What is ATHENA?
Athena Rapid Response Innovation Lab
Originally founded in 2016 as “TechGarden” in Alexandria, VA, the organization has grown to encompass a broad range of services. We have rebranded to reflect this expanded mission. We are proud to serve both the local community and communities in need around the planet.
Our Mission:
Provide tools and training at the point of need.
But… why “Athena”?
Athena is the name of the Greek goddess associated with wisdom, courage (especially in warfare), and crafting. These are also traits we value as we work to harness collective wisdom during turbulent times and direct that energy toward crafting solutions! In looking for a symbol of the work we do, Athena stood out both as a representation of our intent and as a reminder of the ability of communities to create lasting international impact.
ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab is the new name for TECHGARDEN INC, EIN 81-1653441.
The ATHENA Team
We have an incredible group of partners and supporters that enable our work!
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all of those supporting ATHENA’s efforts.
Brad Halsey
Founder, Chairman of the Board
Brad is the CEO and Founder of Building Momentum and the co-Founder of ATHENA (then known as TechGarden). He a US Navy veteran and has years of experience supporting soldiers in the field as a contractor for the US ARMY Rapid Equipping Force. Brad loves to throw himself into a project that solves problems and leaves a lasting impact.
Albert Vega
Co-Founder, Board Member
Albert is the CTO for Building Momentum and co-founder of ATHENA (formerly known as Tech Garden). He has a PhD electrical engineering and has supported warfighters in Afghanistan from a mobile prototyping lab.
Lauren Bell
Board Member
Lauren Bell, the Founder and Managing Director of LaCire, is an experienced operations advisor and subject matter expert who has built and grown companies. She has experience in corporate operations, program management, human capital and P&L leadership. She has worked in the public and private sectors both within the US and internationally. She has also provided subject matter expertise in public health planning and capabilities analyses throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and created meta-analyses for cross-border pandemic preparedness studies. Lauren was also previously a project director and conducted meta-analyses on effectiveness of health-focused humanitarian missions throughout the South Pacific and South America. Ms. Bell currently serves as a subject matter expert to the US Department of Health and Human Services and has supported the Navy Bureau of Medicine on issues such as exercise planning, pandemic preparedness, and disaster relief..
Tim Bailey
Board Member
Tim is a catalyst, connecting and empowering communities of all kinds. He comes from a non-profit background with an emphasis on space exploration. After a stint supporting technology development programs for DARPA and hands-on training for the US Marine Corps, Tim has been leading the Nation of Makers’ work supporting Dept of Energy prize challenge programs. Tim is also a part-time Flight Attendant for parabolic flights used to train astronauts and prepare experiments for spaceflight. He also serves on the Board and as Executive Director for Yuri’s Night, a nonprofit using space to bring the world together.
Cheyanne Dwyer
Board Member
Cheyanne Dwyer is the Director of Education and Programming for Building Momentum. She is an expert facilitator, problem solver, and teacher who loves empowering groups to solve their problem. When not flying around the world to solve wicked problems she is enjoying time with her dog and a good puzzle.
Allen Brooks
Acting Executive Director, Board Member
Allen Brooks is the Chief Creative Officer of Building Momentum and is responsible for the creative vision behind the Garden, the company's event space and beloved community hub. He is involved in a number of civic-focused organizations including the ALX Chamber, the Board of Eisenhower Partnership, and the Eisenhower West/Landmark Van Dorn Implementation Advisory Group. He is also on the Advisory Council for the District Makers Collective and has been actively involved in the public schools system organizing field trips with the goal to introduce students to careers in STEM, as well as working towards developing a training program for teachers in the Alexandria Public School System.
John Chapman
Board Member
John, who is a fourth-generation Alexandrian, graduated from Saint Stephen's and Saint Agnes School. He is a 2003 graduate of Saint Olaf College, where he received his bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education. John is also a 2008 graduate of the Minority Political Leadership Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University and a 2010 graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at University of Virginia.
Professionally, he is a career educator and currently works as a Community Use Program Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools. In addition, John is also founder of the award-winning Manumission Tour Company, which focuses on telling the stories of African Americans in early Alexandria through tours and presentations. He also currently serves on the Alexandria City Council, a seat he has won three consecutive times since 2012.