A Chicago-based Design & Development Company

Scott Weisman

Co Founder & Developer

Combining his 7 years of law experience and love for technology, Scott built WarRoom Law. By tapping into his creative streak, he has developed an intuitive sense of front end design and coding. Always current on the latest products in the tech world, Scott has an intimate understanding of product design and development.

Brendan Hennessy

Co Founder & CTO

Never stop building. Brendan manifests this passion, first seen in his love for Legos, by creating and building web products. He relies upon his formal background as an engineer to solve problems. His experience in both front- and back-end development is invaluable to making ideas come to life.

Ryan Francis

Partner & CEO

As ambitious as he is tall, Ryan has a passion for creation. In 2012, he created Francis Lofts & Bunks, a company in Western Ohio that manufactures aluminum loft beds and bunk beds. Equipped with a burning desire to build things that are useful to others, Ryan has come into his own in web development, combining creativity, logic, and an empathy for others to help clients launch outstanding, easy-to-use products.

Monique Marchwiany

Director of Design

Monique's interest in design started at a young age, but it wasn't until going to school at the University of Illinois that she discovered her love of UX & UI design. With degrees in both Graphic Design and Psychology, she has developed a strong understanding of how design can enrich a user's overall experience. She also enjoys running outdoors, reading, and baking/eating plenty of baked goods.

Ifat Ribon

Senior Developer

With a penchant for finding the best word in each situation, Ifat gravitated to coding as the perfect outlet for fitting the right words together. Ifat brings her consulting background, with a propensity for asking questions, to software development and loves seeing the diversity of needs web applications can address. Away from her computer, Ifat is an avid runner. You can often find her on Chicago's lakeshore path bearing the elements throughout the year.

Diana Camacho

Senior Developer

Like any good chemist, Diana loves to experiment and create new things. After completing her master’s in forensic chemistry, she decided to step out of the lab and apply her analytical skills to the exciting world of web development. In her spare time, Diana loves to cheer on the Chicago Cubs and is a big fan of musical theater. When not at her desk learning the latest web technologies, you can probably find her planning her next musical weekend getaway.

Danny Parnella

Developer

Danny has always had a creative streak and the desire to produce media content. Originally on the path to become a film editor, he found a love for web design that led to software development as well. These all provided an outlet for his obsession with inventive problem solving, which he continues today at LaunchPad Lab. Danny enjoys traveling to new lands, trying new food, and binging on several TV shows at a time.

Anthony Lower

Developer

Anthony has always loved puzzles and the problem solving it brings. After years of working in digital marketing he decided to enter the world of development so he can apply his analytical skills to creating products. When Anthony isn’t sitting in front of his computer he enjoys biking around the city and along the lake, and watching basketball - especially Indiana University.

Conor Hawes

Senior Developer

Conor is passionate about using technology to unlock and amplify an organization's capacity for impact. He joined LaunchPad Lab as a software developer to continue pursuing this passion, while leveraging his past experiences in engineering and tech consulting. Conor believes that dad jokes are the highest form of humor and loves long distance running, traveling, and volunteering with amazing organizations like PALS.

Nida Rashid

Product Manager

Inspired by her experience in health tech and cancer research, Nida likes creating digital experiences that impact people’s lives. Her background in psychology and biology peaked her curiosity in how people interact with technology, and how to create the most impact. Working at the intersection of development and client teams, she naturally found her interest in product, and a desire to create something valuable for the people using them. Offline, you can find her getting lost in a good book, in a new city, or on her bike.

Katelynn Weingart

Developer

Kate loves solving problems, and she believes that any problem can be conquered with a collaborative team, a thorough flow chart, and an ample supply of coffee. Before discovering all three at LaunchPad, Kate honed her analytical and organizational skills as an engineer and project manager in the medical device industry. When she's not cheering on her Cleveland sports teams, you can find Kate at small concert venues listening to bands you've never hear of.

Shannon Mason

Business Operations Manager

Shannon brings a unique perspective to LaunchPad Lab. Her background working for start-ups has allowed her to build strong leadership, client service, sales, and administration skills. She has a passion for helping teams and offices operate efficiently and believes in the power of effective communication to positively influence those around her. Obsessed with all things health and wellness, outside of work you can find her practicing yoga, working out, or researching the latest holistic health trends.

