Meet the People Behind the Transformation

As VE’s founder and longtime Executive Director, Iris leads the organization’s curriculum, instruction, and fundraising efforts. Under her leadership, the VE team has continuously developed new strategies for providing real-world learning and opportunities for all students, including the recent addition of the VE-JV Middle School Career Academy. Prior to her current role, Iris was the Director of VE for the New York City Department of Education, which piloted the VE high school program in seven high schools in 1996. Iris has over 35 years of experience working at all levels of public education as a teacher, assistant principal, central district administrator, and author of computer technology textbooks and reference guides. She began her professional career in marketing research for a New York City advertising agency. Iris holds two master’s degrees—an M.S. in Education from Baruch College and an M.S. in Education and Administration from New York University. Outside of work, Iris enjoys spending time with family, reading, playing tennis, and going to the theater.

John Widlund joined VEI in November 2025 as the President and CEO of Virtual Enterprises International.

John is a distinguished educator and innovator with over three decades dedicated to developing and scaling high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. As the former Executive Director of CTE for the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), his strategic oversight impacted 300 CTE programs across 70 schools, ensuring they were aligned with 21st-century industry demands.

John’s commitment to hands-on learning is exemplified by a defining achievement: supporting the successful creation of the Brooklyn STEAM Center alongside Dr. Kayon Pryce—a cutting-edge facility designed to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math into career pathways.

His experience spans the full educational spectrum, including serving as Principal at George Westinghouse High School and the renowned School of Cooperative Technical Education (Coop Tech). A strong proponent of the dual-education model, John brings a philosophy perfectly suited for Virtual Enterprises International: creating educational experiences that are both academically rigorous and deeply real-world in nature, essential for preparing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

With over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience in building and implementing financial and operational systems that support stability and growth, Eduardo “Eddie” Beltre joined VE in August 2022 as Chief Finance and Operations Manager (“CF&OO). In his role, Eddie oversees the organization's financial stewardship, operational, legal and compliance activities in order to position VE for continued growth. As a VE alum, Eddie is intimately knowledgeable on the value-add of our model, and its commitment in developing the up and coming workforce with hands-on high quality experiences.

Outside of VE, Eddie volunteers as a board member of organizations that allow him to continue his dedication to helping pave the way for a better future for our youth, through high-quality education and experiences.

Jillian Berg started her career as a business and marketing teacher in Broward County Public Schools, eventually becoming a Career and Technical Education Supervisor at the district office. She joined Virtual Enterprises International (VE) as Florida Regional Director and has since held roles overseeing the southern region, network development, programs, and strategic partnerships before stepping into her current role as Chief of Staff. In this role, she helps lead VE’s programs and partnerships nationwide, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. A lifelong Florida Gator and SEC football fan, Jillian loves traveling, exploring new places, and spending summers with her family on Cape Cod.

Elizabeth is a VE alum and holds a BA in International Management from Pace University and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College. Her professional experience includes developing user-centered training materials, facilitating learning experiences, and supporting educators through training and capacity-building initiatives. In her current role at VE, she designs and develops scalable, AI-powered curriculum and training resources to enhance engagement and accessibility. She is passionate about continuous learning and regularly explores new skills through online certification courses. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and finding the best matcha spots.

Richard Wells brings 25 years of experience in education to his role as Director of Curriculum & Professional Learning at Virtual Enterprises International. Since coming to VE, first as National Middle School Program Manager and now in a senior curriculum leadership role, he has helped drive curriculum innovation, strengthen educator support, and expand access to inclusive, high-quality entrepreneurial learning experiences for students nationwide. His work is grounded in a commitment to equity, ensuring that programs are both meaningful and accessible for diverse learners and the educators who serve them. Fun fact: his teacher trainings invariably end with participants tallying his more sesquipedalian word choices.

Wendy earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Cleary University and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Wayne State University. Her career in public education has included roles as a business education teacher, CTE coordinator, and building administrator, as well as leadership positions at Virtual Enterprises International, where she served as a State Coordinator, Regional Director, and National Program Manager. In her current role, Wendy works across VE’s support teams to deliver high-quality VE and VE-JV programming to classrooms nationwide. Outside of her professional work, Wendy is a huge fan of the performing arts. She once “directed” homegrown movie productions starring her two young sons and their friends for church talent shows.

Kathy has an MS+30 in Education and worked for the Buffalo Schools for 34 years, ending with 10 years in the CTE Department and bringing VE to Buffalo! She also created her own entrepreneurship year round program Empower Youth Entrepreneurs: EYE on the Future! Kathy has been with VE for 24 years, starting as the Northeast Regional Director and now moving to the national level auditing curriculum. In her free time, Kathy is involved in the arts, musical theater and loves traveling and ballroom dance.

