Kella Player Hanna Email & Phone Number

Charleston, South Carolina

-Responsible for mentoring and coordinating funding opportunities to support advancement of early stage, high-growth potential technology companies that originate within the colleges and universities of South Carolina (academic startups).-Work one-on-one with faculty innovators and entrepreneurs to align resources in the ecosystem to meet the technology development and business growth needs necessary for seed stage fundraising.-Partner with key stakeholders across SC including… Show more -Responsible for mentoring and coordinating funding opportunities to support advancement of early stage, high-growth potential technology companies that originate within the colleges and universities of South Carolina (academic startups).-Work one-on-one with faculty innovators and entrepreneurs to align resources in the ecosystem to meet the technology development and business growth needs necessary for seed stage fundraising.-Partner with key stakeholders across SC including universities, state agencies, industry and economic development groups, consultants, and the angel investment and venture capital community.-Manage a three-year, >$3M program for multi-institutional research projects that address key industry challenges and accelerate commercialization for benefit to the innovation economy.-Represent SCRA in public forums and outreach engagements. Show less

-Evaluate Business Feasibility and Scale-up of new products and process changes at the manufacturing site of DNP.-Site Lead Contact (Kingstree) for Commercialization activities related to the Green Ocean Project. This project formed Veramaris, the joint-venture company of DSM and Evonik.-Managed multiple projects aimed at yield/productivity improvements, contract manufacturer qualification, supplier risk mitigation, and environmental permit compliance risk mitigation.-Coordinate… Show more -Evaluate Business Feasibility and Scale-up of new products and process changes at the manufacturing site of DNP.-Site Lead Contact (Kingstree) for Commercialization activities related to the Green Ocean Project. This project formed Veramaris, the joint-venture company of DSM and Evonik.-Managed multiple projects aimed at yield/productivity improvements, contract manufacturer qualification, supplier risk mitigation, and environmental permit compliance risk mitigation.-Coordinate activities of project team to ensure key milestones and overall project schedule is on target.-Execute Change Management and Process Qualification to integrate new products and processes into business operations. Show less

-Served as Project Manager (Development Phases) to expand production capacities for a new product at manufacturing site of Nutritional Products division.-Managed development efforts to convert wasted process stream into a commercialized product.-Initiated valorization of several manufacturing by-products to achieve sustainable management practices.-Worked closely with cross functional teams ranging from IP/legal, R&D, Commercial, Manufacturing, Engineering, Corporate Project… Show more -Served as Project Manager (Development Phases) to expand production capacities for a new product at manufacturing site of Nutritional Products division.-Managed development efforts to convert wasted process stream into a commercialized product.-Initiated valorization of several manufacturing by-products to achieve sustainable management practices.-Worked closely with cross functional teams ranging from IP/legal, R&D, Commercial, Manufacturing, Engineering, Corporate Project Management, Quality, and Environment/Health/Safety in coordinating efforts to achieve project goals.-Executed strategy to achieve 10-fold reduction in disposal of manufacturing by-products within five years. Show less

-Provided on-site technical support for production-scale qualification and pre-commercialization trials of new food-grade product.-Provided manufacturing and process development support to achieve the goals of cost reduction, process optimization, process troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

M.S. Biotechnology; Concentration: Biotechnology EnterpriseStudies in Technology Transfer & Commercialization, Innovation Management, Product Development, Strategic Planning, and Corporate Finance

Feb 2011: Martek Biosciences acquired by DSM

M.S., Biotechnology, Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

Studies in Product Development, Technology Transfer & Commercialization, Innovation Management, Strategic Planning, and Finance

B.S. (2), Biochemistry, Biology; B.A., Chemistry

Activities and Societies: President, American Cancer Society Club; Event Co-Chair, College of Charleston & The Citadel Relay for Life.