Houston's premier
venture capital conference and pitch competition
Co-hosted by: HX Venture Fund, Houston Exponential
Houston Angel Network, Rice Alliance
February 4-5, 2021
Virtual Conference
$1.7 Million+ in Investment Prizes
The Conference
Two Days of Houston Innovation
February 4-5, 2021
Free to attend
The Houston venture and tech ecosystem is exploding and it’s time to get involved! Venture Houston 2021 is the premier virtual event for entrepreneurs and venture investors to plug into what is happening in Houston.
Taking place on February 4th and 5th, you will hear from many of HX Venture Fund's limited partner corporate CEOs and top portfolio VCs, Houston’s industry leaders, and emerging and successful Houston entrepreneurs. Each afternoon will hold a pitch competition for Houston’s top early-stage companies where investment and in-kind prizes will be awarded by investors at the event.
This 2-day event features sought after speakers including keynote, Steve Case, founder of AOL and Revolution Ventures. You do not want to miss out on the incredible insight into Houston’s future and access to compelling innovation, talent, and the entrepreneurial spirit Houston has to offer.
Key takeaways include:
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Engaging with peers during panel sessions and continuing the conversation in industry-focused breakout rooms.
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Joining curated 1 on 1 networking sessions and meet Houston's innovation leaders, promising startup founders, and top investors from around the country.
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Participating in a premier pitch competition for Houston’s top early-stage (Pre-Seed through Series B) companies with over $1.7 million of investment, cash, and in-kind prizes.
Unrivaled Networking
Connect with difference makers.
Virtual does not mean disconnected. Venture Houston will allow you to create or continue relationships with best in class entrepreneurs, VCs, and corporate innovators.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Steve Case
Chairman and CEO of Revolution; Co-Founder of AOL
Bio
Steve Case is one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life. Case co-founded AOL in 1985 and under his leadership and vision, AOL became the largest and most valuable Internet company, driving the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society.
Case is Chairman and CEO of Revolution LLC, a Washington, D.C.- based investment firm that now backs entrepreneurs at every stage of their development. Revolution Growth has invested nearly $1 billion in growth-stage companies including Sweetgreen, Tempus, Tala, DraftKings, and Clear. Revolution Ventures has backed more than two dozen venture-stage companies, including Framebridge, PolicyGenius, and Bloomscape. The Rise of the Rest Seed Fund has invested in more than 130 startups in over 70 U.S. cities, in partnership with many of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors.
Steve’s passion for helping entrepreneurs remains his driving force. In 2011, he was the founding chair of the Startup America Partnership—an effort launched at the White House to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation—and member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness where he chaired the subcommittee on entrepreneurship.
He is also the author of New York Times bestselling book, The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future.
Bio
Steve Case is one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life. Case co-founded AOL in 1985 and under his leadership and vision, AOL became the largest and most valuable Internet company, driving the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society.
Case is Chairman and CEO of Revolution LLC, a Washington, D.C.- based investment firm that now backs entrepreneurs at every stage of their development. Revolution Growth has invested nearly $1 billion in growth-stage companies including Sweetgreen, Tempus, Tala, DraftKings, and Clear. Revolution Ventures has backed more than two dozen venture-stage companies, including Framebridge, PolicyGenius, and Bloomscape. The Rise of the Rest Seed Fund has invested in more than 130 startups in over 70 U.S. cities, in partnership with many of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors.
Steve’s passion for helping entrepreneurs remains his driving force. In 2011, he was the founding chair of the Startup America Partnership—an effort launched at the White House to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation—and member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness where he chaired the subcommittee on entrepreneurship.
He is also the author of New York Times bestselling book, The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future.
Gina Luna
CEO
Luna Strategies
Bio
Gina, a recognized leader with invaluable business insight, is a trusted advisor to CEOs and business owners. As CEO of Luna Strategies, Mrs. Luna counsels companies and their leaders on complex strategic issues and growth initiatives. She has established a reputation of partnering with owners, boards, and management from a broad spectrum of industries to deliver solutions and drive results. Mrs. Luna is a member of the Board of Directors for Tetra Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TTI), where she serves on the Audit Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee. Tetra is a $1B oil and gas services company headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas; she has served on the board since July 2018. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Complete Intelligence, a globally integrated forecasting platform powered by AI. Additionally, Gina serves as an advisor to several other privately held business owners and management teams. Prior to founding Luna Strategies, Mrs. Luna held senior executive roles with JPMorgan Chase. From 2009 to 2016, she served as Chairman of the Houston Market and Managing Director of Chase Commercial Banking. During her 22-year career, she was progressively promoted from management and business development roles to Chief Operating Officer for the regional Commercial and Investment Banking businesses, and to Chief Marketing Officer of the national Commercial Banking business, before assuming the Chairman role. She ran a $150+M revenue business, managed sizable teams, led marketing and communications, talent development, risk management, and strategic planning. As a dynamic, committed business leader, Mrs. Luna continues to be actively involved in supporting the community in which she works and lives. She is the founding Chairman of the Board for Houston Exponential (HX), an organization focused on building the innovation ecosystem in Houston. She helped raise the HX Venture Fund to support the HX mission and attract more venture capital to Houston. Gina is a member of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch, and is the Chairman of the Board of St. Luke’s Health System. She also serves as a trustee of The Texas A&M Foundation, The Welch Foundation, The Welch Institute and Baylor College of Medicine. She was elected chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership in 2015 and served as chair of the nationally acclaimed workforce initiative, UpSkill Houston, from 2013 to 2017. She continues her service on the Greater Houston Partnership board, executive committee, and nominating committee. Mrs. Luna is a member of NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors), Women Corporate Directors, the International Women’s Forum, and the Texas A&M Mays School of Business Dean's Advisory Board. Mrs. Luna is active in the Young Presidents’ Organization. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor of business administration degree in finance and management.
