About Moonshot

Moonshot logo with a stylized rocket and circle design

We’re excited to share who we are as a nonprofit and a City of Flagstaff Partner.

History of Moonshot as a City of Flagstaff Partner

The Short Story:

Moonshot is an Arizona-based 24-year-old 501c3 non-profit organization ​whose mission is twofold: we help moonshot-thinking subject matter experts bring products and services to market AND we help cities in rural Arizona develop entrepreneurial ecosystems that create jobs.

Moonshot is contracted by the city of Flagstaff to provide mentorship, educational classes, and additional support services for tenants as well as manage leasing and campus operations. We are proudly headquartered at the City of Flagstaff Campus.

The Long Story:

Launched in 2001, our 501c3 nonprofit named NATBI (Northern Arizona Technology and Business Incubator) set out to help Northern Arizona entrepreneurs start building their dreams.

In 2007, NATBI was rebranded to NACET (Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology) but it wasn't until 2008 when the EDA (Economic Development Association) grant funded the NACET incubator building. In order to receive the funds, a non-profit organization was needed: enter NACET. The original grant funding partners were Northern Arizona University, The City of Flagstaff, and NACET.

The city of Flagstaff contracted NACET to run the entrepreneurship program and manage leasing/facilities on campus. The city of Flagstaff owns the campus.

In 2016, the Accelerator building opened offering additional office, lab, and light manufacturing space to startup founders in Flagstaff. Scott Hathcock was brought on as President and CEO in late 2016. Since then, he and the Moonshot team have grown the nonprofit budget from $700K annually to $2 million dollars annually in 2025.

In 2017, Hathcock, rebranded NACET to Moonshot—honoring our city's rich history of training Apollo astronauts—and continued to help Northern Arizona founders thrive and grow. The occupancy percentage in the Accelerator rose from 3% to 60%.

In 2018, Moonshot also launched a multi-city entrepreneurship competition focusing on rural Arizona and became a trusted mentor to other cities across Arizona, Nevada, and Washington state, helping those communities create entrepreneurial ecosystems while expanding Moonshot's footprint and network of founders and mentors. In 2024, Moonshot was awarded $2.2 million dollars in grant funding to help expand the tour to 20 stops across Arizona.

Today, we're still proudly headquartered at the City of Flagstaff campus, but we continue to strive to help all Arizona entrepreneurs, no matter where they live. Particularly those in rural Arizona.

Logo with green and blue circle featuring mountains, accompanied by the text "Choose Flagstaff, The City of Innovation."
Seal and logo of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, featuring mountains, trees, water, and an elk, with an American flag. Text reads "City of Flagstaff, Established 1882."

Meet the Moonshot Statewide Team

  • Smiling man in a suit and white shirt in an office setting.

    Scott Hathcock

    President and CEO

  • Smiling woman with blonde hair in business attire standing in an office.

    Donna Eastman Liddle

    Chief Finance and Operations Officer

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    Kiersten Hathcock

    Chief Marketing Officer

  • Black and white photo of a person wearing glasses and a blazer, smiling in a library setting.

    Angela Hamby

    Director of Flagstaff Campus Operations

  • Portrait of a woman with long hair in a white shirt, in a soft-focus indoor setting.

    Aspen Poturalski

    Flagstaff Campus Coordinator

  • Woman smiling, wearing an off-shoulder top and beaded necklace, in black and white photo.

    Cynthia Magallanes

    Entrepreneurship Success Specialist

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    Alex Magallanes

    Entrepreneurship Success Specialist

  • Portrait of a smiling man wearing a dark shirt, with short hair, set in a circular frame.

    Paul Sciame

    Entrepreneur in Residence

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    Tiffany Pierson

    Program and Events Specialist

Team Bios

  • Scott Hathcock, President and CEO of Moonshot, is a visionary leader with a deep passion for entrepreneurship and storytelling. With nearly two decades of experience in the television industry, Scott has mastered the art of pitching creative series to major cable networks, driving network distribution growth by harnessing the power of narrative. His unique blend of entertainment and business acumen led to the successful rebranding of 'NACET' to 'Moonshot,' transforming it into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs across Arizona. Scott’s leadership has empowered countless startups through strategic mentorship, resource provision, and innovative programming.

