Leadership Team

Dick Co, Director

Dick Co is a scientist, educator, and startup founder who believes in the power of entrepreneurship to improve lives and unlock the human and technological potential needed for a more prosperous planet.

As Director of Chain Reaction Innovations, Dick works with the CRI team and stakeholders to create and implement programming and vision that continually deepen and grow CRI’s impact. With a track record of forming successful strategic alliances across diverse ideas and partners, Dick is passionate about applying his analogical thinking to help others thrive in the complex worlds of hard tech.

Immediately prior to his role at CRI, Dick advised tech startups in catalysis, the built environment, and synthetic biology. While a faculty member at Northwestern University, he published regularly in peer-reviewed journals covering topics from early-stage commercialization strategies to ultrafast photochemistry.

Dick is an Executive Scholar at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and he holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics and A.M. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Harvard University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

Deena Wright, Senior Fellowship & Program Manager

Deena Wright is the Senior Fellowship & Program Manager for Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) at Argonne National Laboratory. She joined CRI in 2018 after eight years in the User Program Office for Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source (APS). In her current role, Deena oversees all aspects of CRI’s two-year fellowship, including onboarding new cohorts, organizing workshops, and facilitating connections with mentors, investors, and industry experts.

In addition to managing the Fellowship, Deena leads the CRI team to ensure alignment, productivity, and ongoing process improvements. She oversees program operations, including staff coordination, budget management, and strategic initiatives, employing innovative approaches to achieve program goals.

Deena also created and manages the Students for Energy & Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Internship Program, which connects undergraduate students from Chicago-area universities with CRI startups to gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience.

Her contributions have earned her an Argonne Board of Governor’s Award for Distinguished Performance (2021) and Impact Argonne Awards (2022, 2023). Deena holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from Lewis University, is a 2021 Chicago Clean Energy Leadership Institute Fellow, and completed the Strategic Laboratory Leadership Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Executive Education (2024).

Photo of Rachel Harris

Rachel Harris, Technical Project Manager

Rachel joined CRI in 2023 as Technical Project Manager (TPM), bringing with her six years of invaluable experience leading global projects in industry. Prior to joining Argonne, Rachel held various R&D roles in formulation and materials science capability development. Her research expertise spans a uniquely wide variety of projects and business sectors – from improving fuel economy in the transportation industry through corrosion protection to enabling a suite of digital products for color styling. An effective collaborator, many of her projects involved coordination between colleagues in research, production, marketing, accounting, legal, and strategic roles.

As TPM, Rachel focuses on providing the technical, business, and project management mentorship to climate tech startups to help these innovators scale their businesses and accelerate commercialization of new technologies. Rachel partners closely with CRI innovators and Argonne PIs to advance the development process and ensure projects adhere to Argonne’s organizational objectives and core values.

In addition to her certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, and she earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from Northwestern University as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. In 2021, Rachel was named a STEP Ahead Emerging Leader by the Manufacturing Institute.

photo of Janelle Richmond

Janelle Richmond, Integrated Communications Manager

Janelle Richmond joined Chain Reaction Innovations in March 2020. She brings a wealth of communications, marketing and PR experience to her role as Integrated Communications Manager. Janelle is a dynamic professional with demonstrated achievements in the public relations and communications industries. A gifted storyteller and content strategist, she has experience in nonprofit organizations, STEM innovation, digital media, healthcare, and higher education.

As part of the CRI team, Janelle provides communications and marketing support for the department’s broad-based internal and external initiatives. That includes conveying the value of science and technology entrepreneurship to a variety of key audiences. Her other responsibilities include communication support for departmental and Argonne initiatives to showcase the impact of energy and science-based tech. She also manages the department’s website and social media platforms to increase awareness and engagement and plans departmental special events.

Before joining CRI, Janelle worked as a consultant, advising clients how to position themselves within competitive industries. She developed and executed communication, marketing, and fundraising plans.

Janelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dira Melissa Delpech, Operations & SEED Program Coordinator

Dira Melissa “Mel” Delpech is a driven, energetic, adaptable, organized, team and goal-oriented leader in the fields of Engineering and STEM education looking to make impact. As a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice advocate, she values thoughtfulness, creativity, and humanism to empower those who need help and support. Her cultural competencies allow her to offer unique perspectives and solutions to emerging problems.

Mel first joined Chain Reaction Innovations as a GEM Fellow in June 2021 and then was hired as the Operations and Students for Energy and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Program Coordinator in February 2023. In this position, Mel is responsible for standard procedures that will ensure smooth operations of CRI on a day-to-day basis including the innovator applications system, managing work projects, compiling info for export control reviews, and acting as liaison with other divisions.

Mel also coordinates the multiple program implementation aspects of the SEED Internship Program including intern recruiting and onboarding, networking events, general support of interns and startups and creating intern programming, all in close collaboration with the University Student Programs group within Institutional Partnerships.

Mel earned her bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and French from the University of Rhode Island and her master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Ohio State University.

Wenora Johnson, Administrative Support

Wenora Johnson joined the Chain Reaction Innovations Team as Administrative Support in 2018. In this position, she provides administrative support for the CRI Director and Leadership Team.

Wenora has a diverse back ground with over 20 plus years of administrative experience that includes working for the federal and local municipal government. Her diligence and professionalism has earned her recognition by Joliet Job Corps for establishing a Mentoring curriculum for youths enrolled in their student program. In her spare time, she also serves as a Healthcare Advocate and Peer Reviewer for DOD Healthcare Projects.

Wenora earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, while serving in the United States Navy as a Reservist for 8 years.

 

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