We live in an era of unprecedented technological marvels. We can edit genomes, launch reusable rockets into space, and connect the entire planet through pocket-sized supercomputers. Yet, millions of people still die from preventable waterborne diseases. Farmers lose entire harvests to predictable droughts. Reliable, clean energy remains a luxury. 

Demitri Nzo (Balabanov) is the founder of IFG and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors. Born in Belarus and educated in the USA, he has had a life-long fascination with technology, the science of invention, and the human mind that makes it all possible. 

He has degrees in Physics and Nanoscience and was a researcher at universities in Massachusetts and North Carolina. In addition to academia, Demitri has worked several years in industry as a Research & Development (R&D) leader for a large multinational corporation, happily splitting his time between the Bay Area and the East Coast. He has recently re-focused his attention on his first love, inventing, and is working to develop robotic manufacturing systems for the apparel industry to reduce the negative effects of “fast-fashion” on the developing nations and the environment.  

Demitri has traveled the world extensively, and has been deeply affected by the social, cultural, and environmental conditions he observed that are in stark contrast to the high-tech environment he finds at home. He believes that with appropriate cultural sensitivity, much human suffering can be alleviated with technological capacity, infrastructure, resources, and solutions. He created IFG for this purpose.  Demitri is an integral part of IFG and our mission as an inventor, entrepreneur, and humanitarian philanthropist. He lives in Boston, MA with his family.

Elena Ziu is an Adjunct Physics Professor at Northern Virginia Community College and the Design Challenge Coordinator with NOVA IET. She brings extensive experience in STEM education, combining her passion for teaching with hands-on innovation and leadership.

Elena has developed and led initiatives such as the Spring 2024 Design Challenge, where she coordinated workshops on design thinking and fabrication skills, recruited judges, and organized the awards ceremony. As a coach for the American Rocketry Challenge and VEX Robotics, she mentors students in engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving, inspiring young minds to pursue excellence in science and technology.

Her work bridges theoretical learning with practical application, empowering students to become creative thinkers and future leaders in the STEM fields. We are fortunate to have her join our board and provide guidance for the furture of IFG!

Stephanie Sedberry joined IFG as the Executive Director in 2021. Prior to joining IFG, Stephanie’s career was in higher education, both as a university faculty member in Communication Studies then as an administrator, grant-writer, and project manager for a Physics research group focused on improving educational disparities in STEM fields. She has also served as the director of a childcare nonprofit and spent years volunteering with the Girl Scouts of the USA. She has a Ph.D in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations from UNC Greensboro and a B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies from UNC Chapel Hill.  Her career has largely focused on where education meets technology, exploring their evolving relationship.

Informed by science and motivated by compassion, Stephanie believes that we all have both the ability and responsibility to create a more humane, just, and compassionate world. She believes that with access to a quality education and technology, vulnerable communities can invent and implement solutions to their most pressing problems, and help create the infrastructure necessary for future generations to overcome poverty and inequities.

Stephanie loves to travel, solve puzzles, and adores furry creatures big and small. She speaks fluent Portuguese and has two millennial daughters who share her passion for social justice. She lives in Greensboro, NC with her husband, John and 2 orange cats.

Salah El Sadi is an environmental engineer and innovation-driven professional with over 15 years of experience spanning research, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. His work centers on developing eco-friendly, innovative solutions that address critical challenges in water, environmental systems, and resource efficiency, particularly in complex and resource-constrained environments.

Salah has extensive experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and research and development (R&D), where he integrates scientific knowledge with practical innovation to design scalable and impactful solutions. He has led multiple initiatives that combine environmental sustainability with creative problem-solving, contributing to improved water access, climate resilience, and community well-being.

He is actively engaged in international professional networks and has participated in global forums, research collaborations, and innovation-driven programs. His work has been recognized through various awards and competitive platforms, reflecting both the strength of his ideas and their real-world applicability.

Salah is deeply committed to advancing green innovation, sustainable technologies, and business-driven environmental solutions, positioning invention and innovation as key drivers for positive change.