Luna Strategies
Bio
Gina, a recognized leader with invaluable business insight, is a trusted advisor to CEOs and business owners. As CEO of Luna Strategies, Mrs. Luna counsels companies and their leaders on complex strategic issues and growth initiatives. She has established a reputation of partnering with owners, boards, and management from a broad spectrum of industries to deliver solutions and drive results. Mrs. Luna is a member of the Board of Directors for Tetra Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TTI), where she serves on the Audit Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee. Tetra is a $1B oil and gas services company headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas; she has served on the board since July 2018. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Complete Intelligence, a globally integrated forecasting platform powered by AI. Additionally, Gina serves as an advisor to several other privately held business owners and management teams. Prior to founding Luna Strategies, Mrs. Luna held senior executive roles with JPMorgan Chase. From 2009 to 2016, she served as Chairman of the Houston Market and Managing Director of Chase Commercial Banking. During her 22-year career, she was progressively promoted from management and business development roles to Chief Operating Officer for the regional Commercial and Investment Banking businesses, and to Chief Marketing Officer of the national Commercial Banking business, before assuming the Chairman role. She ran a $150+M revenue business, managed sizable teams, led marketing and communications, talent development, risk management, and strategic planning. As a dynamic, committed business leader, Mrs. Luna continues to be actively involved in supporting the community in which she works and lives. She is the founding Chairman of the Board for Houston Exponential (HX), an organization focused on building the innovation ecosystem in Houston. She helped raise the HX Venture Fund to support the HX mission and attract more venture capital to Houston. Gina is a member of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch, and is the Chairman of the Board of St. Luke’s Health System. She also serves as a trustee of The Texas A&M Foundation, The Welch Foundation, The Welch Institute and Baylor College of Medicine. She was elected chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership in 2015 and served as chair of the nationally acclaimed workforce initiative, UpSkill Houston, from 2013 to 2017. She continues her service on the Greater Houston Partnership board, executive committee, and nominating committee. Mrs. Luna is a member of NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors), Women Corporate Directors, the International Women’s Forum, and the Texas A&M Mays School of Business Dean's Advisory Board. Mrs. Luna is active in the Young Presidents’ Organization. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor of business administration degree in finance and management.
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Conference Speakers
VC Investors
Tom Ball
Founding General Partner
Next Coast Ventures
Bio
Thomas Ball is a founding general partner of Next Coast Ventures (NCV), an early stage venture capital firm headquartered in Austin, TX. Prior to NCV, Tom was at Austin Ventures from 2005-2015 where he served as a general partner. While at Austin Ventures, he was also an investor in RetailMeNot (Nasdaq: SALE), Bazaarvoice (NYSE: BV), Jam City, Donuts, Jigsaw.com (acquired by Salesforce) and Adometry (acquired by Google).
Prior to his involvement with Austin Ventures, Tom founded a number of successful companies, including Openfield Technologies, which merged with Razorgator Interactive Group, where Tom was CEO, and eCoupons, where he was also CEO until the sale of the company to Lifeminders (NASDAQ: LFMN).
Tom graduated from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and the University of Florida
Next Coast Ventures
Bio
Thomas Ball is a founding general partner of Next Coast Ventures (NCV), an early stage venture capital firm headquartered in Austin, TX. Prior to NCV, Tom was at Austin Ventures from 2005-2015 where he served as a general partner. While at Austin Ventures, he was also an investor in RetailMeNot (Nasdaq: SALE), Bazaarvoice (NYSE: BV), Jam City, Donuts, Jigsaw.com (acquired by Salesforce) and Adometry (acquired by Google).
Prior to his involvement with Austin Ventures, Tom founded a number of successful companies, including Openfield Technologies, which merged with Razorgator Interactive Group, where Tom was CEO, and eCoupons, where he was also CEO until the sale of the company to Lifeminders (NASDAQ: LFMN).
Tom graduated from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and the University of Florida
Tim Bemer
Principal
Lead Edge Capital
Bio
Tim Bemer is a Principal at Lead Edge Capital, having joined the firm in 2013. Lead Edge Capital is a global growth equity fund primarily investing in software and internet businesses. Investments include Alibaba, Uber, Asana, Spotify, Toast, Duo Security, TransferWise amongst others. Prior to Lead Edge, Tim worked at Sandler O’Neill + Partners and received a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.
Lead Edge Capital
Bio
Tim Bemer is a Principal at Lead Edge Capital, having joined the firm in 2013. Lead Edge Capital is a global growth equity fund primarily investing in software and internet businesses. Investments include Alibaba, Uber, Asana, Spotify, Toast, Duo Security, TransferWise amongst others. Prior to Lead Edge, Tim worked at Sandler O’Neill + Partners and received a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.
Guillermo Borda
Managing Partner
HX Venture Fund
HX Venture Fund
Heath Butler
Managing Director, Mercury Fund
Co-Founder, Urban Capital Network
Bio
Heath Butler is a Managing Director at Mercury Fund, where he focuses on investments in B2B Software, B2B2C Marketplaces and Tech-Enabled Services. He also manages the Mercury Network platform and drives impact-based community engagement efforts.
Heath has over 20 years’ experience in the Houston startup ecosystem, having founded, invested in, and advised numerous startups, investment organizations, and funds. Heath co-founded Gestalt Theory Venture Partners, a seed-based venture studio. He was also a corporate development executive and fin-tech Division President at Insperity (NYSE: NSP), the leading human capital management platform for small to mid-sized businesses. In 2019, Heath co-founded the Urban Capital Network , an angel investment platform focused on democratizing capital and wealth generation for underrepresented investors. Heath received an MBA in Marketing from Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business and a B.S. in Finance from the University of New Orleans.
