The Esteemed Board of Directors of ICW® 501c3 Non-Profit
Operating Worldwide and HQ’D in Philadelphia Suburbs. Wynnwood, PA
Chairwoman: CEO
Katie Kupstas
Executive Coach, IP Expert, Founder ICW®
Treasurer
Tod Kupstas
Principle Partner at Offit Kurman Law Firm
Board of advisors
Laura Rose
Director and Advisor to Educational Programs
Board of Advisors
Marcia Williams
Embellish Beauty Founder and CEO
Secretary
Madeleine Stavrianos
University of East London: Politics and International Relations Temple University MBA Student
Board of Advisors
Lea Tran
Tedx Speaker, Author Thought Leader
Board of Directors and ICW® 501c3 Mission Statement
At the Innovators Club for Women® (ICW®), our mission is to empower and inspire women (and any person who identifies as a woman or non-binary) and a few good men to excel in innovation and entrepreneurship. We are committed to creating an inclusive community that fosters creativity, provides mentorship, and offers resources and programs designed to support women at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Through education, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences, ICW® aims to break down barriers, encourage bold thinking, and nurture the next generation of women, those who identify as women, non-binary and underserved populations as leaders and innovators. Our goal is to ensure that they have the tools, confidence, and support needed to turn their innovative ideas into successful enterprises.
Innovation Foundation is a program
offered by Innovators Club for Women®
CEO and Chairwoman of the Board:
Katie Kupstas
Katie Kupstas is the visionary CEO of the Board of Directors and the Founder of the Inventors Club for Women® LLC and Innovators Club for Women® 501c3. With a robust background in leadership, innovation and public relations, Katie has been a driving force in fostering environments where creativity and strategic thinking thrive with a focus on increasing the low 13% of women patent holders in the United States.
Her journey began with a deep-seated passion for empowering women in the tech and innovation industry, leading her to establish the Inventors Club for Women®, a groundbreaking platform that has successfully mentored and supported numerous women entrepreneurs, those individuals that identify as women and non-binary. Through her leadership, the club has grown into a beacon of innovation, known for its impactful initiatives and contributions to the industry.
Katie's strategic acumen and commitment to excellence are evident in her role as CEO, where she oversees decisions and drives the organization's vision forward. Her tenure is marked by a series of strategic initiatives that have bolstered the organization's standing in the industry, attracting top-tier talent and forging key partnerships.
She has also been a keynote speaker at industry conferences, where her insights on leadership and innovation have inspired many.
Katie’s blend of professional experience and dedication to empowering women in tech makes her a standout leader and an invaluable asset to any organization.
Katie resides with her husband and 3 children in Wynnewood, PA (Lower Merion Township) outside Philadelphia, PA.
For investors, Katie represents not only a leader with a proven track record but also a visionary who is continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the innovation industry. Her leadership ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of innovation, making her an ideal candidate for driving sustained growth and success.
Board of Directors: Director and Advisor to Educational Programs: Laura Rose
Laura Rose is a New Jersey native who has lived for significant portions of her life in Florida and New York City. She attended the University of Florida obtaining both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, graduating in 2009.
Laura is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of experience. She began her career in the corporate world at BBDO, a global advertising agency in NYC. While she loved working in this exciting field, her heart pulled her to the classroom. Laura worked as a middle school math teacher for 13 years. She worked for 5 years in charter schools in Garfield, NJ and Harlem, NY, educating students from low socioeconomic and underserved communities. She then made the switch in 2016 to work in independent schools, at Trevor Day School in New York City and, currently, at The Peck School in Morristown, NJ.
Throughout her tenure in the classroom, she has held various roles including: Mathematics Department Chair, Grade Level Team Leader, Advisor, and Executive Producer, Co-Director, and Costume Director for multiple school musical productions. Additionally, she has served on multiple committees to support the strategic efforts of her school communities: teacher evaluation systems, hiring for administrators, Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Steering, DEIB Curriculum, and Movement. Laura was a pivotal member of the team that created her current school’s very first DEIB curriculum and helped to implement and teach these invaluable lessons to middle school students.
Laura has received training from various mathematical and leadership professional development courses at Philips Exeter Academy, The Heads Network, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), and Metamorphosis Teaching & Learning Communities.