    In addition to his role at Moonshot, Scott created and co-produces the annual Rural AZ Pitch Tour and Competition, a statewide initiative that spotlights and supports rural entrepreneurs. His commitment to fostering innovation extends to his strategic work with nonprofit boards and economic development initiatives, where he applies his storytelling expertise to drive measurable results. Scott’s dedication to building collaborative ecosystems and his hands-on approach have made him a key figure in Arizona’s entrepreneurial landscape.

  • Donna Eastman Liddle is an Executive Professional with over 30 years of extensive training in all aspects of nonprofit and for-profit management. Her roles include twelve years as a Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, attaining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) certification, and serving in this industry for 20 years as a local and state business leader.  With many years of experience built upon diverse roles including Main Street and downtown revitalization, finance, grant writing, workforce development, property management, events, sales, economic and business development, as well as state and regional tourism marketing - she has a relevant and dynamic range of experience to draw upon for solutions to current business challenges.  Donna recently attained her Certification for Entrepreneurship Center Management (ECM) from InBIA which is the premier industry credential for staff of incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, small business development centers, and other entrepreneurship programs.

    Donna also has twenty-five years of professional experience in the Arts and owns her own small business.  This gives her the intuitive ability to utilize creative solutions to solve everyday challenges. The same processes that work out challenges in a painting are amazingly like professional problems we face (too busy, overworked, trying to define your center of interest, always looking for a good critique!). Complimenting future endeavors, she is also completing certification as an Art Therapy Practitioner. Having always maintained the importance of being a team player, is the realization that our success is just part of the intertwining work accomplished by every expert associated with the enterprising ideas we launch. Connecting to others who contribute positively imparts a dynamic palette to an amazing and colorful journey!

  • Kiersten Hathcock, Chief Marketing Officer for Moonshot, is no stranger to entrepreneurship. In 2003, Kiersten left a marketing career with A&E and The History Channel to spend more time with her kids and built an internationally-known furniture company out of her Los Angeles garage. After four years of crafting and selling over 300 kids’ furniture items, Kiersten braved ABC’s Shark Tank and won an investment deal. Kiersten's designs have been featured in TV shows, People Magazine, New York Times, LA Times, and international design books. Her award-winning furniture line was sought after by celebrities, interior designers, and retailers around the globe for 17 years. 

    Today, Kiersten leads marketing for Moonshot, co-produces our annual statewide Pitch Tour Competition, and mentors entrepreneurs across Arizona and beyond. She is also a professional speaker, published author (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster), and co-founder of New York-based nonprofit, The National Institute for Law and Justice. 

  • Aspen Poturalski joined Moonshot in October 2024 as Campus Coordinator, combining her passion for community-building and operational efficiency to support the campus and its mission. In addition to her role at Moonshot, Aspen serves as the Director of Operations for High Ridge Leadership, overseeing program logistics for leadership development initiatives aimed at fostering social resilience and environmental sustainability. Outside of work, she is pursuing a certificate in Functional Diagnostics, driven by a fascination for the interconnectedness of soil health and human well-being. With a background in the health and wellness industry, she brings a unique perspective on the connections between personal welfare and effective leadership. When Aspen isn't working or studying, you'll likely find her by the ocean or on the peaks amongst the aspens, her favorite escapes from copious amounts of screen time.

  • Angela Hamby, Director of Campus Operations, has served in leadership roles across Northern Arizona for more than 25 years. Prior to joining Moonshot in 2019, Angela managed operations, accounting, and fundraising for Flagstaff Youth Chorale, William Mountaineers 4-H Club, and Master Chorale of Flagstaff. Her love for rural Arizona and dedication to Flagstaff’s moonshot-thinking entrepreneurs is evident in all she does.  Shortly after starting as Moonshot’s Operations Coordinator six years ago, Angela was quickly promoted to various organizational roles before accepting the role of campus director in 2024.