Outside of Mercury, Heath is an active angel investor and leverages his serial-entrepreneur and executive experiences to fulfill his passion to educate, empower and enable entrepreneurs.
Co-Founder, Urban Capital Network
Bio
Heath Butler is a Managing Director at Mercury Fund, where he focuses on investments in B2B Software, B2B2C Marketplaces and Tech-Enabled Services. He also manages the Mercury Network platform and drives impact-based community engagement efforts.
Heath has over 20 years’ experience in the Houston startup ecosystem, having founded, invested in, and advised numerous startups, investment organizations, and funds. Heath co-founded Gestalt Theory Venture Partners, a seed-based venture studio. He was also a corporate development executive and fin-tech Division President at Insperity (NYSE: NSP), the leading human capital management platform for small to mid-sized businesses. In 2019, Heath co-founded the Urban Capital Network , an angel investment platform focused on democratizing capital and wealth generation for underrepresented investors. Heath received an MBA in Marketing from Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business and a B.S. in Finance from the University of New Orleans.
Outside of Mercury, Heath is an active angel investor and leverages his serial-entrepreneur and executive experiences to fulfill his passion to educate, empower and enable entrepreneurs.
Stephanie Campbell
General Partner, The Artemis Fund
Managing Director, Houston Angel Network
Managing Director, Houston Angel Network
Greg Dracon
Partner
.406 Ventures
Bio
Greg Dracon is a Partner at .406 Ventures with 25+ years of combined venture investing and high tech operating and management experience. Greg co-leads .406’s cybersecurity practice and his current cybersecurity investment portfolio includes AuthAir (acquired by LogMeIn), CPX Security, Edgewise (acquired by Zscaler), GreatHorn, Onapsis, Pwnie Express (acquired by Outpost 24), Randori, Sevco, Terbium Labs, ThreatGRID (acquired by Cisco), Threat Stack, Trilio Data and Vaultive (acquired by CyberArk).
Greg also serves on Governor Baker’s Cybersecurity Strategy Council for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a former board director of the Advanced Cyber Security Center – a non-profit consortium comprised of industry, academic and government leaders establishing New England as a center of excellence for cybersecurity thought leadership.
Prior to .406, Greg was a Vice President at the venture capital firm, Core Capital Partners, and, previously, spent a dozen years in a variety of operating and management roles within the high tech industry.
Greg received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University and his MBA from The Wharton School.
.406 Ventures
Bio
Greg Dracon is a Partner at .406 Ventures with 25+ years of combined venture investing and high tech operating and management experience. Greg co-leads .406’s cybersecurity practice and his current cybersecurity investment portfolio includes AuthAir (acquired by LogMeIn), CPX Security, Edgewise (acquired by Zscaler), GreatHorn, Onapsis, Pwnie Express (acquired by Outpost 24), Randori, Sevco, Terbium Labs, ThreatGRID (acquired by Cisco), Threat Stack, Trilio Data and Vaultive (acquired by CyberArk).
Greg also serves on Governor Baker’s Cybersecurity Strategy Council for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a former board director of the Advanced Cyber Security Center – a non-profit consortium comprised of industry, academic and government leaders establishing New England as a center of excellence for cybersecurity thought leadership.
Prior to .406, Greg was a Vice President at the venture capital firm, Core Capital Partners, and, previously, spent a dozen years in a variety of operating and management roles within the high tech industry.
Greg received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University and his MBA from The Wharton School.
Constance Freedman
Founder, Managing Partner
Moderne Ventures
Bio
Constance Freedman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Moderne Ventures and the Moderne Passport, an early stage investment fund and industry immersion program which is focused on investing in technology companies in and around the multi-trillion dollar industries of real estate, finance, insurance, hospitality and home services.
Constance has invested in almost 100 companies and actively partners with 700+ industry executives and corporations to help build strategic value and scale. She is active on several company boards, past and present, including DocuSign [NASDAQ: DOCU], Updater [ASX:UPD], Porch [NASDAQ: PRCH], Homesnap (acquired by CoStar), Equity Lifestyles [NYSE:ELS] and ICON.
Prior to launching Moderne Ventures, Constance was the head of Strategic Investments at the National Association of Realtors where she launched and managed its venture fund, Second Century Ventures (SCV) in 2008, and founded its accelerator program, REach, in 2013. Prior to joining SCV, Constance was an investor with Cue Ball, an early and growth stage investment fund focused on the information services and consumer sectors. Constance began her career spending 7 years on an operating capacity at technology start-ups Molecular (acquired by Isobar) and Account4.com (acquired by Lawson). Constance was a practicing real estate agent for three years prior to starting her career in technology and investing.
Constance has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including HousingWire’s Women of Influence, Crain’s Business 40 under 40, Crain’s Chicago Top Tech 50 (3x), Swanopoel’s Power 200 and Inman’s Top 101 in Real Estate. Constance is frequently an invited keynote speaker at nationally renowned venture industry, real estate and fintech conferences.
Constance is a Board Member for Illinois Venture Capital Association. She previously served on the Advisory Board for the National Venture Capital Association’s Corporate Venturing Group, was on the board of overseers for the non-profit, From the Top, the advisory panel for Fannie Mae’s Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge and is a member of the ULI Multifamily Platinum Council.
Constance earned a BS from Boston University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.
Moderne Ventures
Bio
Constance Freedman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Moderne Ventures and the Moderne Passport, an early stage investment fund and industry immersion program which is focused on investing in technology companies in and around the multi-trillion dollar industries of real estate, finance, insurance, hospitality and home services.
