Innovation requires dedication, passion and a free flow of ideas. Our members and visitors live this every day. Therefore, shouldn’t we? The iBridgeSM Network team is comprised of energetic, experienced professionals with a broad range of backgrounds including entrepreneurs, developers, communications specialists, academics, and business executives. Together they help the iBridgeSM Network stay ahead of the curve and deliver users with a valuable, rich experience to ensure the efficient movement of innovation from ideas to reality.
Key customer contacts are:
Katie Petersen
Manager
Katie Petersen joined the Kauffman Foundation in November of 2007 as the Membership Manager for the iBridgeSM Network, a program of the Kauffman Innovation Network. Ms. Petersen is the direct liaison with iBridge Network members, overseeing all aspects of membership services from guiding them through the application process to uploading their recent innovations to setting up meetings between collaborators. Additionally, she is closely involved with setting the strategic direction of the iBridge Network as well as ensuring site features and functionality accurately reflect members’ demands. Ms. Petersen came to the Kauffman Foundation from Anheuser-Busch, where she held several roles on the Consumer Management Team, worked as the Consumer Awareness and Education Coordinator and Brands Manager over craft and import beers. Ms. Petersen earned her Bachelor's Degree from Kansas State University. She is based at the Kauffman Foundation headquarters in Kansas City.
Ms. Petersen is active in the community and serves as a Director of Events for Stand Up for Kids Kansas City. She also volunteers at the Rose Brooks Center and serves as a Specialized Recruitment Consultant for Gamma Phi Beta.
Bob Whitehouse
Technology
Bob has been with the iBridgeSM Network since 2005 and manages all things technical. With over 20 years of experience Bob has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors primarily in life sciences and has held positions ranging from a software development to senior level management. Bob and his wife have a consulting company, ProSys, Inc., based in Overland Park, Kansas on the southern edge of Kansas City.
Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Kansas. In addition to spending his free time keeping up with a 6-year old and 3-year old twins, Bob enjoys professional football, college sports, and keeping up with the financial markets.
