Introducing Marifer, Managing Director of Community

Builder, mentor, and now leading community at Groundswell Startups.

Author

Groundswell Startups
March 27, 2026

Groundswell Members, meet Marifer Sagastume!

We’re excited to welcome Marifer Sagastume as the new Managing Director of Community at Groundswell Startups. 

Raised in Panama, Marifer brings a deep passion for educating, connecting, and building meaningful communities. She pairs this with a strong technical foundation, creating a rare blend of engineering rigor and community-driven leadership that aligns perfectly with Groundswell’s mission.

Marifer holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and STEM Education, along with an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Her professional journey includes work in cardiac monitoring engineering at React Dx, and most recently, serving as an Engineering Designer and Program Manager at Florida Tech’s Vertex Applied Innovation Hub. Over the past five years, she has led program operations and supported business acceleration initiatives, helping innovators turn ideas into real-world impact.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marifer is deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement.

She actively supports youth exploring STEM careers and champions women’s entrepreneurship across the Space Coast.

Her contributions have earned her recognition as a Space Coast Community Hero, and she has successfully secured NSF and SBA funding to advance innovation and experiential learning programs.

Please join us in giving Marifer a warm welcome. We’re excited for the energy, perspective, and leadership she brings to the Groundswell community.

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