Speakers

Dr. Chen was born in China at the end of the Great Cultural Revolution. Being victims of the horrific atrocity that killed two million intellectuals and destroyed traditional Chinese culture, Wen's parents had mixed feelings about her education. Despite their discouragement, Wen eventually won a national prize at a science competition when she was 16. Hence, she was accepted into a top university for undergraduate study. In 1994, Wen came to the U.S. for graduate school and received a Ph.D. in Biology at the California Institute of Technology in 2000. Because of her personal experience of being brainwashed in China, she decided to be a voice for the voiceless. Since 2012, she has given over 300 presentations to community organizations about Chinese culture, history, and human rights.

Wen has been working for Caltech since 2000 as a biologist and information scientist on genomics and biological research. Part of her everyday work is scientific outreach by speaking at conferences and seminars in universities like UC San Diego and Harvard Medical School. In her personal life, she is an active member of Amnesty International, a board member for Caltech Women in Biology and Biological Engineering, and a special event host for the Caltech Alumni Association. She lives in Pasadena with her husband and two teenage daughters.

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Meeting ID: 823 0445 4818
Passcode: 089262

Marla Roe has been the Executive Director of Visit Frisco since 2004. Visit Frisco is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Frisco. The team actively markets and sells to meetings, conventions, sports and tourism, and is responsible for increasing economic prosperity for Frisco, its residents and marketing partners. Official accreditation recognizing excellence and achievement was awarded in 2009 by the industry organization Destination's International.

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Meeting ID: 823 0445 4818
Passcode: 089262

 

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Named 2017 Spirit of Frisco by the Chamber of Commerce and 2019 Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader by the North Texas Business Council for the Arts, Tammy Meinershagen has a gift of inspiring others through her music, leadership, and passion for the arts. A professional musician and former English teacher, Tammy has volunteered in many roles to promote arts and culture in Frisco, including the Frisco Public Art Board, Texas Music Teachers Association, Frisco Council of PTA's, and the 2015 Citizen Bond Committee, where she successfully spearheaded a $10M bond initiative for a performing arts center in Frisco.
 
Tammy is currently the Chief Creative Officer at MedinaUSA, a member of the Advisory Boards of Leadership Prep School, Legacy Christian Academy, and Collin Corporate College's Nonprofit Advisory Council. She is also a member of the Orchid Giving Circle with the Texas Women's Foundation. Tammy serves as a grant review panelist for the Texas Commission on the Arts and on an arts selection committee for Congressman Van Taylor.

Tammy's work in the arts has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, Community Impact Newspaper, Frisco STYLE Magazine, WFAA Ch. 8, and many other media outlets. Originally from Chicago, IL and a graduate of Northwestern University, Tammy and her husband Todd reside in Frisco and have 3 daughters, all aspiring musicians and arts enthusiasts.

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Meeting ID: 823 0445 4818
Passcode: 089262

Dr. Purtell is the Director of External Relations responsible for developing industry and external partnerships for UNT Frisco. In this role, he works to collaborate and partner with employers or organizations who have an interest in supporting UNT, such as through internships, cohort and capstone class projects, guest speaking/guest lecturing, or other opportunities.