Constance has invested in almost 100 companies and actively partners with 700+ industry executives and corporations to help build strategic value and scale. She is active on several company boards, past and present, including DocuSign [NASDAQ: DOCU], Updater [ASX:UPD], Porch [NASDAQ: PRCH], Homesnap (acquired by CoStar), Equity Lifestyles [NYSE:ELS] and ICON.
Prior to launching Moderne Ventures, Constance was the head of Strategic Investments at the National Association of Realtors where she launched and managed its venture fund, Second Century Ventures (SCV) in 2008, and founded its accelerator program, REach, in 2013. Prior to joining SCV, Constance was an investor with Cue Ball, an early and growth stage investment fund focused on the information services and consumer sectors. Constance began her career spending 7 years on an operating capacity at technology start-ups Molecular (acquired by Isobar) and Account4.com (acquired by Lawson). Constance was a practicing real estate agent for three years prior to starting her career in technology and investing.
Constance has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including HousingWire’s Women of Influence, Crain’s Business 40 under 40, Crain’s Chicago Top Tech 50 (3x), Swanopoel’s Power 200 and Inman’s Top 101 in Real Estate. Constance is frequently an invited keynote speaker at nationally renowned venture industry, real estate and fintech conferences.
Constance is a Board Member for Illinois Venture Capital Association. She previously served on the Advisory Board for the National Venture Capital Association’s Corporate Venturing Group, was on the board of overseers for the non-profit, From the Top, the advisory panel for Fannie Mae’s Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge and is a member of the ULI Multifamily Platinum Council.
Constance earned a BS from Boston University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.
Scott Gale
Executive Director
Halliburton Labs
Bio
Scott works tirelessly to help startups navigate the commercial and technical landscape of clean energy. As Executive Director of Halliburton Labs, he is responsible for overseeing all activities and is hyper-focused on participant companies’ success. He is passionate about the Halliburton Labs mission to advance cleaner, affordable energy and firmly believes that cultivating a thriving startup community starts with trust and inclusion. Scott built his commercial and technical acumen through his time with Dow Chemical, later Solvay and now with Halliburton. He started with Halliburton in 2014 and since then has managed multiple strategic efforts to take new technologies from ideation to commercial success at scale.
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Rice Business School. He also holds business strategy and executive leadership certifications from Caltech and Texas A&M respectively.
Halliburton Labs
Bio
Scott works tirelessly to help startups navigate the commercial and technical landscape of clean energy. As Executive Director of Halliburton Labs, he is responsible for overseeing all activities and is hyper-focused on participant companies’ success. He is passionate about the Halliburton Labs mission to advance cleaner, affordable energy and firmly believes that cultivating a thriving startup community starts with trust and inclusion. Scott built his commercial and technical acumen through his time with Dow Chemical, later Solvay and now with Halliburton. He started with Halliburton in 2014 and since then has managed multiple strategic efforts to take new technologies from ideation to commercial success at scale.
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Rice Business School. He also holds business strategy and executive leadership certifications from Caltech and Texas A&M respectively.
Blair Garrou
Managing Director
Mercury Fund
Bio
Blair Garrou has spent much of his professional career advising, mentoring, and investing in software entrepreneurs. He is co-founder and Managing Director of Mercury Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. With over $300 million under management, Mercury focuses on software entrepreneurs originating in Middle America. Mercury’s investment themes target SaaS, Cloud, and Marketplace platforms enabling the digital transformation of markets, industries, and customer relationships.
Blair’s current venture investments include Amify, Koupon, Label Insight, LISNR, ShareThis, Spruce, Topl, and TeleVet. Blair’s previous venture investments include Alert Logic (acq. by Welsh Carson), BlackLocus (acq. by Home Depot), Infochimps (acq. by CSC), Mobify (acq. by Salesforce), Patient I/O (acq. by athenahealth), Phurnace Software (acq. by BMC), and TrendKite (acq. by Cision).
Through his work in the Houston entrepreneurial community, Blair helped launch and/or co-founded the Houston Angel Network, Houston Exponential, HTX Impact Fund, HX Venture Fund, Station Houston, and SURGE Accelerator. Blair received a B.S. in Management with special attainments in Commerce from Washington & Lee University.
Mercury Fund
Bio
Blair Garrou has spent much of his professional career advising, mentoring, and investing in software entrepreneurs. He is co-founder and Managing Director of Mercury Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. With over $300 million under management, Mercury focuses on software entrepreneurs originating in Middle America. Mercury’s investment themes target SaaS, Cloud, and Marketplace platforms enabling the digital transformation of markets, industries, and customer relationships.
Blair’s current venture investments include Amify, Koupon, Label Insight, LISNR, ShareThis, Spruce, Topl, and TeleVet. Blair’s previous venture investments include Alert Logic (acq. by Welsh Carson), BlackLocus (acq. by Home Depot), Infochimps (acq. by CSC), Mobify (acq. by Salesforce), Patient I/O (acq. by athenahealth), Phurnace Software (acq. by BMC), and TrendKite (acq. by Cision).
Through his work in the Houston entrepreneurial community, Blair helped launch and/or co-founded the Houston Angel Network, Houston Exponential, HTX Impact Fund, HX Venture Fund, Station Houston, and SURGE Accelerator. Blair received a B.S. in Management with special attainments in Commerce from Washington & Lee University.
