Leadership Team Biographies
Griffiss Institute Executive Leadership Team
HEATHER HAGE – Heather Hage serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Griffiss Institute, where she leads the organization’s mission to elevate talent, empower innovation, and enable experiences that strengthen America’s innovation ecosystem, national security, and economic competitiveness. Guided by her “heads up, hearts forward, shoulders back” philosophy, Heather is advancing Griffiss Institute’s role as a national convener, bringing together government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurs to accelerate technology, develop the next generation of STEM talent, and create pathways for innovation to move from discovery to real-world impact.
Heather brings more than two decades of leadership experience in technology transfer, intellectual property, research commercialization, strategic partnerships, venture development, and innovation policy. Prior to joining Griffiss Institute, she spent more than 15 years with the SUNY Research Foundation, where she advanced collaborations that accelerated research, commercialization, and economic development.
A proud Mohawk Valley native, Heather earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College and a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. She serves as a Trustee of Hamilton College, Chair of the National Science Foundation Upstate Energy Storage Engine and serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for NY-CREATES. Heather’s leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2025 City & State Above and Beyond Award, the 2024 Baird Women Who Inspire Award, and the 2023 YWCA Salute to Outstanding Women.
SETH MULLIGAN –​ Seth Mulligan serves as Chief Ventures Officer for Griffiss Institute, where he leads the organization’s venture development strategy to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies, support entrepreneurs, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem. He works across government, industry, academia, and the investment community to help transform research and innovation into new companies, strategic partnerships, and economic opportunity.
An entrepreneur and business strategist, Seth brings extensive experience in startup development, technology commercialization, venture growth, business systems, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, he has served as a startup incubator director, technology transfer seed fund operator, business development consultant, entrepreneurship educator, and executive within venture capital backed technology companies. His experience spans the full innovation lifecycle, from developing new ventures to helping organizations build the systems and partnerships needed for sustainable growth.
Seth holds two master’s degrees in administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy. He is passionate about helping innovators navigate the path from concept to commercialization while building ventures that strengthen communities, advance technology, and create lasting economic impact.​
Mike continues to be responsible for the development of an Open Innovation Environment to facilitate basic research at AFRL/RI and enhance technology transfer activities within the directorate.  ​
He holds a BA in Computer Science from the State University of New York at Potsdam and an MS in Information Systems Management from the State University of New York at Binghamton. ​
Before joining Griffiss Institute, Tim held several leadership positions at Mohawk Valley Community College, including Chief Strategy Officer and Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs. Throughout his career, he has expanded academic programs, developed strategic partnerships, secured competitive grant funding, and created pathways that connect education with emerging technologies, including cybersecurity, quantum information science, and artificial intelligence.
Tim serves as President of the Upstate Caring Partners Board and on the boards of Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES, NY Design, and the Kirkland Town Library. Across every role, his work returns to a single conviction: that the right pathways turn talent into opportunity, and opportunity into national strength.
MELISSA TALLMAN – Melissa Tallman serves as Chief Brand & Advancement Officer for Griffiss Institute, where she leads brand strategy, marketing and communications, philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, events, and experience initiatives. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she helps shape strategies that strengthen Griffiss Institute’s brand, cultivate strategic partnerships, expand philanthropic support, and advance GI’s long-term vision.
An entrepreneur and executive leader, Melissa brings more than 15 years of experience building brands, cultivating partnerships, and creating opportunities that connect people with purpose. Her career has been defined by identifying opportunities, bringing the right people together, and transforming ideas into initiatives that create measurable impact. Since joining Griffiss Institute, she has led the evolution of GI’s brand, established a philanthropic framework to support long-term growth, strengthened stakeholder engagement, and advanced enterprise initiatives that position GI for the future.
Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University. She believes people are an organization’s greatest asset, and her leadership is grounded in building trusted relationships, empowering others to succeed, and creating opportunities that strengthen organizations and the communities they serve.