As of Spring 2024, Laura was promoted into a new role, one of which was created for her as a result of her work and efforts, as the Dean of Students and Director of Auxiliary Programs at The Peck School.
Laura is a health and wellness enthusiast, loves to sing and dance, work out, spend time in nature, cook, read, and enjoy her beautiful family. She currently resides in Morris County, NJ with her husband and their two young sons.
Board of Directors: Secretary
Madeleine Stavrianos
Madeleine Stavrianos is an upcoming MBA student at Temple University. She has recently graduated from University of East London with an undergraduate degree in Politics and International Relations. Business and entrepreneurship have advanced with a focus on the future of work, evolving from her experiences at the student union over the past year.
Her contributions to The Innovators Club for Women® (501c3) and Inventors Club for Women® LLC have ignited a passion for intellectual property, which she plans to pursue throughout an MBA program. In the future, she envisions working in the IP field, either through consultancy, within a major corporation, or possibly leading her own company as CEO.
Board of Directors: Treasurer
Tod Kupstas
Tod Kupstas is the Principal Partner at Offit Kurman and a former Patent Examiner at the USPTO. With degrees in Anthropology and Physics from the University of Pennsylvania, alongside a JD from George Washington University, Tod brings a unique and multidisciplinary perspective to the Board of Directors at the Innovators Club for Women (ICW).
His diverse educational background equips him with a profound understanding of both the technical and human aspects of innovation. As a Patent Examiner, Tod developed a keen eye for detail and a deep knowledge of intellectual property law. His tenure in the corporate world, coupled with his experience at a research and development tech company, has honed his strategic and leadership skills.
Tod's comprehensive experience makes him exceptionally well-positioned to contribute to ICW®’s mission. His expertise in patent law, corporate strategy, and technological innovation enables him to provide invaluable insights and guidance. As a board member, Tod is dedicated to fostering an environment where creativity and innovation can thrive, ensuring that ICW® remains at the forefront of supporting and empowering women and the underserved in tech.
Board of Directors: Startup Advisor
Marcia Williams
Founder and CEO of Embellish Beauty is a celebrity makeup artist and product founder that worked for years with QVC® and continues to work with large companies such as Comcast, NBC Universal and Johnson and Johnson. She has a line of cosmetics that have been featured in national and local news outlets including the NY Times, the cover of Main Line Today, Fox Philly News and more.
She brings a wealth of knowledge to the startup community in addition to being a wife and a mother of two. Marcia brings empathy, integrity, kindness and knowledge to the ICW® community and programs it supports.
Board of Advisors:
Lea Tran
A passionate advocate for financial protection, dedicated to educating women through TSAI Living Benefits on safeguarding their assets, income, and tax-free retirement. A former "Boat People" refugee from Vietnam, she shares her transformative journey in her memoir, "I Did Not Miss the Boat." Transitioning from a research chemist to an author and TEDx speaker, Lea inspires others to turn challenges into opportunities.
She founded TSAI Living Benefits to promote women's financial resilience and peace of mind.Lea is committed to community service. She currently serves as the vice president of Global Women of Impact in Orlando and as a TEDx Coach. She mentors and volunteers for New Beginnings, a ministry focused on eliminating homelessness in Central Florida. Her passion for storytelling and financial empowerment helps women navigate their personal and financial journeys confidently.
Trailblazing Women Innovators
Our Team of Experts
Kylee Dwinal
Is an essential part of the ICW® team, leveraging her skills and experience as a Junior Graphic Designer at Millersville University. With a background as a design intern at the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team, her passion for design and creativity shines through. Beyond her ICW® contributions, Kylee's role as President of the Marauder Graphics screen-printing club and her work as Millersville's Athletic Communications and D2 Ice Hockey Team's Photographer demonstrate her dedication to both her craft and her community.
Lyka Maturan
Is a versatile professional with experience as a Virtual Assistant and Executive Assistant, backed by a successful managerial role in a telecommunications company. She upholds values of transparency, self-discipline, and trustworthiness in her work. As an active member of the Girls Scouts of the Philippines, she is dedicated to community development. Lyka's goal is to continue delivering exceptional support as a Virtual Assistant, contributing to the success of the teams she serves.