Corey Goodman
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
venBio Partners
Bio
Dr. Corey S. Goodman is a Managing Partner and co-founder of venBio Partners, LLC. Dr. Goodman is a scientist, educator, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. He received his B.S. from Stanford University in 1972 and his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in 1977. He was a Helen Hay Whitney postdoctoral fellow at U.C. San Diego from 1977 to 1979. He spent 25 years as Professor of Biology at Stanford University and Evan Rauch Chair of Neurobiology at Berkeley (Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology), where he was Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Head of the Neurobiology Division, and co-founder and Director of the Wills Neuroscience Institute. He published over 200 scientific papers. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience in the Wills Neuroscience Institute at U.C. Berkeley.
Dr. Goodman is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Philosophical Society, and recipient of many honors including the Alan T. Waterman Award, Canada Gairdner Biomedical Award, March-of-Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, Reeve-Irvine Research Medal, Dawson Prize in Genetics, and the Gruber Neuroscience Prize.
Dr. Goodman moved from academia to biotechnology and pharma to help turn great science into impactful medicine for human health. He co-founded seven biotechnology companies (the first being Exelixis), and led one of them (Renovis) as President and CEO from a private to public company until its acquisition. He was recruited to be President and founder of Pfizer’s Biotherapeutics and Bioinnovation Center and a member of Pfizer’s executive leadership team.
Dr. Goodman is Chair of the Board and co-founder of ALX Oncology (ALXO, Nasdaq), Tallac, and Second Genome. He is a member of the Board of NFlection. He was Chair and co-founder of Labrys Biologics until its acquisition by Teva. The Labrys drug, now called Ajovy, is a CGRP antibody for chronic migraine that was approved by the FDA in 2018. venBio, launched in 2011, already has three approved drugs.
Dr. Goodman is a member of the University of California Innovation Council (advising the UC President), a member of the board of the Pacific Institute, former Chair of the California Council on Science and Technology (advising the Governor and State Legislature), former Chair of the National Research Council's (NAS) Board on Life Sciences (advising the Federal Government), and former President of the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience. He advises numerous non-profits and foundations.
venBio Partners
Bio
Dr. Corey S. Goodman is a Managing Partner and co-founder of venBio Partners, LLC. Dr. Goodman is a scientist, educator, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. He received his B.S. from Stanford University in 1972 and his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in 1977. He was a Helen Hay Whitney postdoctoral fellow at U.C. San Diego from 1977 to 1979. He spent 25 years as Professor of Biology at Stanford University and Evan Rauch Chair of Neurobiology at Berkeley (Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology), where he was Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Head of the Neurobiology Division, and co-founder and Director of the Wills Neuroscience Institute. He published over 200 scientific papers. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience in the Wills Neuroscience Institute at U.C. Berkeley.
Dr. Goodman is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Philosophical Society, and recipient of many honors including the Alan T. Waterman Award, Canada Gairdner Biomedical Award, March-of-Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, Reeve-Irvine Research Medal, Dawson Prize in Genetics, and the Gruber Neuroscience Prize.
Dr. Goodman moved from academia to biotechnology and pharma to help turn great science into impactful medicine for human health. He co-founded seven biotechnology companies (the first being Exelixis), and led one of them (Renovis) as President and CEO from a private to public company until its acquisition. He was recruited to be President and founder of Pfizer’s Biotherapeutics and Bioinnovation Center and a member of Pfizer’s executive leadership team.
Dr. Goodman is Chair of the Board and co-founder of ALX Oncology (ALXO, Nasdaq), Tallac, and Second Genome. He is a member of the Board of NFlection. He was Chair and co-founder of Labrys Biologics until its acquisition by Teva. The Labrys drug, now called Ajovy, is a CGRP antibody for chronic migraine that was approved by the FDA in 2018. venBio, launched in 2011, already has three approved drugs.
Dr. Goodman is a member of the University of California Innovation Council (advising the UC President), a member of the board of the Pacific Institute, former Chair of the California Council on Science and Technology (advising the Governor and State Legislature), former Chair of the National Research Council's (NAS) Board on Life Sciences (advising the Federal Government), and former President of the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience. He advises numerous non-profits and foundations.
Sandy Guitar
Managing Director
HX Venture Fund
Bio
Sandy Guitar is a Managing Director at HX Venture Fund in Houston, Texas. Sandy is also a co-founder and Managing Director at Weathergage Capital, a venture capital fund of funds managing approximately $1 billion in venture partnership commitments. Prior to Weathergage, she was a Principal of venture fund of funds Knightsbridge Advisers. Prior to Sandy’s venture fund of funds experience, she was a consultant with Andersen Consulting and BSG Consulting. Sandy was also responsible for developing the first web-based IT architecture and strategy, and for developing the first global diversity strategy at Phillips Petroleum (now ConocoPhillips).
Sandy has an M.B.A from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.A., cum laude, from the University of the South, Sewanee. Following her undergraduate degree, Sandy was awarded a one-year research Fellowship with the Thomas J. Watson Foundation. As a Watson Fellow, she studied business management in Japan, India, and Australia. She is also a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute.
Sandy currently serves as a Member of the Board of Regents and of the Investment Committee for The University of the South, Sewanee, and as a Steering Committee Member of Ignite Healthcare Network. Sandy has also served as a Board Member of Lawndale Arts Center in Houston.
HX Venture Fund
Bio
Sandy Guitar is a Managing Director at HX Venture Fund in Houston, Texas. Sandy is also a co-founder and Managing Director at Weathergage Capital, a venture capital fund of funds managing approximately $1 billion in venture partnership commitments. Prior to Weathergage, she was a Principal of venture fund of funds Knightsbridge Advisers. Prior to Sandy’s venture fund of funds experience, she was a consultant with Andersen Consulting and BSG Consulting. Sandy was also responsible for developing the first web-based IT architecture and strategy, and for developing the first global diversity strategy at Phillips Petroleum (now ConocoPhillips).
