Piloto 151 coworking space announced the creation of the Puerto Rico Government Blockchain Association (GBA) Chapter, a private membership organization that seeks to assist government and public sector people and organizations understand, implement and benefit from blockchain-related technologies and capabilities.
Eric Santos is a problem solver with experience in software development. His journey began here in Puerto Rico programming robots for high school robotics competitions which allowed him to discover his calling, programming.
After taking computer science courses at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, he had the opportunity to work with startups overseas like Rezolve and the US like Rebelmail, later acquired by Salesforce. At Piloto 151, Eric is a Software Engineer working to streamline processes and implement in-house software. Some other things to know about Eric include his passion for basketball both on and off the court, his love for his dog Apollo and his family.
Isabel Merino is a free spirit, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico into a foodie family. She earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA. When she decided not to pursue her law degree, she moved to Miami and jumped at the chance to start a career in yachting, cooking her way through some beautiful places for the past 11 years. She moved back to PR last year where she helped out her sister at Lucia Patisserie before joining the Piloto151 team, where she’s putting her mad organization skills into action.
In her spare time, Isabel volunteers with El Dogo Loco Organization helping to foster satos while they find their furever homes. She enjoys gardening, composting, recycling and finding new ways to cut down on her carbon footprint. An avid traveler, she also enjoys pushing herself out of her comfort zone as often as possible. She loves experiencing new cuisines, water sports, cooking, taking spinning & yoga classes, and dancing Salsa. She’s a passionate advocate and supporter of all things local. Do you need a good food recommendation? Ask her!
Stephanie Drew is a creative and storyteller with experience in digital media, content strategy, branding, graphic design, and events. After receiving her BA in PR and Advertising and her MBA in Marketing at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, she worked in the nonprofit sector in Communications producing digital media and content. At Piloto 151, Stephanie is a news junkie hungry for information, staying up to date with all things creative, and all for creating a local entrepreneur community.
She is an optimist about the world we can create with the perfect combination of individuals, organizations, and ideas. Her favorite things are good company, moments of pure laughter, traveling the world and visiting new places, enjoying good food, art, nature… basically finding happiness in the simple things in life. This mega foodie and amateur cook is a supporter of all things local.
Chana Geller is a creative spirit whose talents span from graphic and industrial design to entrepreneurship and culinary endeavors. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, and traveling to places near and far strengthened her fascination and love for different cultures and experiences. After studying at Parsons School of Design and Pratt institute in Paris and Manhattan, she worked in various design studios, showrooms, and jewelry and toy stores.
This introduced her to different industries along the way, giving her a profound appreciation for all their unique demands and intricacies. Chana enjoys baking in her free time as well as producing art and design projects, spending time with family and friends, eating delicious food, traveling, and discovering the many breathtaking wonders her native island has to offer.
Frances Morales has always enjoyed working behind the camera, setting a scene and capturing the perfect shot. At the University of Puerto Rico (RP), she got her degree in Audiovisual Communications. She’s also an English major and got her MA in English Linguistics, as she appreciates language structure and wanted to have the right tools to help people understand how they can better communicate through language.
She dreams of traveling the world to expand her knowledge of food. (So, yes, she loves to eat, especially drink bubble tea.) She’s also proud to be a soap aficionado (hello, Lush); obsessed with things running smoothly and efficiently (hellooo planners); and a dog lover.
Sara is an italianriccan architect and lighting designer that grew up between Italy, NYC and Puerto Rico. With an academic background in Architecture from the University of Rome and a Master Degree in Lighting Design and LED technology from the Polytechnic University of Milan, Sara has successfully completed retail and residential projects in Rome, Milan, New York, Miami, Boston, San Juan, Hanoi and China. After spending her last decade between Europe and the US she has recently joined the Piloto151 family as Chief of Architecture and Design for both Piloto151 and Piloto White Label.
With a passion for music, hound dogs and art shows, Sara is a frequent flyer so when not in a construction site or in her design studio you can probably find her in an airport waiting to catch a plane.
Kathia Toraño is a Certified Public Accountant with a passion for providing small businesses and corporations with strategic financial and business management tools that allow them to succeed. After over a decade of working with companies in New York City, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles, Kathia returns home to Puerto Rico and joins the Piloto 151 family.
Loyal and OCD to a fault, Kathia balances her strength of character through her love for yoga, the beach, and her family. She enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and exploring foreign cultures.
Sofía Stolberg is a serial entrepreneur, mentor and entrepreneurship ecosystem developer with experience across diverse industries and international markets. She is the CEO of Piloto 151, Puerto Rico’s first coworking space and growth platform for entrepreneurs, recently recognized by the US Small Business Administration and the White House as one of 50 organizations nation-wide developing the most innovative programs for high growth potential entrepreneurs to thrive. Her most recent venture is Codetrotters Academy, the first hacker school in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, committed to training the next generation of coders and innovators on the Island. As an ecosystem developer, Sofía has helped strengthen underdeveloped entrepreneurial and startup communities internationally. She co-directs the Founder Institute Puerto Rico chapter and has previously collaborated with Babson College, leading and advising international multi-stakeholder entrepreneurial initiatives (including Manizales-Más and Scale-up Milwaukee) to support and accelerate the development of high growth ventures. Sofía has also provided consulting services to local and multinational clients in the financial, insurance, consumer-based products, and oil and gas industries in countries across Latin America, the US and Africa.
In her spare time Sofía provides mentoring to startups and entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico and abroad, and serves on the Board of the Puerto Rico Creative Economy Initiative and the San Juan Tech Meetup. She is also the Founder and Chairwoman of Piloto Labs, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening Puerto Rico’s startup and tech community. Sofía is frequently invited to speak at international entrepreneurship conferences and acts as judge at game jams and hackathons. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia University and a Masters in Economic Development Management from the London School of Economics. She enjoys dancing (mostly salsa and tango), cooking, extreme sports, contributing to her family’s art collection, and reading Latin American fiction novels.
Juan Carlos Stolberg is a corporate and transactional attorney with experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, startup law, art law, fashion law, restaurant and hospitality law and general corporate matters. Mr. Stolberg has represented clients working in a variety of fields, including real estate developers, fund advisers, tech startup founders, beverage distributors, restaurant owners, fashion retailers and art dealers.
Prior to starting his own law firm in 2011, Mr. Stolberg was an associate in the Corporate, Capital Formation and Securities Law Department of Tannenbaum Helpern LLP in New York City. His practice at Tannenbaum Helpern LLP involved assisting in the structuring of a broad range of transactions, including, among other things, asset and stock acquisitions, private placement offerings, art investment funds, distribution of tangible goods and franchise offering circulars.
