Director of Tech Launch Arizona and Executive Director of UA Center for Innovation

Joann MacMaster is the Senior Director of Venture Development for the University of Arizona’s Tech Launch Arizona (TLA), focused on the commercialization of UA IP through the development of startup companies. She has served as a startup founder, mentor, investor, and educator.  She is passionate about regional ecosystem development and is a recipient of the Larry Hecker and Sherry Hoskinson Lasting Community Builder Award.  She is an AUTM Board member and UA Academic Leadership Institute Fellow, and previously served as President of the Arizona Business Incubation Association. She returned home to Tucson in 2000 after living and working in Europe for over a decade and holds an MBA from Edinburgh University Scotland.

Eric Smith is the Executive Director of the UA Center for Innovation