Sandy has an M.B.A from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.A., cum laude, from the University of the South, Sewanee. Following her undergraduate degree, Sandy was awarded a one-year research Fellowship with the Thomas J. Watson Foundation. As a Watson Fellow, she studied business management in Japan, India, and Australia. She is also a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute.
Sandy currently serves as a Member of the Board of Regents and of the Investment Committee for The University of the South, Sewanee, and as a Steering Committee Member of Ignite Healthcare Network. Sandy has also served as a Board Member of Lawndale Arts Center in Houston.
Paul Hobby
Managing Partner & CEO
Genesis Park
Bio
Mr. Hobby is the Managing Partner of Genesis Park, L.P. and the Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Park Acquisition Company (NYSE:GPNK).
Since its founding in late 1999, Genesis Park has executed numerous successful communications, infrastructure and technology transactions. A recurring deal profile for Genesis Park over time has been the public company carve out liberating orphaned divisions to create value in ten distinct transactions over two decades.
In that context, Mr. Hobby has served as Chairman of CapRock Communications and as CEO of Alpheus Communications and Texas Monthly. Prior to Genesis Park, Mr. Hobby conceived a strategy for integrating media operations through improved information technology. With Mr. Hobby as Executive Chairman, that company, Columbine JDS Systems, Inc., became the largest provider of back office media software in the world.
Mr. Hobby has more than five decades of combined public company experience having served on the boards of NRG Energy, Eagle Global Logistics, Inc., Stewart Title, Coastal Banc, Amegy Bank of Texas, Aronex Pharmaceuticals, and FloTek. Through that service he has experienced the full spectrum of corporate experience, including extensive M&A, spin offs, proxy fights, insider bids and activist director initiatives
Mr. Hobby is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he has been honored by the Raven Society and the University of Texas School of Law, where he has served as an adjunct faculty member and been honored as an Outstanding Young Alumnus. He has been a guest lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the Jones School of Business at Rice University.
He is former Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the Texas Ethics Commission, the Texas General Services Commission, and The Texas Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Hobby has held a variety of other community leadership positions over time.
Genesis Park
Bio
Mr. Hobby is the Managing Partner of Genesis Park, L.P. and the Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Park Acquisition Company (NYSE:GPNK).
Since its founding in late 1999, Genesis Park has executed numerous successful communications, infrastructure and technology transactions. A recurring deal profile for Genesis Park over time has been the public company carve out liberating orphaned divisions to create value in ten distinct transactions over two decades.
In that context, Mr. Hobby has served as Chairman of CapRock Communications and as CEO of Alpheus Communications and Texas Monthly. Prior to Genesis Park, Mr. Hobby conceived a strategy for integrating media operations through improved information technology. With Mr. Hobby as Executive Chairman, that company, Columbine JDS Systems, Inc., became the largest provider of back office media software in the world.
Mr. Hobby has more than five decades of combined public company experience having served on the boards of NRG Energy, Eagle Global Logistics, Inc., Stewart Title, Coastal Banc, Amegy Bank of Texas, Aronex Pharmaceuticals, and FloTek. Through that service he has experienced the full spectrum of corporate experience, including extensive M&A, spin offs, proxy fights, insider bids and activist director initiatives
Mr. Hobby is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he has been honored by the Raven Society and the University of Texas School of Law, where he has served as an adjunct faculty member and been honored as an Outstanding Young Alumnus. He has been a guest lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the Jones School of Business at Rice University.
He is former Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the Texas Ethics Commission, the Texas General Services Commission, and The Texas Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Hobby has held a variety of other community leadership positions over time.
Jim Pavlik
Partner
Baird Capital
Bio
Jim Pavlik is a Partner with Baird Capital's Venture Capital team and focuses on investments in the technology sector. Jim currently oversees the firm’s investments in Appdetex, Datica, Hireology, NowSecure, Upfront Healthcare and Zaloni, and previously served as a board member for exited investments in Cielo, Coalfire, emids, InsideTrack, Montage and PayChoice. Prior to joining Baird Capital in 2003, Jim was a member of the investment team at Madison Dearborn Partners, where he focused on venture capital investments in the telecom and technology services sectors. He began his career in Salomon Smith Barney’s investment banking group, where he was involved with a variety of equity and fixed income financings and M&A transactions. Jim received a BA in economics from Duke University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Baird Capital
Bio
Jim Pavlik is a Partner with Baird Capital's Venture Capital team and focuses on investments in the technology sector. Jim currently oversees the firm’s investments in Appdetex, Datica, Hireology, NowSecure, Upfront Healthcare and Zaloni, and previously served as a board member for exited investments in Cielo, Coalfire, emids, InsideTrack, Montage and PayChoice. Prior to joining Baird Capital in 2003, Jim was a member of the investment team at Madison Dearborn Partners, where he focused on venture capital investments in the telecom and technology services sectors. He began his career in Salomon Smith Barney’s investment banking group, where he was involved with a variety of equity and fixed income financings and M&A transactions. Jim received a BA in economics from Duke University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
John (JR) Reale
Managing Director
Integr8d Capital
Bio
JR serves as Venture Executive for the Texas Medical Center Venture Fund (TMCVF), a $25 M fund that invests in early-stage digital health and med device startups transforming healthcare through the Texas Medical Center. In addition, JR serves as Executive-in-Residence (EIR) for TMC Innovation where serves as an in-house resource for startups in the TMC community as well as serves as a member of the TMC Innovation leadership team.
