We are proud to announce the distinguished panel of judges who will evaluate student ventures at this year’s New Venture Pitch Competition. Representing alums, faculty, and industry leaders across entrepreneurship, technology, healthcare, and finance, these judges bring a remarkable depth of experience—and a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of founders.

Ellen Rudnick ’72

Ellen Rudnick, MBA, is a successful startup executive, having served as chairman of Pacific Biometrics and CEO of Health Care Knowledge Resources. She has held positions as corporate vice president at Baxter Healthcare and president of Baxter Management Services Division, which she founded. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Old National Bank (NASDAQ: ONB). She previously served as a director of Liberty Mutual Insurance, Patterson Companies (NASDAQ:PDCO), HMS (NASDAQ: HMSY) and Oxford Health. She serves on the MATTER board of directors and on the 1871 Advisory Board. She was formerly the inaugural executive director of the Polsky Center and a Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship.

Alicia Atwood

Associate Professor of Economics

Alicia Atwood is an applied microeconomist with interests in health and labor economics. She joined the Vassar faculty in 2018. She teaches introduction to economics and health economics. She earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago, her MPH from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in Health Policy and Management, and her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Chris Deutsch ’97

Chris Deutsch has spent 25 years starting up, investing in, and working with early-stage, venture-backed startups in ecommerce, web and mobile applications, enterprise software, and consumer products. Chris is the Founder of Lofty Ventures, which builds long-term relationships with Chicago’s next generation of passionate and brilliant founders. Investments range from five to six figures in pre-seed to seed-stage startups. Eighty percent of Lofty’s 89 portfolio companies are in Chicago and over three-quarters are led by underrepresented founders.

Francine Lasky ’90

Francine began her journey as the president of a family business, where she discovered the transformative power of curiosity in action. A natural motivator, enthusiastic capitalist, and intentional leader, Francine Lasky created Francine Lasky Enterprises in order to deliver skills and tools to ambitious business leaders. A strong believer in the power of community, Francine is a Vistage chair for engaged individuals committed to growth and discovery at any stage of their careers.

Jason Waterman

Chair and Associate Professor of Computer Science

Jason Waterman received his Ph.D in Computer Science at Harvard University in the area of Coordinated Resource Management in Sensor Networks. Before getting his Ph.D, he worked at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), working in the areas of Human Centered Computing and mobile systems for patient monitoring. He also earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University. Jason teaches Computer Organization (CMPU-224), Operating Systems (CMPU-334), and Computer Architecture (CMPU-324).