Ellen Palazzo serves as Director of Educational Partnerships, where she works with school districts, educators, business leaders, and community partners to expand access to high-quality, experiential learning opportunities for students.

A longtime educator and former school administrator, Ellen brings decades of experience in career and technical education, leadership development, and innovative instructional practices. Throughout her career at VE, she has helped grow and strengthen programs across New York and the Northeast, fostering partnerships that connect classrooms with the business community and prepare students for success in college, careers, and life.

Ellen is passionate about empowering educators, building meaningful collaborations, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to develop the communication, leadership, critical thinking, and workplace skills essential for the future.

Analisa is passionate about creating equitable, meaningful educational opportunities that empower young people to succeed. With more than a decade of experience in education and nonprofit leadership, she has dedicated her career to designing innovative programs and experiences that help students build essential life and career skills. She is driven by a commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and impactful learning experiences that prepare students for future success. Outside of work, Analisa enjoys traveling to run races in new places and spending quality time at home with her loved ones.

Casey joined VEI in 2026 as Manager of National Programs, where she provides event planning and project management support for regional and national events. Before joining VEI, she produced events across NYC and Long Island and later worked as an Account Executive at an advertising agency. Casey earned a degree in Theater and Business from New York University. In her free time, she enjoys singing, swimming, and meditating.

Natalie was VP of Marketing and CMO of her VE firm in high school which makes her a perfect fit as Intern in the Southern region. Natalie currently attends Nova Southeastern University studying entrepreneurial and small business operations. She was first introduced to NSU after attending the Southern Region Competition & Exhibition. In addition, she has developed her leadership skills and time management through work outside of school.

Teri Jones is a Nationally and internationally recognized CTE teacher from her years working with high school CTE education in Santa Monica and as lead teacher for LA County. She was also a business and entrepreneurship curriculum writer and reviewer for several nonprofits and publishers. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CSU Northridge and acquired her CTE credential through California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) with classes at UCLA and her background includes managing various family and personal businesses most of her life. As current Western Regional Director, Teri enjoys a front-row seat to seeing students turn VE challenges into future success and at home enjoys family and friend game nights, biking, hiking and travel in nature from beaches to the mountains.

As a former VE student and the CEO of a state and national champion team, Vaishvi feels privileged to be involved in this highly influential program. As she continues her journey toward pursuing post-secondary educational leadership, being a part of VE allows her to empower students through a learning-by-doing methodology. She is currently getting her Master's in Leadership Development at Chapman University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, being outdoors, traveling to new places, and looks forward to her annual Mission: Impossible marathons.

Lindsay Dewey is a Regional Director at Virtual Enterprises International, supporting schools across NYC and the Mid-Atlantic in successfully delivering the VE program. She holds a BBA in Business Management from Baruch College and is currently pursuing her MBA there as well. Lindsay began her VE journey as a student at New Dorp High School, where she served as Director of Operations and went on to win regional and citywide competitions, as well as compete as a National Business Plan finalist. Now back in the VE community, she is passionate about helping students step into real-world business experiences and discover what they are capable of. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and her cats, and going to Disney.

Sarah’s involvement with VE began during the 2024–25 school year at the High School for Arts and Business, where she served as CEO of a team focused on developing creative, sustainable solutions to fashion overconsumption. She now continues her VE journey as a Program Intern for the NYC & Mid-Atlantic region—a role she pursued because of the lasting impact the program had on her personal and professional growth. Having gained valuable hands-on and professional skills through VE, Sarah is passionate about helping other students access the same opportunities that shaped her journey.

Sarah is currently a student at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, pursuing a BBA in Marketing Management. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing by drawing in her sketchbook.

Amy Demchak-Connell serves as the New York State and New England Regional Manager for Virtual Enterprises International. She brings 25 years of experience as a business educator, including 15 years teaching VE and more than 12 years supporting VE through curriculum development and consulting.

Before entering education, Amy worked as a Contract Administrator at Computer Associates International and later in local government as a Chief Management Analyst. She holds a BBA in Banking and Finance from Hofstra University, an MBA in Management from Dowling College, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. She also holds New York State certifications in Business and Distributive Education, Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs, and School District Leadership.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and two Goldendoodles and is working toward her goal of visiting all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, having been to 21 so far!

