Contact Us

Meet our Staff

David Putnam

Associate Dean for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Samuel B. Eckert Professor in Engineering
Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow
Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering / Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Katherine Herleman

Executive Director of Innovation, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
172 Kimball Hall
k.herleman@cornell.edu

Katherine Herleman is Executive Director of Innovation in the College of Engineering. Katherine previously served as a senior sustainability consultant and innovation lead at WSP. Katherine has advised both public and Fortune 100 clients on their ESG strategies and practices, including governance and goal setting; regulatory strategy; and data maturity strategy. Katherine brings scientific rigor and project management experience to the complex R&D agendas of impactful universities, corporations, and governments. She holds several patents and has published works related to improving knowledge management tools for corporate risk managers and emergency management practitioners. Katherine is a McNair Fellow who received both her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction and B.S. in Geological Sciences from Florida International University. Her role is to develop strategic partnerships which deepen the societal impact of Engineering’s research enterprise.

Kamana Misra

Associate Director of Entrepreneurship, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
175 Kimball Hall
kmp72@cornell.edu

Bonna Davidson

Program Coordinator, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
171 Kimball Hall
bnd26@cornell.edu

Bonna is a dynamic and resourceful Program Coordinator at Cornell Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship, distinguished by her leadership, strategic vision, and administrative prowess. She adeptly handles complex inquiries, maintaining stringent confidentiality standards in all communications.

In her role, Bonna acts as an indispensable resource for both internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating superior organizational skills in the coordination of appointments, meetings, and travel. Her aptitude for independently managing correspondence and creating sophisticated communications, such as intricate spreadsheets and databases, is a testament to her data analysis excellence.

Previously, Bonna held significant roles in the corporate sector, notably in logistics, management, and solutions tailored to the material handling solutions industry, with a specific focus on pallet systems. Her career also paralleled her work at Cornell University, where she provided indispensable administrative oversight to both Cornell Engineering AAD and the Atkinson Center, coordinating a diverse array of programs. Her extensive responsibilities—ranging from sales and account management to event planning, data analysis, budget control, and website maintenance—underscore her versatility and broad expertise across various professional landscapes.

Bonna is celebrated for her proactive approach, meticulous attention to detail, and her commitment to fostering positive relationships with stakeholders. She is adept at maintaining and enhancing content across various platforms, ensuring accuracy and relevance to meet organizational objectives.

Driven by a passion for effective partnerships and relationships, Bonna is committed to leveraging her leadership and big-picture thinking to make a meaningful impact in her professional and personal endeavors.

For questions regarding invoicing, sponsorships, or to meet with any of the I&E team, email Bonna! Or inquire via our office inbox, innov_entrepr@cornell.edu

Cornell Engineering Career Center:

201 Carpenter Hall
Ithaca, NY  14853
eng-career@cornell.edu

Interested in recruiting or employer relationships? Email us!

Christa Downey

Director of the Cornell Engineering Career Center
201 Carpenter Hall
christa.downey@cornell.edu

Jennifer Soprano

Employer Relations Manager
Cornell Engineering Career Center
201 Carpenter Hall
eng-recruiting@cornell.edu