Our Team
Brian Kendzior
Executive Director & Nexus Co-Founder
Brian’s journey with F1 in Schools began in 2013 when he was introduced to the program as a parent. Taking on the role of Lead Adult for his daughters' teams, his involvement sparked a deep passion for education. This passion led him to a career as a high school engineering teacher, where he continued to support the program by coaching several National Champion teams. In 2019, Brian founded Nexus North America and became the Executive Director for F1 in Schools in the US and Canada. Drawing on his extensive experience, Brian is committed to making STEM Racing a household name, driven by his dedication to students and education.
Ivana Radovanovic
Community Engagement Manager
Ivana is our Community Engagement Manager; bringing her engineering background to the forefront as she creates collaborative spaces where students, teachers, and mentors can excel together. Her mission is to ensure that everyone feels supported and inspired throughout the competition.
Merritt Kendzior
Program & Competitions Manger, & Nexus Co-Founder
Merritt began in the F1 in Schools program as a competitor in 2013 and 2014, representing the US at the World Finals. She then mentored the 2015 World Champions and served as Lead Judge for the US from 2018 to 2020. Now a Design Engineer with General Motors, Merritt serves as the Program and Competitions Manager for the US and Canada, where she leverages her experience to foster innovative and engaging experiences for students across North America.
Jai Reed
Competitions Operations Intern
Jai Reed is currently serving as the Program and Competitions Operator. Passionate about youth empowerment, Jai strongly believes in the potential of the younger generation to drive positive change. Jai is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this mission and to leave a lasting impact through their position within the organization.
Khaled Hajmousa
Competitions Operations Intern
Khaled's first involvement with F1 in Schools was as a competitor in 2016. He continued to compete till 2018 and mentored his local school team in 2019. He joined STEM Racing in December of 2024. He aims to help connect engineering students with competitors to mentor. He also aims to support the teams in the technical aspect of the competition.
Mariano Del Castillo
Partnerships & Expansion Manager
Mariano is a former racing driver and a full-time racing enthusiast. He has been part of STEM Racing since March 2023, where he helps grow the program by connecting prospective partners and students with the STEM Racing program. His main goals are thriving in the motorsport industry and helping others do the same along the way.
Marianne Gutierrez
Marketing Intern
Excited about being part of a team that sparks a passion for STEM in students and transforms their aspirations into reality, Marianne serves as the team’s marketing expert. Her journey in this program is driven by a commitment to helping young minds explore their potential and pursue their dreams.
About Nexus North America
The STEM Racing competition in the US and Canada is operated by Nexus North America. Nexus North America is a non-profit organization dedicated to student STEM education and is a registered 501c(3) in the US. Our team is largely made up of volunteers from throughout North America who are passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation of students within the world of STEM.
Background
The STEM Racing challenge is designed to operate like a true Formula 1 team and provides students from all socioeconomic backgrounds with a multi-disciplinary skill set. These skills will help them solve problems and the critical issues of the 21st Century. The program started in the U.S. through the Technology Student Association (TSA) in 2005. Since then, the program has been hosted by a number of organizations and has sent many teams to represent both the U.S. and Canada at the World Finals – even producing World Champions! In the Fall of 2019, Nexus North America took over the F1 in Schools program for the U.S. and Canada and is committed to creating a nationwide program available to all students interested in STEM. In 2025, F1 in Schools rebranded with the support of Formula 1, to STEM Racing. Nexus North America is a non-profit organization dedicated to student STEM education and is a registered 501c(3) in the US.
Mission
Nexus North America aims to provide the exciting STEM Racing challenge and education experience to students throughout the U.S. and Canada. Working with our committed industry sponsors, we hope to expose the next generation to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers and the world of Formula 1. It’s our goal to see STEM Racing become a household name in the U.S. as a Career Technical Student Organization that is available to all regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, or gender. We see the STEM Racing challenge as a fun learning environment where students can gain skills, make connections, and develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula 1, science, marketing, project management, and technology.
Vision
From a young age, we see students partnering with industry sponsors to learn new skills from professionals while working to advance personal skills by creating their own mock Formula 1 team. Students would develop teamwork and interpersonal skills, while furthering their STEM education. In addition, we see students gaining skills in areas such as project management and logistics. It is our hope that students who have taken part in the STEM Racing program can better visualize the possibility of a career in STEM and would bridge the gap between the ever-growing job market and the need for STEM majors.
Join Our Misson
Want to join our team? Reach out to info@STEMRacing.us to learn more! We are always excited to welcome new volunteers!
Want to help our mission? Learn more here about how you can join us as a volunteer, judge, mentor or competitor!