Leadership

Carolyn A. Kirk was selected by the Executive Committee of the Mass Tech Collaborative (MassTech) as the agency's executive director in February 2019. Mass Tech is a state economic development agency whose mission is to strengthen the tech & innovation economy across a variety of industries including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, digital health and other emerging tech areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, and robotics.

Michael Baldino was named Director and General Counsel of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at the Mass Tech Collaborative in January 2019.  Michael continues to oversee corporate governance matters for the Mass Tech in his role as Director of Board Relations.  

Michael comes to MBI with a wealth of public sector policy experience. He served in Mass Tech’s Legal Department for over 23 years, providing legal advice and counsel to MassTech’s divisions. During his tenure, Michael was actively involved in supporting MBI’s mission since the division’s inception in 2008.

Lisa Erlandson was named Chief Financial Officer of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in May 2018. Lisa brings over 25 years of experience managing accounting and financial operations at MassTech, having joined the agency as a staff accountant in 1990. Prior to being named to the CFO position, Lisa was the Director of Financial Operations and Controller for MassTech, where she managed the agency’s general accounting processes, led the development and approval of the annual corporate budget, and oversaw the annual corporate audit. Lisa holds a B.S.

Stephanie Helm was appointed to be the first director of the MassCyberCenter at MassTech in September 2018. A career U.S. Navy officer, Helm brings to the role deep expertise developed in her senior leadership roles and over her nearly 30 year career as cryptologic/information warfare officer, roles which included positions where she oversaw long-term program development and time-sensitive operations.

Patrick Larkin is Founder and Director of the Innovation Institute, the economic development division of the MassTech Collaborative (MassTech), one of the nation's first state agencies to focus on innovation-based economic development.  The Innovation Institute at MassTech collaborates across sectors and regions to support the Commonwealth’s Innovation Economy, which drives jobs, startups, and business growth. Mr.

Holly has been responsible for leading human resource activities for both the investment and technology sectors. She has served a diverse group of employees by managing the responsibilities of employee relations, compensation and benefits, recruitment and staffing, organizational development, performance planning and immigration/ex-pat programs.  With experience in managing several corporate acquisitions, she has acted as an Organizational Development consultant to align talent with human capital needs and enhance culture.

Jennifer Saubermann has over a decade of experience in Massachusetts state government, serving as the General Counsel of both the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, Legal Counsel for the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Director of Program Integrity and Deputy General Counsel at the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, and in her current role as General Counsel & Director of Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.  In addition, Jennifer was an adjunct lecturer at Northeastern Law School, teaching legal

Farhad Vazehgoo started his career designing semiconductor circuits and systems. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K. He is a senior IEEE member and currently holds the position of Acting Director for Advanced Manufacturing Programs at the Innovation Institute at MassTech where he manages investments made under the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative, or M2I2, a program from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to advance innovation and job growth in key advanced manufacturing sectors.

Brianna Wehrs joined MassTech in June 2019 as Chief of Staff. Brianna utilizes her operations and organizational management experience to help MassTech deliver its programs statewide. She works closely with MassTech’s division directors and senior leaders to manage work flows and to help advance MassTech’s goals and objectives.