Paul Hartgen, Vice President, Member Programs

Paul Hartgen serves as the Executive Director of the Innovation Research Interchange (IRI) and the Vice President of Member Programs at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire, Paul’s career spans leadership roles in state associations like the Restaurant Association of Maryland and the Nevada Restaurant Association. At IRI, he spearheads initiatives to position the organization at the forefront of the innovation community, recalibrating its agenda to address emerging challenges. At NAM, he enhances member value, notably through initiatives like the Manufacturers Retirement 401(k) & Savings Plan, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Paul’s adept leadership extends from overseeing strategic direction to navigating diverse interests. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys outdoor pursuits like sailing, skiing, and kayaking. While fatherhood has somewhat tempered his adventures, he eagerly anticipates sharing these experiences with his family. Based outside Annapolis, Maryland, Paul balances his passion for industry advancement with family adventures and personal growth.

Lee Green, AVP, Research and Strategy

Lee Green serves as Assistant Vice President of Content and Strategy at the Innovation Research Interchange, a division of the National Association of Manufacturers. With over 15 years of expertise, she specializes in addressing industry needs in innovation, sustainability, and digitalization, including AI. Lee is passionate about foresighting trends to anticipate future developments and prepare industry for the unknown. She holds an MA in international studies from the University of Reading (UK) and a BA in political science and international relations from the University of Toledo. Lee resides in northern VA with her husband, twins, and dog.

Meetal Desai, Manager, Innovation Content

Meetal Desai has serves as a Research Team Associate at the Innovation Research Interchange (IRI) for 5.5years.   In this role, she conducts comprehensive data and trend analysis, spearheads the development of new research content, and offers invaluable support to the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communities.   Meetal has recently authored research content around knowledge management, strategic road mapping, uses of generative AI, and how to scale new technology across different functions.   Prior to joining IRI Meetal worked at Phoenix Houses of the Mid-Atlantic for 10 years as a healthcare administrator and aided clients seeking substance abuse rehabilitation through Medicaid guidance and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Meetal holds a master’s degree in public administration from New York University, and she is also a recipient of a Health Economics Certificate from Harvard University Business School and Leadership Certification from the University of Virginia.

Erin Barden, Manager, Strategic Communities Operations

Erin Barden is the Manager of Strategic Communities Operations at the Innovation Research Interchange (IRI), where she plays a key role in driving internal process efficiencies to support member engagement and manages Board operations. She joined the Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC), part of the National Association of Manufacturers Strategic Communities, in June 2024 as Manager of Council Operations, overseeing data management, member communications, and support for both virtual and in-person events.

Prior to her work with MLC and IRI, Erin built a strong foundation in the telecom industry at Lumen Technologies (formerly CenturyLink), where she held roles in Finance, Sales Operations, and Customer Success.

A native of the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, Erin earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from York College of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, collecting vinyl records, and reading.

Rancier Gragirene, Digital Content and Marketing Specialist

Rancier Gragirene joined the Innovation Research Interchange (IRI) in May 2024 and now serves as Digital Content and Marketing Specialist. He leads content distribution across digital channels, supports email campaigns, and collaborates with the Communications team to boost engagement. Previously, he was IRI’s Thought Leadership Coordinator, managing virtual events and member resources. Prior to starting at IRI, Rancier served 5 years in the Army. He enlisted in the United States Army in 2018 as a Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer. He was stationed at Fort Drum, NY in 2019 in an S-6 shop. He deployed in 2020 to Afghanistan where he was the Foreign Military Advisor working with many NATO allies such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Australia on communications. He deployed again in 2022 where he was the head of the Network Operations office. Rancier was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 2023. After the military, he began working with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as a Veteran Services Assistant at American University where he aided Veterans and other military-connected students to optimize the usage of their VA education benefits to fund their tuition and fees.

Rancier is from Miami, Florida, and a recent graduate with a Master’s in Public Administration with a Specialization in Policy Analysis. He also apprentices at a flower shop, where he practices floral arranging, creates custom bouquets, and decorates restaurants and event spaces.

Besher Al Makhlouf, Associate Director of Professional Development

Besher Al Makhlouf serves as Associate Director of Professional Development at the Innovation Research Institute (IRI). In this role, he collaborates with subject matter experts and industry leaders to identify emerging topics, create new content, and deliver high-impact professional development programs, including workshops, learning modules, and online courses, that align with member needs and industry trends. Previously, he managed experiential learning and international education projects focused on civic engagement, social entrepreneurship, and innovation with non-profit organizations in Washington, D.C.

Besher holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the American University of Beirut. He enjoys following European soccer and is an avid FC Barcelona fan.

Kensie Yeates, Associate Director, Member Engagement

Kensie Yeates serves as the Associate Director for Member Engagement at the IRI, where she nurtures relationships with key innovation leaders to ensure they are connected to valuable resources and are supported in their work. Prior to her current role, Kensie worked in public policy fundraising where she fostered relationships with charitable foundations to help streamline their giving plans and match their charitable interests to giving opportunities. A native of Louisiana, Kensie graduated from Louisiana State University, where she studied political communication.  A self-proclaimed serial hobbyist, Kensie has been known to switch interests regularly, but she’s always enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, getting outside, and trying her hand at creative writing. However, at this writing, she is mostly into playing tennis.

Yat Ming Ooi, Editor-in-Chief, Research Technology Management Journal

Yat Ming Ooi serves as the Editor in Chief at Research-Technology Management and editorial review board member at Technology Innovation Management Review, where he reviews submissions to the journal, providing direct, constructive and developmental feedback to the authors. He is a lecturer of innovation management and a core member of the Circular Economy in Business Research Beacon at the University of Auckland, where he researches, teaches and consults on innovation management, technology strategy and digital transformation.

Tammy McCausland, Managing Editor, Research Technology Management Journal

Tammy McCausland serves as the managing editor of Research-Technology Management since 2019. She’s also a freelance writer and editor, specializing in the nonprofit, higher education, and healthcare sectors. She has a graduate degree in journalism from Carleton University and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Waterloo.