The Baker Institute team is a small group of talented individuals who are dedicated to our students' success. The Institute is an entrepreneurial venture itself and we practice what we preach: we look for opportunities to create value for our customers by understanding their needs and providing solutions that are transformative.
Director, Baker Institute
Tyler joined the Baker Team in November 2023 after spending nearly a decade at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, PA where he created deeply engaging learning experiences for audiences of any age, from any background. In support of the university's Inspiring the Future Makers strategic plan, he intends to develop and deliver programs that unlock students' capacity for innovation and creative problem solving vis-a-vis embracing the principles of Design Thinking and adopting an Entrepreneurial Mindset in all that they do. Tyler graduated from Lehigh in 2013 with a B.S. Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts, and Sciences (IDEAS) and obtained an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Arizona State University in 2023.
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Most importantly, Tyler believes in supporting others, instilling confidence, and connecting people to one another to help them achieve their goals, across all fields and disciplines.
Senior Administrative Coordinator
With over a decade of service at Lehigh, Catherine is a highly visible, key player within the Baker Institute. Her duties are wide-ranging and cut across numerous programs and events. She provides support and assistance to the Executive Director as well as managing day-to-day operations within Baker, including financials for all programs. Catherine is also responsible for managing its flagship LehighSiliconValley program as the Logistics Manager for LSV.
Program Associate
Dulra is the Founder/CEO of Dot, a cashless experience for immigrant students in Africa, Dulra worked as a consultant for the African Leadership Consulting Group to deliver pro-bono research and consulting for youth-led SMEs in Africa and also worked as a Research Analyst for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center.
He has also served as the Director for Logicae Science Summer Program, where he helped build a scientific research summer program for high school students from 15+ African countries.
He was recently named a Silicon Valley Social Impact Fellow at Lehigh University and a Ford Fund Fellow by the Watson Institute. He also joined the highly selective NASDAQ Milestone Maker Program that comes with intense executive coaching and was recently featured on Nasdaq Times Tower in NYC.
Dulra is the only first-year student to have won the Thalheimer Student Startup Award and he is also the only first-year student to have won the Thalheimer '55 Grand Prize at the recent Baker Institute Annual Awards Dinner.
Office Assistant
In her third year, Ashley remains deeply engaged within the Baker Institute, with her previous involvement in the Hatchery Program, Eureka Pitch Night, and Design Thinking course. During her role as the office assistant, Ashley creates posters, captures vital moments, assists with program events, and promotes social awareness within the organization. At Lehigh, she plays an active role in many organizations like the Southeast Asia at Lehigh Club and Great Pocono Escape. In her free time, she loves being with her friends and family, while doing various crafts like crocheting!