Competitions

Alessa is a 2022 graduate of CGA where she was a member of Ithaka Dorm. While attending Culver, she served as an Honor Council Representative and third rotation Honor Council Chair, as well as serving as Ithaka’s Dorm Chair for a rotation. She was an Honors student in The Ron Rubin School for the Entrepreneur as the General Manager of Eagle Outfitters during her senior year. After graduating from Culver, Alessa has continued her education as an Honors student at Butler University where she is studying International Business and Finance in the Lacy School of Business. Alessa is actively involved in the business school as a Lacy Scholar and newly-elected Chair of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council for the 2025/26 academic year. She has gained practical experience through a three-year internship in Admissions Operations at Butler and an entrepreneurial internship in London, England during a semester abroad. She volunteered at Illinois’ largest non-profit organization in its finance division during the summer of 2023 and has also participated in international programs including one in Portugal and an expedition trip to Antarctica focused on climate change. This upcoming summer she will be working at Roche, a global pharmaceutical company, on their Blood Glucose Monitoring International Business Team.

With over fifteen years of experience in the startup and innovation sector, Danielle is a founder, teacher, advisor, investor, inventor, and community leader dedicated to creating positive social impact through entrepreneurship. Danielle graduated from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business in 2006 where she also competed as a Division I Rower.  She graduated from Culver Girls Academy in 2002. Currently, she is pursuing a Masters in Data Science at the University of Notre Dame.   As a three-time founder with successful exits, Danielle has raised millions of dollars in funding for both her companies and the organizations she supports. As the founder and CEO of Ameena Innovation, Danielle leads a team of passionate and talented individuals who share a vision of empowering women and marginalized communities to access economic opportunities and improve their well-being. Ameena Innovation collaborates with partners across the globe to deliver innovative solutions that address the needs and challenges of their target markets.  In addition to their role at Ameena Innovation, Danielle is an active contributor to the local and regional startup ecosystem. She mentors and supports emerging entrepreneurs, advocates for diversity and inclusion, and speaks at various events and forums.
Starting in the fall of 2025, Danielle will join the faculty at The Ron Rubin School for the Entrepreneur.  Her son Hunter will also attend Culver Military Academy in the fall of 2025.