Our Team
Every day at Shield AI, brilliant, hardworking and teammates define state-of-the-art and contribute to a mission with massive impact.
Every day at Shield AI, brilliant, hardworking and teammates define state-of-the-art and contribute to a mission with massive impact.
“Every goal our company sets out to accomplish is supported by integrity.
ELLEN CAPPO, AI Systems and integration MANAGER
We use human experts to build artificial intelligence — to design tests, review data and come up with solutions to complex problems. We use AI to develop AI.”
At Shield AI, Ellen is tasked with the unique challenge of adapting robot behaviors to facilitate teamwork. For Ellen, teaming robots is an exciting and distinctive goal as she uses human experts to build artificial intelligence — to design tests, review data and come up with solutions to complex problems. Upon earning mechanical engineering and robotics degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, Ellen knew she wanted to apply her education to a meaningful mission. She ultimately landed at Shield AI after exploring opportunities to serve in the U.S. military. In her free time, she loves Latin Dance and great barre classes.
Favorite musical genre? Spanish guitar
“Excellence is the bar set high enough that we reach for it but can never grasp it.
And as we reach for that high bar — continuously growing; learning; innovating; adapting; and evolving — the bar moves.”
-Nate Michael, CTO
“On the days with the most pressure, I think about what an honor it is to have this opportunity to do something meaningful.
Chris Barngrover, VP of Hivemind Engineering
The problems we’re trying to solve are some of the hardest the DoD has to offer, the timelines for the needs are imminent, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. That combination is so unique and exciting, I doubt any of us will experience anything like it again in our careers.”
Chris, a cornerstone of the Hivemind engineering team, has been instrumental in its growth since he joined Shield AI in 2017. As a proud Purdue alumnus and passionate computer scientist, he is keen on advancing reliable software and promoting collaborative autonomy for the benefit of warfighters. Outside work, Chris embraces San Diego life as an enthusiastic girl dad, a Peloton warrior, an early-morning surfer, and an IPA connoisseur.
Hard or soft taco? Burrito
“I can confidently say that I have never worked with a better group of engineers.”
Christina Wettersten, Engineering Manager
Christina, a proud alumna of MIT, has nurtured her passion for robotics over the years, even once training robotic agents to compete in an AI soccer match through reinforcement learning methods during a four-month graduate research stint in Korea. Here at Shield AI, she has successfully founded her Task Planning Team and, impressively, has managed to expand it threefold from its original size in a relatively short span of time. A novice in nail art and an enthusiastic supporter of women’s sports, notably the San Diego Wave and San Diego Super Bloom, Christina’s eclectic interests embody the essence of Shield AI’s culture.
Pineapple on pizza? Yes.
“There are many ways to conduct ourselves, but we choose to conduct ourselves in a manner that is moral,
good, and of high standards to leave the world better than it is – simply because it is the right thing to do.”
-Brandon Tseng, President & Cofounder
“At Shield AI questions are actively encouraged as we continually seek new knowledge to fulfill our mission.
Kingsley Afemikhe, Chief Financial Officer
I remember being a child in Africa looking at the stars, wondering what made them shine. That curiosity led me to science and to study engineering, and then on to a career in finance. I yearn to learn and grow each day, and Shield AI cultivates an environment where that aspiration becomes a reality.”
Kingsley studied both management and chemical engineering in college. Born in Nigeria and raised in Britain, Kingsley has also worked in Switzerland. He now calls the United States his fourth home. He was drawn to the US because of its openness, optimism and constant innovation.
Favorite Nintendo character? Luigi. I see Luigi as a CFO to Mario. The righthand man.
“Engaging with our customers daily keeps my role exhilarating.
Renee Hubener, Program Manager
One aspect of my work that I find profoundly rewarding is the opportunity to support Marine Corps operations directly, especially after being disconnected from the Marines for almost two decades.”
As a distinguished U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Renee transitioned from working on the complex avionics of F/A-18 aircraft to masterfully managing a Global V-BAT Fleet. Currently, she thrives in her role as a program manager for contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) deployment operations, liaising directly with Shield AI’s field support representatives and military customers.
Favorite movie? Pride & Prejudice (Kiera Knightley)