Previously, he co-founded Station Houston, Inc. (Station), Houston’s hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurship, where he served as its CEO from inception through August 2018. In April 2018, Station announced its partnership with the City of Houston and Rice University to develop and launch the Houston Innovation District, now called the Ion. Prior to Station, he was an Operating Partner with Fraser McCombs Capital (FMC), an early-stage venture capital firm. He started his career in the financial services industry at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan, as well as Founding Member of Avalon Advisors, a wealth management and advisory firm based in Houston.
Civicly, JR serves a variety of organizations focused on education and entrepreneurship. JR Chaired Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Innovation Task Force to develop the City of Houston's strategy and plan to spark the long-term growth of Houston's innovation and technology entrepreneurship economy. This task force led to the formation of Houston Exponential (HX), an organization charged with sustainably promoting Houston’s entrepreneurship and innovation economy. JR currently serves on the Board of HX.
JR serves as an Advisor to SnapStream Media; is on the Advisory Board for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship; the Investment Committee for the Cougar Venture Fund at the University of Houston; was the past-President of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Houston chapter; and mentor at numerous start-up acceleration programs. Finally, JR co-founded the Mentoring Initiative at Cristo Rey Jesuit Preparatory High School in Houston (Viva Cristo Rey!).
JR received his B.S. in Finance and Investments from Babson College in Massachusetts. JR and his wife, Kim, are the proud “founders” and parents of their daughter, Juliana, their most important Houston-based startup!
Integr8d Capital
Bio
JR serves as Venture Executive for the Texas Medical Center Venture Fund (TMCVF), a $25 M fund that invests in early-stage digital health and med device startups transforming healthcare through the Texas Medical Center. In addition, JR serves as Executive-in-Residence (EIR) for TMC Innovation where serves as an in-house resource for startups in the TMC community as well as serves as a member of the TMC Innovation leadership team.
Previously, he co-founded Station Houston, Inc. (Station), Houston’s hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurship, where he served as its CEO from inception through August 2018. In April 2018, Station announced its partnership with the City of Houston and Rice University to develop and launch the Houston Innovation District, now called the Ion. Prior to Station, he was an Operating Partner with Fraser McCombs Capital (FMC), an early-stage venture capital firm. He started his career in the financial services industry at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan, as well as Founding Member of Avalon Advisors, a wealth management and advisory firm based in Houston.
Civicly, JR serves a variety of organizations focused on education and entrepreneurship. JR Chaired Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Innovation Task Force to develop the City of Houston's strategy and plan to spark the long-term growth of Houston's innovation and technology entrepreneurship economy. This task force led to the formation of Houston Exponential (HX), an organization charged with sustainably promoting Houston’s entrepreneurship and innovation economy. JR currently serves on the Board of HX.
JR serves as an Advisor to SnapStream Media; is on the Advisory Board for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship; the Investment Committee for the Cougar Venture Fund at the University of Houston; was the past-President of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Houston chapter; and mentor at numerous start-up acceleration programs. Finally, JR co-founded the Mentoring Initiative at Cristo Rey Jesuit Preparatory High School in Houston (Viva Cristo Rey!).
JR received his B.S. in Finance and Investments from Babson College in Massachusetts. JR and his wife, Kim, are the proud “founders” and parents of their daughter, Juliana, their most important Houston-based startup!
Chris Rizik
CEO and Founder
Renaissance Venture Capital Fund
Bio
Chris Rizik is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund (www.renvcf.com), a first-of-its-kind network fund formed by a consortium of Fortune 1000 corporations. Renaissance works to invest in and strategically connect venture capital funds and start-up companies with major corporations. Chris is also the founder and publisher of SoulTracks.com, America’s most popular soul music online magazine.
Renaissance has been hailed nationally as a new type of venture capital vehicle: A network fund. Renaissance acts as a fund of funds, investing in top venture capital funds around the country and connecting them and their start-up companies to a network of over 75 major corporations and universities around the US – becoming the center of an innovation network that links cutting edge start-up companies with capital and with the innovation needs of the major corporations. Chris’s work with Renaissance has led to several awards, including EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Crain’s Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year. The success of Renaissance in Michigan has resulted in Renaissance assisting in the creation of successful replica funds in Cincinnati (teamed with Procter & Gamble) and Houston (with the Greater Houston Partnership), establishing a richer national network of innovation connections and investing.
Prior to Renaissance, Chris was a co-founder and partner in Michigan’s two largest venture capital investors, nanotechnology holding company Ardesta, LLC, and tech fund Avalon Technology Ventures, and received of four consecutive “Deal of the Year” awards by the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Chris was also a senior partner with Dickinson Wright PLLC, one of the Midwest’s oldest law firms. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand, after passing the Certified Public Accounting examination.
Chris chairs the Executive Committee of the high tech accelerator TechTown and the Investment Committees of Invest Detroit Ventures and Accelerate Blue, the seed investment fund of the University of Michigan. Chris also serves on the investment committees of the Cintrifuse and Houston Exponential fund of funds, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, and the Michigan Catholic Foundation. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the New Economy Initiative, the National Advisory Board of the University of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer, and boards or advisory boards of Invest Detroit, The Knight Foundation, Mount Elliott Cemetery Association, and several venture capital funds around the US.
Renaissance Venture Capital Fund
Bio
Chris Rizik is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund (www.renvcf.com), a first-of-its-kind network fund formed by a consortium of Fortune 1000 corporations. Renaissance works to invest in and strategically connect venture capital funds and start-up companies with major corporations. Chris is also the founder and publisher of SoulTracks.com, America’s most popular soul music online magazine.