Graciela Aguilar is currently pursuing a marketing degree at Baruch College, where she is building a strong foundation in business and strategic communication. She joined VE in October 2023 as an intern after serving as the CEO of her high school VE program, where she gained experience in leadership and business operations. In her current role at VE, she supports Research & Development initiatives by assisting with data analysis and event planning. Her professional experience also includes creating websites for small businesses and community members to help strengthen their online presence. A fun fact about Graciela is that she enjoys using her creativity and technical skills to build projects that make a meaningful impact.

As a former VE student and current New York State & New England Program Intern, Jessica is grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing to a program that played an important role in her own educational and professional development. After serving as a VE Student Ambassador and COO of her VE company, she now works to support students, educators, and events while helping provide meaningful learning-by-doing experiences. Jessica is currently a sophomore at Long Island University, where she is a Dean Scholar pursuing dual degrees in Sports Management and Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology. She looks forward to continuing to develop her leadership and professional skills while helping current VE students make the most of their experience.

Kendra Lee serves as the Midwest Regional Director and Director of Teaching & Learning for grades 7–12 at Timothy Christian. She holds a Master's in Educational Leadership, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor's in Business Education. With 27 years of experience in education, Kendra has served as a Business Education and Virtual Enterprise teacher, Business Education Lead Teacher, and instructional leader. In her current role, she focuses on developing and growing the Midwest region through facilitator development and event coordination. Outside of work, Kendra enjoys running and spending time with her family.

After 27 years as a CTE teacher and 8 years as a VE teacher, Rochelle knew her passion was to be part of the VE team. It brought her prior management and buying retail experience full circle with teaching to continue to help guide students develop business skills with an entrepreneurial spirit. Rochelle enjoys traveling, especially to the mountains and the beach, plus anything that involves being around her 3 grandchildren.

Katherine serves as a Program Coordinator at Virtual Enterprises International where she supports student firms and collaborates with educators to deliver impactful, real-world business experiences. Prior to this role, she spent two years in the VEI program as a student, serving as CEO of her firm and later as a Student Ambassador for the southern region. She is currently a student at the University of South Florida, double majoring in Accounting & Analytics and Personal Financial Planning. Katherine also has professional experience as a bookkeeper, where she developed strong skills in financial reporting and business operations. A fun fact about her is that she enjoys researching neuroscience, indulging in culinary endeavors, and playing the harmonica.

Nour's VE journey began in high school, where she served as the Chief Marketing Officer of her rental housing VE firm. At the 2022 Youth Business Summit in New York, after a full and successful competition day, a chance encounter in an elevator with VE's founder, Iris Blanc, changed everything. Nour now works part-time as the Manager of the Student Ambassador Program & Program Assistant at the National Office, dedicated to helping students enjoy the same incredible experiences she did. She holds a double Bachelor's in International Business & Marketing from Florida International University, and when she's not working, you can find her exploring new travel destinations or spending quality time with friends & family.

Claudia is a proud VE alum who served as Chief Operating Officer during her two years in the program, leading her teams to multiple national competition rounds. Through VE, she gained hands-on experience in collaboration, leadership, and strategic decision-making, and continues to champion its mission of preparing young people for future success.
She currently serves as a Program Implementation Intern, with a focus on her local NYS/NE Region, where she supports curriculum development, event planning, and program administration. In this role, she helps manage student activities, conferences, and competitions, provides technical support to schools and participants, and contributes to VE's communications. A senior at Stony Brook University majoring in Business Management with a marketing specialization, Claudia is passionate about combining creativity and strategy in business. After graduating in May 2026, she intends to further her education by completing her MBA at Stony Brook University.

Alexa first joined VEI as an Operations Associate in March 2023 to provide support in both Financial and Operational tasks within the central office. Alexa graduated from Baruch College with a BBA in Finance. Before joining VEI, she worked as a Business Analyst for an IT Company that provided training to post-graduates and ex-military alike. She also worked for a public charter school in New York City as an Operations Associate. From her experiences, she saw the impact of having quality training and education available to all people of diverse backgrounds. Inspired by her co-trainees and the children she worked with, she hopes to continue working within the education sector in providing resources to students so they may apply their learned knowledge in the real-world. Outside of work, Alexa likes hiking with her dogs, reading, and going to art museums.

Nimisha has had a passion for analytics since her time as an undergraduate at Baruch College. She majored in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Data Analytics. She is enamored by the power of data and turning it into something that is meaningful that will impact the society in which we live. Living in a data-driven global society she seeks to answer questions to solve problems that exist in our education system through VE. In her free time, Nimisha enjoys going on long drives. listening to music, and exploring the outdoors.