David is comfortable across accounting systems with multiple certifications. He prides himself on gaining deep understandings of his organizations and building partnerships across divisions.
David holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Denver as well as Bachelor degrees in Business and International Studies from American University. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, running and sports. A Colorado native, David now resides in Arlington, VA.
MATTHEW MROZ – Matthew Mroz serves as Executive Vice President of Strategic Programs for Griffiss Institute, where he leads strategic initiatives that accelerate technology development, strengthen partnerships, and expand opportunities across government, industry, academia, and the defense innovation ecosystem. He works with stakeholders to advance programs that support technology transition, innovation, and national security priorities.
Matt brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in technology commercialization, research administration, business development, intellectual property, and public-private partnerships. Before joining Griffiss Institute, he served as Vice President for Industry and External Affairs at the Research Foundation for the State University of New York, where he led initiatives that strengthened industry engagement, advanced research commercialization, and expanded strategic partnerships across the SUNY system.
Matt’s experience spans technology transfer, venture development, research strategy, and collaborative innovation. His work is focused on connecting organizations, capabilities, and emerging technologies to create opportunities that strengthen America’s His work is focused on connecting organizations, capabilities, and emerging technologies to create opportunities that strengthen America’s innovation ecosystem and defense industrial base.
DEAN KORSAK – Dean Korsak serves as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Griffiss Institute, where he provides legal counsel and strategic guidance across the organization’s operations, federal programs, governance, compliance, intellectual property, and technology partnerships. He works closely with leadership to enable innovation while managing risk and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual requirements.
Dean brings extensive experience in federal contracting, technology transfer, intellectual property, compliance, and military operations. A retired U.S. military officer, he served more than 20 years in leadership roles supporting complex technical missions across the United States and internationally. His experience helps interdisciplinary teams navigate legal and operational challenges to accelerate emerging technologies and strengthen public-private partnerships.
Dean earned a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University, a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Mississippi College School of Law, and a Master of Laws with highest honors from Columbia Law School, where he was recognized as a James Kent Scholar. He believes every problem has a solution.
ANGELA WRIGHT – Angela Wright serves as Vice President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Secretary to the Board of Directors for Griffiss Institute, where she leads the organization’s federal, state, and local government relations strategy and strengthens engagement with policymakers, public agencies, and strategic partners. As Secretary to the Board of Directors, she oversees board governance, communications, and official records in support of effective organizational leadership.
Angela brings more than 20 years of experience in government relations, public policy, research advocacy, and higher education. Throughout her career, she has developed legislative strategies, built bipartisan relationships, and advanced initiatives that strengthen research, innovation, and economic development. Before joining Griffiss Institute, she served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Government Relations at the State University of New York, where she led state and federal advocacy on behalf of SUNY’s 64 campuses. She previously held leadership roles with the Research Foundation for SUNY and for the New York State Senate, helping shape higher education policy and research initiatives.
Angela earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management and a Master of Professional Studies from Cornell University, as well as an Associate in Applied Science from SUNY Cobleskill.
TRACY DIMEO – Tracy DiMeo serves as Executive Liaison, Operations Analyst, and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors for Griffiss Institute. In this cross-functional role, she supports the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors by coordinating governance activities, strengthening organizational processes, and leading initiatives that improve operational effectiveness across finance, human resources, and administration.
Since joining Griffiss Institute in 2014, Tracy has held a variety of leadership and operational roles that have contributed to the organization’s continued growth. She has helped develop organizational policies and procedures, managed complex projects, and supported major initiatives, including the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Internship Program, the AFRL Local STEM Program, and the Air Force STEM Program. Her broad institutional knowledge and collaborative approach make her a trusted resource across the organization.
Tracy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a minor in Communications from Le Moyne College. She is a graduate of Leadership Mohawk Valley and has completed professional development through the Disney Institute and the Accelerated Administrative Professional program. She believes great leaders serve by supporting and empowering others to do their best work.