Stephen Stavrides

Product Manager

Stephen’s fascination with products started at an early age while admiring the amount of gadgets in his parents’ kitchen. From user acceptance testing to user-centric design, Stephen has held various digital product roles and is looking for the next formidable challenge in the Lab. You can catch Stephen outside of work at a local concert, Costco, or Chicago sporting event.

Analisa Bernardi

Designer

Analisa has always loved art, and her passion for human interaction and thought processes made UI/UX design a clear coupling. Analisa has worked with an array of industries and finds value in fully understanding company needs to directly reflect their values in design. Outside of work, she enjoys binge watching TV shows and traveling as frequently as possible.

Kelly Keefer

Business Development

Kelly is a seasoned sales executive with 10+ years of proven success driving adoption of emerging technologies to facilitate customer ROI. Through his background in marketing and advertising, Kelly takes great pride in helping businesses both define objectives and execute strategies to boost their bottom-line.

Mike Wislek

Developer

Mike loves design, whether it’s the design of buildings, parks, gardens, or software. And he has always been impressed by creativity expressed in any form, which is what drew him to LaunchPad Lab. Mike has worked in many different software creation roles, including architecture and system engineering. But software development has always been his passion, along with gardening, movies, art, and hiking through our national parks (or anywhere else for that matter).

Angel Medina

Developer

Angel has always been passionate about all aspects of technology; from tinkering with electronics, to disassembling and reassembling anything in sight, it was clear from a young age that he was born to be an engineer. He found his true calling with software development, where the possibility of building things and learning new skills are endless. Some of his many hobbies include videography, building PCs, music production, and video game development.

Ji Park

Developer

From Latin to JavaScript, Ji has always enjoyed learning new languages. After being introduced to statistical programming during her master’s studies in clinical psychology, she got curious about software development. Her curiosity soon became passion and dedication which spurred her to join LaunchPad Lab and continue on the path of lifelong learning and discovery. When she isn’t coding, you can spot Ji hanging upside down on aerial silks, belting out K-ballads at a karaoke bar, or brewing her own bodacious kombucha.

Brett Hileman

Product Manager

Brett has worked as both a designer and developer, which gives him a unique perspective in managing products. His passion lies in untangling complex technical problems and aligning product teams to rally behind a shared vision. Brett also has deep experience with conversion rate optimization for marketing websites as well as detailed conversion flows.

Amy Shick

Product Manager

Amy’s love of a checklist, solving problems and contributing to client success started in the wedding and event industry where besides coordinating upwards of 350 weddings, she started and operated 2 successful businesses. She was drawn to Launchpad for the innovation and ever changing challenges. Just like she loves to help a bride create their perfect day, she loves to help a business, large or small, further their mission or create a solution to a problem.   After work Amy, who lives in sunny Charleston, SC, loves to host a get together, cooking for anyone that will come over. She also never misses an opportunity to let her Chicago based team know how warm the beach is. Today it’s 61 degrees. It’s January.

Andrew Sass

Designer

Andrew is a digital product builder, Pantone enthusiast, and illustration admirer. With a background in multimedia development and architecture, he hopes to create experiences that are useful, usable, and engaging. He’s excited to create great design environments for all his clients in the Lab. You can catch Andrew outside of work surfing, working on vintage motorcycles, or drooling over a new typeface.

Daniel Schadd

Developer

Daniel graduated with a degree in history and decided to work on computers. His first experience with the Macintosh II in the school computer lab sparked a love of tech that hasn't faded. As a historian, he keeps an eye on the bigger picture - approaching projects holistically to solve real business problems. When he isn't coding, Daniel can be found deep diving into Wikipedia and Youtube.

Rebecca Jasch

Marketing Manager

Rebecca is an enthusiastic creative who is obsessed with learning and using marketing to help a company achieve their growth goals. She is passionate about being able to see the big-picture strategy for an organization and thrives on being able to take a campaign from idea to execution. Outside of work, Rebecca loves hiking, trying new wine and cooking. 

Brady Soglin

Developer

Kimina Andersen

Project Manager

Kimina started her career in the construction but, found love in the software industry. She is a creative with a passion for agile methodologies and working with team members to produce quality products for our clients. Offline, you can find Kimina working on animations, singing with her band, dancing, or finding new dishes to create.

Nick Lindeke

Product Manager

Nick learned his product fundamentals in mechanical engineering and brought his love of continuous improvement and process development to digital products when he shifted his career to the software industry. He found his calling as a Product Manager because he is fascinated by the intersection of technology and business. Outside of work, Nick enjoys throwing a frisbee around and learning everything he can about space exploration.

