Biography

Deedee Chatham manages interdisciplinary, experiential initiatives, including Innovate@URI’s Launch Lab and (URI)² that are focused on translating student and faculty experience into real-world economic and social impact. Innovate@URI’s Launch Lab supports startups and innovation across the University with interdisciplinary events such as hackathons, pitch workshops, speaker events and industry connections. Deedee also manages (URI)², the undergraduate research office’s grants and showcase program.
Previously at URI, she worked to commercialize technology inventions at the URI Research Foundation, and to on-board both RI’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Polaris MEP), and RI’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Deedee spent over 15 years in marketing strategy, business development, and project management growing software, energy, and data analytics startups including The Mathworks, Bachman Information Systems, and BBN. She is an alumna of Northeastern University’s MBA program and the University of New Hampshire’s Biochemistry and Psychology programs.