Our Team

PRESIDENT

John Galante is president and co-founder of AE Ventures, a hosted event innovator that drives extraordinary progress at the intersection of technology and construction via dynamic B2B engagement. Galante has additional experience as a publisher, editor and business development leader with EH Media and 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.

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.

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.

DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS

As the Director of Industry Relations at AE Ventures, Bob is responsible for securing, maintaining, and growing the company’s new homebuilder relationships. A skilled communicator and connector, Bob brings a unique and diverse set of business, people, and development skills to the company earned through decades of experience across several industries including the consumer electronics, smart home, manufactured housing & recreational vehicles as well as the automotive aftermarket. Bob and his wife, Lynda, are the proud parents of seven grown children and eleven grandchildren. They enjoy family time, boating and traveling.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Chaurnice graduated from The University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics in 2018. Prior to joining the AE Ventures team, Chaurnice taught 6th-grade math for 3 years. During the Pandemic, Chaurnice decided to change career paths and began pursuing Project management and Digital Marketing. In her free time, you might find her cooking, listening to a podcast, taking photos of her son and her dog, or binge-watching shows on Hulu or Netflix!

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!

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE

Ruben Larios is a Business Development Specialist of AE Ventures, a pioneer in hosted events who uses dynamic B2B engagement to propel outstanding advancement at the nexus of technology and construction. In this role, Ruben works for businesses in a range of industries to aid them in achieving their corporate objectives. He brings creative ideas to AE Ventures and its future development within an industry by drawing on his experience in sales and business-related passions. Ruben is a graduate of Fitchburg State University.

DIRECTOR OF MARKET ENGAGEMENT & ANALYTICS

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.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER

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 of events and customer care from organizing national fitness Summits, website management and volunteering for local nonprofits. She enjoys time with family and friends, her rescue pup and being an avid DIY’er.

CUSTOMER SUCCESS MANAGER

Leigh graduated from Bryant University in May 2014, where she earned a BA in Applied Psychology and a triple minor in Communications, Sociology, and Business Administration. She also played Division 1 volleyball there for 4 years. In Spring of 2014 Leigh interned with Peter Jacobsen Sports, where she managed the volunteer program for the CVS Charity Classic golf tournament, and also got to work hand-in-hand with the charities who benefited from the event. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, hiking, and going to local concerts.

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Katie graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020 with a B.A. in Art History and Arts Administration and a minor in Studio Art. She discovered her interest in marketing during her senior year internship in the Marketing and Communications department of the Harvard Art Museums. She then went on to earn an M.S. in Digital Marketing and Design from Brandeis University in 2021 and joined AE Ventures in 2022. Her professional interests include copywriting/editing, email and social media marketing, campaign and event planning. Outside of work she loves drawing, hiking, practicing yoga and exploring Boston.