    Today, Angela resides in Williams, Arizona with her husband, Andrew, and daughter, Allison. When she’s not on managing the Flagstaff Campus, you’ll find her co-leading her beloved church, The Gathering at Shiloh, and volunteering in Williams, Arizona. 

  • Cynthia Magallanes is a dynamic entrepreneur, author, and trauma life coach with a deep passion for creativity, business, and advocacy. In 2013, she began her entrepreneurial journey by founding a successful socially-minded bridal boutique and a nonprofit dedicated to helping abuse survivors. As her career evolved, Cynthia channeled her love for storytelling and advocacy into becoming a published children's book author, crafting engaging and imaginative stories that have captivated young minds and earned praise from parents and educators alike. In addition to her literary work, Cynthia collaborates with her husband as a business coach, using their combined expertise to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through strategic planning, effective marketing strategies, and fostering a resilient mindset. With her multifaceted approach to entrepreneurship, Cynthia continues to inspire others, blending creativity, business acumen, and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in both the advocacy and business worlds.

  • Alex Magallanes has been coaching small business owners for over eight years and is passionate about developing our community's economy through entrepreneurship advocacy. He enjoys connecting with people, finding creative ways to grow their small businesses, and providing innovative ideas for his clients. Alex holds a bachelor's in Ministerial Arts through Epic Bible College and BA in Marketing Analytics from Liberty University.

    ​He currently lives in Sahuarita, AZ, where he enjoys his community along with his wife and three children.

  • Paul Sciame's impressive career includes key positions such as General Manager at Tweddle Group Technologies, where he significantly grew the team and successfully delivered several award-winning automotive technology products, including Toyota Entune and Enform. His strategic vision also led to the acquisition of Tweddle by Nuance Communications.

    At PAS Technology and Ventures, Paul demonstrated his knack for fostering innovation and growth by providing vital investments (angel investments and VC investments) and bridge loans to early-stage startups. His tenure at Vulcan saw him drive pivotal technology partnerships and develop groundbreaking mobile and interactive services. Paul spent most of his career at Microsoft focused on worldwide emerging market initiatives developing and delivering strategies that have resulted in revenue gains and partnerships with some of the world’s most respected companies.

    In addition, Paul is a founding member of Canyon Angels, an angel investment group affiliated with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, a Katz School of Business Advisory Council Member at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, a valued Advisory Board Member at Moonshot, and a volunteer mentor at multiple stops along our Moonshot Rural AZ Pitch Competition Tour. Paul's diverse background and leadership in business development, sales, and marketing make him the ideal ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE and our facilitator for our monthly  Founder's Forum meetings with Moonshot CEOs.

  • Tiffany Pierson is a dedicated non-profit leader with over a decade of experience in community outreach and event management. Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, she has built her reputation through impactful work with The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona and regional community organizations. Tiffany excels at coordinating complex events, from large-scale retreats to virtual gatherings, always ensuring seamless execution while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. Her exceptional ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, combined with her talent for connecting with diverse socio-economic populations, has made her a valuable asset to Arizona's non-profit landscape. Tiffany's commitment to community development continues to drive her work creating meaningful impact through thoughtful leadership and dedicated service.

Board of Directors

Click the “V” next to each name to reveal a LINKEDIN link.

Our Advisory Board

Michael Groeger
VP Commercial Group & Specialty Sales – BCBS of Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

Shareé Hurts
Program Manager, Strategic Partnerships – APS
Phoenix, AZ
 
Adam Fuess
Senior Client Advisor, ACA – Manufacturing Extension Partner
Phoenix, AZ
 
Danny Knee
Executive Director - Community Investment Corporation (CIC)
Tucson, AZ

Barbra Coffee
Economic Initiatives Director – City of Tucson
Tucson, AZ
 
Bonnie Stevens
Public Relations Consultant – Flagstaff Business Journal
Flagstaff, AZ

Jesse Carstens
​Sr. Director, Products - Deckers Brands

​Whitney Slightham
​Founder/CEO, Mesa Marketing