, AZ where she earned her BA & M. Ed at University of Arizona & Northern Arizona University, respectively. Ms. Russell has over 15 years’ experience in the federal, state and local grant funding and management sector serving in the Mental Health, Prevention Education, and Healthcare industries operating as an advocate and servant leader with a mission to impact social justice issues. Over the last three years, she has worked in the tech and innovation space as Partner & COO at We Tha Plug, an organization that works to build a strong ecosystem that ensures Pan African & Latinx entrepreneurs and startups leverage every opportunity to advance from ideation, pre-seed and series A funding. She believes creating a safe community that fosters support and empowerment is key to sustaining present and future underrepresented founders.