Meet Our Team

Victoria Palasieski

Principal Consultant & Program Manager

Victoria Palasieski is a Principal Consultant at NYSTEC and the Program Manager for IgniteU. In this role, she oversees the IgniteU programming that supports New York State’s economic and workforce initiatives, including the IgniteU Fellowship, STEAM, and Podcast. She works closely with students, educators, and business leaders to ensure each program is intentional, engaging, and fulfills the evolving needs of New York’s workforce and communities.

With a background in association management and industrial/organizational psychology, Victoria approaches program leadership with structure and empathy. She cares deeply about creating opportunities that feel meaningful, not just on paper, but in practice, and is committed to building partnerships that strengthen connections between education, industry, and long-term growth across the state.

Contact Victoria at vpalasieski@nystec.com.

Dayna Maniccia

Principal Consultant

My background and experience varied. Since completing an undergraduate degree in biology, I have worked as an electron microscopy technician in a neurophysiology / neuroanatomy research laboratory, completed a master’s degree in health policy and management and a doctoral degree in public health with a focus on social behavior and community health. My areas of expertise include research methods and program planning and evaluation. While in graduate school I worked as a policy and workforce researcher, evaluated statewide demonstration programs, and was an assistant director of a federally funded training center. For the past 15 years, I have worked fulltime as a college professor.

I am currently working with the IgniteU Fellowship and STEAM programs as well as developing and conducting program evaluations. Additionally, I work on grants and assist with IgniteU training and business development activities as needed.

My favorite project is anything that allows me to get in front of students or anyone who wants to learn. By working with others to help them improve their skills and increase their knowledge I get to learn too.

I teach Spin(c) classes three times a week at a local YMCA.

Contact Dayna at dmaniccia@nystec.com

Connect on LinkedIn: Dayna M. Maniccia | LinkedIn

Kim Fredericks

Senior Principal Consultant

As a Senior Principal Consultant, Kim has extensive experience in research, commercialization, technology assessments, technology transfer and transition, entrepreneurial principles and processes, and in working to create programs and relationships among business, government, and nonprofit communities. In her current role she provides expertise to both state and federal clients as well as IgniteU programming and consultation.

Contact Kim at kfredericks@nystec.com.

Shae Brown

Senior Consultant

Shae Brown is an experienced broadcasting engineer and event coordinator. They have a strong background in creating hybrid or fully virtual environments for events that historically were in person. Shae can wear many hats, operating as technical support, production coordinator, virtual platform UX lead, animations specialist, graphic design, event marketing, and even appearing occasionally as a moderator or host for different programming. Shae has been lending their technical expertise to support small businesses in New York State since 2017.

Contact Shae at sbrown@nystec.com.

Celia (CeCe) Whalen

Associate Consultant

Graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2024. Bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, my degree and experience equips me to have a deep understanding of how to drive growth and implement creative strategies within organizations.

During my time as an intern for NYSTEC and IgniteU powered by NYSTEC, I had the opportunity to apply my academic knowledge to real world projects, refining my expertise in consulting, problem-solving and innovation.

My favorite project has been the workshops, meeting and getting to work with the entrepreneurs and small business owners in the area is really unique!

Fun Fact: I have two different colored eyelashes, one brown and one blonde!

Contact CeCe: cwhalen@nystec.com

Kyla Shirley

Associate Consultant

Bio Coming Soon!