Our Team

PRESIDENT

John Galante is president and founder of AE Ventures, a producer of hosted style in-person events and publisher of BuilderInnovator.com, a video-first content portal covering all things innovation for builders and multifamily companies. AE Ventures produces its co-located and integrated TecHome Builder and Housing Transformation Summits twice per year and will serve 250+ sponsoring companies and 300+ hosted guests in 2024. Galante has additional experience as a publisher, editor and business development leader with EH Media, where he led the launch and development of three Fastest Fifty award-winning events. He worked in event development and management for several years with Reed Exhibition Companies. He also has a wealth of experience in the association realm, having served on a number of industry boards and committees, launched associations and worked as a senior staff member of the Consumer Technology Association and chief staff executive of the Security Industry Association.

VIDEO EDITOR

Lucas Arruda, a 2022 graduate of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, is a filmmaker and video editor based in the greater Boston and Providence areas. His experience spans a variety of projects, from filming educational content for higher education to editing commercial marketing videos and music videos for independent artists. In 2022, Lucas made his directorial debut with his thesis film Malibu Soda. Outside of work, Lucas enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching Drag Race and movies.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Before joining the AE Ventures team in June 2022, Katie earned a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing with a minor in Digital Media and Culture from Emerson College. During her time at Emerson, she was captain of her NCAA Division III basketball team, did freelance design work, and was an artist for campus magazines. She has a passion for creating innovative and accessible design solutions. Katie enjoys reading, drawing, and exploring Boston in her free time.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

Sam graduated from Babson College in May 2023 with a B.S. in Marketing. At Babson, she was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team. She also completed an internship the summer before her senior year at Katama Consulting Group where she gained interpersonal and communication skills to prepare her for a sales position at AE Ventures. In her free time, Sam enjoys going to the beach, spending time with friends and baking.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

Colin joined the AE Ventures team in September 2018, after completing his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Rhode Island. Colin gained his client service and customer relationship building skills while at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Power Home Remodeling Group, and Kraft Sports Group. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing fantasy football, and rooting on his Boston sports teams.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

Minal joined AE Ventures after completing her Master’s in Management from Boston University. She brings experience in business development and a passion for connecting the right people to the right opportunities. Outside of work, Minal loves exploring new cafés, planning spontaneous getaways, and spending time with friends and family. She’s always up for a beach day, a good playlist, or a cozy game night.

PROGRAM MANAGER

Chaurnice Houston is the Program Manager at AE Ventures, bringing a strong foundation in analytical thinking and cross-functional execution. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of North Texas and plays a key role in supporting the production of the Builder Innovator events, along with year-round digital and in-person content initiatives. In her role, Chaurnice oversees program timelines, speaker and partner coordination, and production logistics, delivering clarity, organization, and momentum through close collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMIN 

Prior to joining AE Ventures, Donna was the Executive Director and General Manager of several local retail business. At Pandora Jewelry and Tiffany & Co. Donna’s focus was finance, operations and administration. In her spare time Donna enjoys time with family and friends, gardening, volunteering and reading by her backyard koi pond!

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Ryan graduated from Stonehill College in May 2018, where he earned a B.S.B.A. in Finance and a minor in Data Science. Ryan spent his junior and senior years as a finance and administration intern at AE Ventures and now brings a new degree of analytics to the team. Ryan spends his free time outdoors with his goldendoodle, Bear.

CONTENT MARKETING SPECIALIST

Sophia recently graduated from Boston College in 2026 with a BA in Communications and Marketing. Before joining the team full-time, she gained hands-on industry experience as a content marketing intern at AE Ventures during her senior year. She has also freelanced as a social media manager for a variety of accounts, helping brands grow their online presence and engagement. Outside of work, Sophia enjoys watching movies, cooking dinner for her family, cheering on college football and international soccer, and spending time with friends.

SR. MANAGER, CUSTOMER SUCCESS

Joining the team in 2017, Jessica graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management. Prior to AE Ventures, she gained her love and experience in events and customer relationships from interning at The Tomorrow Fund, organizing national fitness education Summits, and planning private events. She values time with family and friends, being at the beach, and adventures with her Golden Retriever, Bentley.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE

Sarah graduated from Tulane in 2026 with a B.S in management. Prior to working at AE Ventures she spent over a year working with Bonfolk in New Orleans specializing in donor relations, community outreach, and event coordination. In her free time Sarah enjoys vintage shopping, cooking, and traveling.

CUSTOMER SUCCESS MANAGER

Leigh has been with the AE Ventures team since 2014. She is a graduate of Bryant University, where she earned a BA in Applied Psychology, and also played Division 1 volleyball. Her love of events first started with an internship at Peter Jacobsen Sports, where she managed the volunteer program for the CVS Charity Classic golf tournament in Bristol, RI. In her spare time Leigh enjoys brunching, beaching, and exploring the Boston area with her husband and toddler.