The LaunchX Lounge: Meet the Team Powering Summer 2026
LaunchX Summer 26 is almost here. With 6 distinct programs for over 700 Launchies, ranging from core entrepreneurship fundamentals to the launch of market-ready products, the anticipation is exhilarating. Behind the scenes, our team of architects, builders, and mentors is hard at work ensuring this summer isn't just a line on a resume but a turning point for every Launchie.
In this edition of The LaunchX Lounge, we sat down with our core leadership team to discuss their missions, their excitement, and the advice they have for the incoming class of Summer 26.
What are you responsible for this summer?
Forest Richter (President): I am responsible for the health of LaunchX. Ultimately, that means ensuring an incredible experience for our founders while maintaining our growth trajectories as an organization.
Brett Thomas (Education & Student Success Manager): I’m responsible for our participants' experience at the San Diego Exploration and Flagship Programs. My goal is for every person to leave UCSD with a fresh perspective on themselves, the world, and their potential to launch ventures.
Deja Monroe (Program Manager): I make sure everything works! I’m responsible for making sure our high schoolers feel supported and challenged by managing the staff members who work directly with them. If everyone leaves saying their experience changed them for the better, I’ve done my job.
Guillaume Catella (Program Manager): I oversee the experience from Day 1 to Demo Day. This means handling curriculum, instructor support, and behind-the-scenes logistics. I’ll also be teaching a cohort directly. My north star is seeing students walk away with companies that generate real revenue.
What are you most excited about for the Summer 26 Programs?
Guillaume: Honestly? The first day. There is an electricity in the room when students arrive full of ideas and nerves. But if the first day is the spark, Demo Day is the fire. Watching that passion after weeks of hard work never stops amazing me.
Deja: I have two! First, watching students go from an idea to a business with real revenue in just weeks. Second? The pictures! Seeing Launchies happy, exploring top-tier college campuses, and enjoying a new city always brings me joy.
Forest: I love working hands-on with the founders. I get so energized working with the brilliant young people who come to LaunchX. Their passion is infectious and drives me to do more.
Brett: Meeting a new group of individuals interested in making an impact. The students at LaunchX always impress me and excite me for the future of the world.
If you could give one piece of advice to an incoming Launchie, what would it be?
Brett: Balance being flexible with being authentic. Be open to new ideas and people while staying true to yourself. It’s a difficult tightrope, but the people who balance it have the best experience.
Guillaume: You get out exactly what you put in, so pour your soul into it. But don't do it alone. Use your mentors and teammates relentlessly. Stay after class, show up to office hours, and treat every interaction as an opportunity.
Deja: Network and talk to everyone at least twice. It’s not every day you live in a building with people your age from all over the globe. The worst thing you can do is leave only knowing the people in your startup group.
Forest: Take full advantage of everything that the LaunchX experience offers. Yes, that means working extremely hard on building your business. But it also means getting to build a global network of likeminded peers. It means having access to brilliant entrepreneurial minds. It means participating in social programming to step away from work for a bit. You will get out of this program what you put into it.
The LaunchX Lounge
If there is one common thread from our team, it’s that success at LaunchX is about the people you meet as much as the business you build. Whether you are joining us in San Diego or Online, come ready to be all-in. We’ll see you at the starting line.