Ryan McMahon

Developer

Ryan is passionate about learning how organizations operate and developing software to help them thrive. Prior to his career as a software developer, Ryan was a copywriter and a restaurant cook—two roles that taught him the importance of teamwork and putting clients first. When not at work, Ryan enjoys cooking with his family, playing hockey, and cheering on his beloved Buffalo Bills.

Nikki Dow

Developer

Nikki has always loved learning new languages and the challenges and opportunities they bring. After a career as a French teacher, she decided to apply her love of learning and her problem-solving skills to software development. As a developer, she loves making big ideas a reality. When not at her desk, you can most likely find her traveling the world, paddleboarding, drinking lots of cold brew, or with her nose stuck in a book.

Logan Price

Developer

Matt Jackson

Developer

Matt is a skilled Salesforce expert specializing in building engaging communities on the Salesforce platform. After getting his start in video production, Matt transitioned to a career in Salesforce development to combine his love of creative problem solving with his passion for human centered design. Outside of work, Matt enjoys guitar, retro games and Sci-Fi novels.

Chad Gregory

Project Manager

As someone who has always loved problem solving and helping others, Chad has found a great spot for himself on the Product team at LaunchPad Lab. Chad is used to wearing many hats, but brings a strong project management background and a willingness to get the job done to each project. Outside of work, Chad enjoys watching his Buckeyes and Cubbies, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. You may find him running on the local trails or making others look good on the golf course.

Alejandro Mejia Reyes

Developer

Alejandro knows perseverance, hard work, and discipline always bring excellent outcomes. This vision allowed him to start his carrier in software development in his home country El Salvador, where he significantly contributed to the companies he worked for. Alejandro is convinced web development is a great opportunity when it's combined with excellence, teamwork, and effective communication. When he is not coding you can find him traveling around the world, visiting his loved ones, and fully enjoying life.

Cassidy Brandt

Designer

Cassidy is a designer with an eagerness to understand. Whether that be understanding a design problem or a community’s needs, UI/UX design gives her a chance build upon those skills. Outside of the Lab, Cassidy enjoys baking, photography, using an absurd amount of emojis, listening to music, and singing.

Srini Simhan

Salesforce Developer

Srinivas is a Salesforce developer with a passion for working with small businesses and nonprofits! With a background in robotics and student affairs, Srinivas transitioned to a career in Salesforce development to expand on his passion for creating sustainable growth platforms with emphasis on human centered design. Outside of work, Srinivas is the head coach of his local FIRST Robotics program, volunteers as a National Officer of Theta Tau, and loves to collect comic books!

Ramy Huffman

Developer

Ramy has always been passionate about technology and driven to find alternative solutions to new and exciting challenges. As a former accountant, Ramy was used to reconciling accounts and balancing spreadsheets. After repeatedly encountering inefficiencies in legacy systems, he became interested in studying software engineering to learn how to streamline processes and optimize performance. Eventually that led him to a career as a developer where he has been able to apply his analytical skills to create innovative solutions through technology. When Ramy isn’t busy writing lines of code, he enjoys lap swimming at the local pool, watching an excessive amount of reality television, and spending time with his special needs dog.

Rose Gaban

Developer

Rose started her career as a customer advocate and immersed herself in providing hot fixes to clients where product ultimately felt short. Through frequent use of JavaScript, this sparked her passion for software development. She then decided to take a risk to pursue her dreams of working in the software industry as a self-taught developer, and soon after joined LaunchPad to continue her learning. Offline, you can find her climbing, playing the ukulele, longboarding with her husky Koda, or wandering around REI.

Collette Nakamyuka

Product Manager

Ashley Edmondson

Designer

Ashley is a UI/UX Designer that has received an AA and BFA in Graphic Design. She's currently half way through a Master’s Certificate program in Interactive Media and Design as well. From an early age she's always loved art and being creative! She has a love for typography, web design, and front end development. She is passionate about this role because she loves problem solving and being able to help clients achieve their vision through her meticulous attention to detail. The ability to continue to grow and strengthen my skills is something she's always striving for. When she's not working you can find her doing anything outdoors. She loves hiking the most but also enjoys camping, fishing, going to breweries and distilleries, and going to concerts.

Katherine Evans

Developer