Our Staff and Leadership
Founders
Ryan Rich-STEM Space Director and President
Ryan Rich is a STEM educator, robotics coach, and maker with a passion for hands-on, process-driven learning. With experience working primarily with middle and high school students, he is dedicated to creating an enriching, engaging, and supportive learning space for all. He has an extensive background in mathematics tutoring, space research, and summer camp/after-school programming.
His dedication to STEM education has earned him multiple awards, including the Coach and Mentor Award at his team’s FIRST Lego League (FLL) competition in 2023 and the Youth Mentor of the Year Award for Maryland in 2022.
In 2025, Ryan was internationally recognized as one of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educator Recognition Program honorees, a global cohort celebrating exceptional educators who inspire students through classroom instruction and after-school STEM engagement. Ryan has also been a speaker at several STEM mentor conferences, including at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and UMBC in both 2024 and 2025, sharing his insights on STEM education and team development.
His dedication to STEM education has earned him multiple awards, including the Coach and Mentor Award at his team’s FIRST Lego League (FLL) competition in 2023 and the Youth Mentor of the Year Award for Maryland in 2022.
In 2025, Ryan was internationally recognized as one of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Educator Recognition Program honorees, a global cohort celebrating exceptional educators who inspire students through classroom instruction and after-school STEM engagement. Ryan has also been a speaker at several STEM mentor conferences, including at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and UMBC in both 2024 and 2025, sharing his insights on STEM education and team development.
Ryan Schrenk-STEM Space Engineering Advisor and Vice President
Ryan Schrenk is an experienced professional with an B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering from Capitol Technology University. He has previously worked as a mathematics and physics instructor, research associate and professor at both Capitol Technology University and Anne Arundel Community College.
Much of his research expertise is in small form satellites and payloads, notably serving as a principal investigator and lead engineer for the CACTUS-I satellite. Some of his other projects include a NASA High Altitude Student Platform(HASP) Payload, Sounding Rocket Payloads, and RockSatX hosted by Wallops Flight Facility. He also is very active in the Maryland STEM education community as both a consultant for the public school system and advocate for accessible STEM programs.
Much of his research expertise is in small form satellites and payloads, notably serving as a principal investigator and lead engineer for the CACTUS-I satellite. Some of his other projects include a NASA High Altitude Student Platform(HASP) Payload, Sounding Rocket Payloads, and RockSatX hosted by Wallops Flight Facility. He also is very active in the Maryland STEM education community as both a consultant for the public school system and advocate for accessible STEM programs.
Staff
Kit Kellam-Assistant Director
Kit Kellam is a passionate advocate for hands-on learning and STEM engagement. A recent graduate of the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) engineering program at Archbishop Spalding High School, he completed his high school career with distinction and now studies mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. Kit brings several years of experience working directly with youth as a camp counselor and mentor. He is an alum of the FIRST Robotics program and now gives back as a coach for FIRST Lego League teams, where he shares his enthusiasm for problem-solving, design thinking, and collaborative learning. In recognition of his commitment to STEM outreach, Kit was awarded the AFCEA Central Maryland Chapter Freedom STEM Scholarship.
Nathan Winn-Marketing Director
Nathan Winn is the head of marketing and media at STEM Space, where he works to promote the foundation through self-produced photo and video content. Nathan is a graduate of Archbishop Spalding High School and a current student at the University of Tampa, where he is majoring in marketing with a minor in media production. After having started his own media production company, WinnProductions, at 16, making small, independent, short films, he has quickly grown his passion into a successful business specializing in content production through numerous mediums (e.g., photography, videography, and video production). Now, working as a digital media producer and award-winning filmmaker, Nathan has had the pleasure of working with companies such as the Annapolis Film Festival, the Friends of the Lighthouse Foundation, and countless other independent contractors to help promote their organizations through digital marketing, video production, and photography. To learn more about Nathan and his work, you can find him on Instagram at @natewinnfilms or contact him directly at [email protected].
Austin Kehres-Instructor
Austin Kehres is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering through the Lampe Joint Department at NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. A proud graduate of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program at Mount Hebron High School, Austin brings strong design and problem-solving skills developed through hands-on STEM education. In addition to his academic experience, Austin has spent several years working directly with youth as a camp counselor, coach, and sports referee. Along with coding, he is passionate about developing new and practical skills that will solve real-world problems.
Ilana Chabifor-Instructor
Ilana Chabifor is a senior at Glen Burnie High School with a passion for robotics, cognitive science, and hands-on STEM learning. She has completed advanced coursework including AP Computer Science Principles, Technological Design, and Honors Principles of Engineering through Project Lead the Way, along with a dual-enrollment at Anne Arundel Community College in psychology.
Ilana is committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for kids in STEM. She is actively launching her school’s Black Engineering and Medical Association Club and mentors younger kids, including supporting her younger brother’s academic growth.
She believes that play is a meaningful way kids learn and that teaching others deepens understanding. Ilana’s long-term goal is to design robots that support human growth in emotional, cognitive, and functional ways to create a better and more inclusive futures for all.
Ilana is committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for kids in STEM. She is actively launching her school’s Black Engineering and Medical Association Club and mentors younger kids, including supporting her younger brother’s academic growth.
She believes that play is a meaningful way kids learn and that teaching others deepens understanding. Ilana’s long-term goal is to design robots that support human growth in emotional, cognitive, and functional ways to create a better and more inclusive futures for all.
Rajit Rath-Instructor
Rajit Rath is a junior at Mount Hebron High School. He believes that it is essential to teach the new generation about the wonders of STEM, and he believes that STEM education is a necessity, especially in areas where STEM programs are not as abundant. In his free time, he enjoys building computers and working with technology, and he wants to pursue electrical engineering in his higher education. He is also part of a FIRST Robotics Challenge team and a FIRST Tech Challenge team, and he believes that robotics is the future. He hopes to spread the importance of STEM through STEM Space