People
Philip Siegel
Phil is co-founder of MathHappens and serves on the board. He is also co-founder of TritiumPartners in Austin, TX. Phil took degrees in both math and chemistry as an undergraduate at University of Chicago. Phil attributes his success in his business career to his facility with numbers and understanding of mathematics.
Lauren Siegel
Lauren is co-Founder and Executive Director of MathHappens. She has an undergraduate math degree from University of Chicago. She later completed the UTeach Credential Program at University of Texas at Austin. She served as Head of Math at Ace Academy for five years. Lauren is principal co-author of the article: Teaching Algebra Concepts by Modeling Telescope Optics, she designed the MathHappens conic section models that have been distributed to over 3,500 educators. Lauren directs new programs, and manages and mentors staff. She also serves in a board position for the Austin Museum Partnership.
Matt Siegel
Matt serves on the board of MathHappens. He studied Chemical Engineering at Washington University at St. Louis and recently completed a Professional Master's degree in Mineral Exploration at Colorado School of Mines.
Alex Siegel
Alex is also a boardmember for MathHappens. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and is currently residing and working in Northern California.
Georgia Thomsen
Georgia has been an active member in Central Texas' non-profit and startup community for over eighteen years. Georgia helped launch The Acton School of Business in 2004 and grew the MBA for entrepreneurs from business plan to nationally ranked program in less than five years. She served as their Executive Director from 2004-2010. In addition, Georgia served as the Chief Operations Officer at Capital Factory, one of the largest startup incubators in Texas and was the Chief Programs Officer at Notley, an investment engine for nonprofits. With over a decade of experience working with philanthropic organizations like American Youth Works, Junior League and Girls on the Run, Georgia is an expert in scalability and sustainability for growing non-profits.
Kelli Miller
Kelli is a business professional assisting in building company infrastructure using her accounting, finance, and human resource competencies. She has over 13 years of experience in financial planning and analysis experience in the start-up community. She has made generous contributions leading non-profit community organizations such as HP Arts, Highland Park Booster Club and the West Dallas Collective Impact Education Initiative. She served as director and assistant treasurer for a public software company in Dallas. Kelli holds a BBA in financial planning from Baylor University..
Melissa Wilkinson
Melissa Wilkinson is directing operations for MathHappens Foundation. She graduated from University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and later earned a Masters in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. Melissa taught both Mathematics and Engineering and worked tutoring students at the Foothill College STEM Center. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family her dogs and logic puzzles.
Matthew Hertel
Matthew Hertel is currently the Coordinator of the MathHappens Math Room at the Austin Nature and Science Center. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Matthew has had the opportunity to tutor multiple levels of college mathematics and worked as a teaching assistant in a Project-Based Learning Physics Classroom, where he discovered his passion for supporting students in their learning endeavors. He is currently a PhD student in the STEM Education program at The University of Texas at Austin
Elizabeth Wrightsman
Elizabeth Wrightsman is currently working on Special Projects for MathHappens Foundation. She graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. While working to complete her degree, Elizabeth had the opportunity to tutor various levels of mathematics at Austin Community College, where she discovered her love of teaching and sharing mathematics with the community. Currently, she is working on her PhD in Mathematics Education at Texas State University where she is employed as a Graduate Research Assistant. Elizabeth’s primary research interest is equity in mathematics education and investigating ways to make math more accessible to all. Elizabeth enjoys filling her free time with yoga, video games and geocaching.