Sheila Baker
Grants Program Manager
Sheila Baker has always been driven by her passion for science, discovery, and problem-solving throughout her professional journey. She pursued her undergraduate studies in chemistry at Georgia Southern University, and later obtained a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo. During her time with a life sciences startup, Sheila discovered her entrepreneurial inclinations. This experience influenced her decision to focus on cultivating intellectual property with commercial potential when she joined the University of Missouri as an Assistant Professor. Her goal was to translate academic research into viable startups
Sheila enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in activities together, such as visiting Eagle Bluffs to capture wildlife photos and visiting Missouri’s zoos, aquariums, and parks. She also has a love for reading and gardening, although she would like to further develop her gardening abilities, as she has gained a reputation for unintentionally causing the demise of seemingly indestructible plants. As the new Grants Program Manager at MTC, Sheila is thrilled to apply her science background, research and grants experiences, and passion for entrepreneurship to support and expand Missouri’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Taylor Kasper
Operations Manager
Taylor Kasper has a background in administration and operations, and her strong organizational skills led her to her current career path. She is excited about working for MTC because she believes in the company’s mission and the opportunity to help a startup succeed. Taylor values the importance of every member of a company and staying updated with industry trends through podcasts. Her personal history as an adopted only child has shaped her perspective on the importance of the people you surround yourself with.
In her leisure time, Taylor enjoys cooking, gardening, writing, and acting. She particularly enjoys visiting the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and frequenting places like the Lake of the Ozarks, Weston, and Columbia in Missouri. In her new role as Operations Manager at MTC, Taylor is enthusiastic about strengthening the internal systems of MTC to ensure efficient operations and improved service to our stakeholders. The best career advice she’s received is that mistakes are always fixable.
