Our Team
Mary Beth Jarvis
President & CEO
Since early 2023, Mary Beth has led NXTUS's efforts to strengthen the region's startup ecosystem and connect growth-minded entrepreneurs and innovators to Community, Capital and Customers. She originally joined the team in 2019 to launch the NXTSTAGE Startup Programs, which accelerate the growth of innovative startups by helping them gain customer traction with Kansas businesses and communities.
Mary Beth previously led Wichita Festivals, spent 15 years in communication, public affairs and international relations for Koch Industries, and served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. She is an active community leader for the Greater Wichita YMCA and Visit Wichita and was named one of 50 Kansans You Should Know, as well a Wichita Business Journal Power 50, Newsmaker, Innovator, and Hall of Fame honoree for the 40 Under 40 and Women in Business programs.
Amber Dunn
Program Manager
Amber is a Wichita native and graduate of Wichita State University's Barton School of Business. Driven by a deep passion for helping founders gain meaningful traction, Amber joined NXTUS in 2022 and has since developed and managed the NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort, the NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series, and the NXTSTAGE Child Care Entrepreneur Growth Cohort graduating more than 100 Kansas entrepreneurs and helping them accelerate their growth.
Outside of her work in the statewide startup community, Amber teaches group fitness classes and enjoys spending time with her partner, Peter, and their two big dogs. Her commitment to fostering economic vibrancy through inclusive, high-impact programming continues to shape her role as she looks ahead to 2025 and beyond.
Symbria Hansen
Program Manager
Symbria Hansen is a lifelong Wichitan with a passion for innovation and community impact. She leads initiatives that connect innovative tech startups with Kansas businesses, fostering collaborations that drive meaningful change. With over a decade of experience in customer success, strategic partnerships, and leadership, Symbria specializes in building relationships, leveraging data, and creating opportunities that benefit startups and communities alike.
A proud advocate for health and wellness, Symbria is an active member of the women’s fitness community and a competitive powerlifter. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her husband, two kids, and their dog, enjoying everything her hometown has to offer.
Conor Adler
Program Manager
New to Kansas, NXTUS, and Accelerate Venture Partners (AVP) in January 2024, Conor brings a wealth of experience from his background as a startup operator in Chicago and the banking sector in Boston to AVP’s mission of mobilizing capital for Heartland founders and enhancing the startup ecosystem in the region.
Conor is focused on initiatives to expand AVP membership, engage underrepresented investors, and enhance access to growth capital for Kansas entrepreneurs. Through programs like the Accessing Growth Capital Series, AVP helps founders become more investable by bridging knowledge gaps and providing resources to strengthen their businesses. Other efforts include angel educational events like the Capital Conversation Series, aimed at mobilizing new investors and showcasing startups across the state.
In his free time, Conor enjoys exploring the Heartland’s great outdoors, trying to swing a golf club, and playing guitar with his brothers in their band, ‘The Adler Brothers.’
Elleigh Peters
Communication Coordinator
Elleigh is a Wichita native and a proud graduate of Kansas State University. Elleigh joined NXTUS in 2023 as a marketing intern and stepped into the role of Communication Coordinator in January 2024.
Now in her second year, Elleigh leads the marketing efforts and communication products for NXTUS, including its NXTSTAGE programs and Accelerate Venture Partners angel group. Elleigh also collaborates closely with community partners, leading the NXTUS Program Advisors Group and working with other organizations to plan and execute events that equip Kansas entrepreneurs with the resources to succeed.
Outside of work, Elleigh is a dance instructor at Kelcy’s Dance Studio, where she teaches acro classes to students of all ages. In her free time, she enjoys staying active through hot yoga, exploring new restaurants around Wichita, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Board of Directors
John Messman
Chair
Principal Partner, Messman Group LLC
Erik Pedersen
Immediate Past Chair
President and COO, NetWork Kansas
V. Kaye Monk-Morgan
Secretary
President and CEO, Kansas Leadership Center
Trish Brasted
Treasurer
President, Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures, NetWork Kansas
Luis Rodriguez
President, TEC Systems Group
Evan Rosell
Executive Vice President of Operations for the Greater Wichita Partnership
Abel Frederic
VP of Community Impact,
United Way of the Plains
Tonya Witherspoon
Associate VP, Industry Engagement and Applied Learning,
Wichita State University
Program
Advisors
Blake Benton
Coming Together for a Cure
Shae Blevins
Third House Co.
Alejo Cabral
Create Campaign
Scott Elpers
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Robert Feeney
Knowledge As A Service
Miguel Johns
Milton AI
Sally Aguilar
Empower
Larisa Genin
Wichita State University
Duane Nagel
Wichita State University
Eric Mota
Wichita State University
Nancy Kersenbrock
Wichita State University
Zeeshan Khan
Wichita State University
Troy Tabor
Wichita State University
James Williams
Black Hills Energy
Thomas Papadatos
NetWork Kansas
Sophia Drouhard
NetWork Kansas
Janice Perkins
Capacity
Erin Koehn
Kanza Bank
Meghan Carver
Lead For America