Challenge-driven, results-oriented. Laura understands that collaboration and clear communication are key when exploring, implementing, and evaluating innovative solutions. She obtained her degree in Economics and Latin American Studies from Washington University in St. Louis. Her love for community-driven economic development fueled her return to Puerto Rico, where she has worked non-stop to grow the island’s tech entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At Piloto 151, Laura focuses her efforts on connecting coworking spaces and property managers with the most robust snail-mail management solution in the market – Piloto Mail. In her free time, Laura enjoys working out, watching 90s sci-fi reruns, and listening to people’s stories.
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.
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.
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.
Mangie has a B.A. in Economics from the University Of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, and a Master’s in Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility from EAE Business School in Madrid. She also completed an internship at U.S. Congress, so let’s just say that politics and social issues get debated in her environment all the time. She also enjoys organization and for things to get done.
All in all, she’s a simple gal who loves to read and food too, mostly because of her diverse cultural upbringing (she’s Colombian, Chinese, and Puerto Rican). She also loves to watch sports, but lacks the skills to actually play them and enjoys traveling for the culture and the food, obviously. Say hi if you are around!
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.
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.