Renaissance has been hailed nationally as a new type of venture capital vehicle: A network fund. Renaissance acts as a fund of funds, investing in top venture capital funds around the country and connecting them and their start-up companies to a network of over 75 major corporations and universities around the US – becoming the center of an innovation network that links cutting edge start-up companies with capital and with the innovation needs of the major corporations. Chris’s work with Renaissance has led to several awards, including EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Crain’s Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year. The success of Renaissance in Michigan has resulted in Renaissance assisting in the creation of successful replica funds in Cincinnati (teamed with Procter & Gamble) and Houston (with the Greater Houston Partnership), establishing a richer national network of innovation connections and investing.
Prior to Renaissance, Chris was a co-founder and partner in Michigan’s two largest venture capital investors, nanotechnology holding company Ardesta, LLC, and tech fund Avalon Technology Ventures, and received of four consecutive “Deal of the Year” awards by the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Chris was also a senior partner with Dickinson Wright PLLC, one of the Midwest’s oldest law firms. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand, after passing the Certified Public Accounting examination.
Chris chairs the Executive Committee of the high tech accelerator TechTown and the Investment Committees of Invest Detroit Ventures and Accelerate Blue, the seed investment fund of the University of Michigan. Chris also serves on the investment committees of the Cintrifuse and Houston Exponential fund of funds, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, and the Michigan Catholic Foundation. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the New Economy Initiative, the National Advisory Board of the University of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer, and boards or advisory boards of Invest Detroit, The Knight Foundation, Mount Elliott Cemetery Association, and several venture capital funds around the US.
Ernst Sack
Founding Partner
Blue Bear Capital
Bio
Ernst is a founding Partner at Blue Bear Capital, a VC investor for enterprise software and AI-related technologies in energy, infrastructure, and climate industries.
Ernst has participated on the Boards of Directors of over twenty energy and software companies, including Raptor Maps, Shoreline, GoExpedi, Mission Secure, Omnidian, Datch, MineralSoft, and Element Analytics.
Before Blue Bear, Ernst spent nine years at Riverstone, a leading energy private equity firm with over $35 billion in assets under management. He previously worked in M&A covering energy and transportation.
Ernst has a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and MBAs from Columbia and London Business School through a joint program. He loves spending time with his family, having his mind blown by AI developers, and backcountry skiing.
Blue Bear Capital
Bio
Ernst is a founding Partner at Blue Bear Capital, a VC investor for enterprise software and AI-related technologies in energy, infrastructure, and climate industries.
Ernst has participated on the Boards of Directors of over twenty energy and software companies, including Raptor Maps, Shoreline, GoExpedi, Mission Secure, Omnidian, Datch, MineralSoft, and Element Analytics.
Before Blue Bear, Ernst spent nine years at Riverstone, a leading energy private equity firm with over $35 billion in assets under management. He previously worked in M&A covering energy and transportation.
Ernst has a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and MBAs from Columbia and London Business School through a joint program. He loves spending time with his family, having his mind blown by AI developers, and backcountry skiing.
Jon Seeber
General Partner
Updata Partners
Bio
Jon Seeber is a General Partner at Updata Partners, co-manages the firm, and has been a member of Updata’s investment team since 2006. He has more than 20 years of experience as an operator and investor in the software industry. Before joining Updata, Jon worked on the Business Development team inside IBM Global Services, managing acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and partnerships – key growth activities for IBM’s largest business unit. During his tenure there, Jon helped execute notable transactions including the acquisitions of Internet Security Systems, Healthlink, and Corio. Earlier in his career, Jon served on Active Duty and then in the Reserve, as an officer in the United States Air Force. He also spent time as a software developer, and holds two U.S. patents in network optimization and network security.
Jon serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington Nationals Philanthropies (“WNP”), the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals. WNP catalyzes the energy of Nationals fans, and the generosity and philanthropic goals of Nationals players, corporate champions, and community partners to invest philanthropic dollars with, through, and to Nationals Philanthropies – fueling greater good for a better Washington, DC region. Its signature program is the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, whose mission is to use the sports of baseball and softball as vehicles to foster positive character development, academic achievement, and improved health among youth from underserved communities in Washington, DC.
Jon graduated from Duke University with a B.A., majoring in Computer Science and History. He also holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. While at Duke, Jon was a member of the varsity wrestling team and is now an assistant coach at The Potomac School in McLean, VA, where he lives with his wife and two sons.
Updata Partners
Bio
Jon Seeber is a General Partner at Updata Partners, co-manages the firm, and has been a member of Updata’s investment team since 2006. He has more than 20 years of experience as an operator and investor in the software industry. Before joining Updata, Jon worked on the Business Development team inside IBM Global Services, managing acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and partnerships – key growth activities for IBM’s largest business unit. During his tenure there, Jon helped execute notable transactions including the acquisitions of Internet Security Systems, Healthlink, and Corio. Earlier in his career, Jon served on Active Duty and then in the Reserve, as an officer in the United States Air Force. He also spent time as a software developer, and holds two U.S. patents in network optimization and network security.
Jon serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington Nationals Philanthropies (“WNP”), the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals. WNP catalyzes the energy of Nationals fans, and the generosity and philanthropic goals of Nationals players, corporate champions, and community partners to invest philanthropic dollars with, through, and to Nationals Philanthropies – fueling greater good for a better Washington, DC region. Its signature program is the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, whose mission is to use the sports of baseball and softball as vehicles to foster positive character development, academic achievement, and improved health among youth from underserved communities in Washington, DC.
Jon graduated from Duke University with a B.A., majoring in Computer Science and History. He also holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. While at Duke, Jon was a member of the varsity wrestling team and is now an assistant coach at The Potomac School in McLean, VA, where he lives with his wife and two sons.
Dana Settle
Founding Partner
Greycroft Partners
Bio
Dana Settle is a Founding Partner with Greycroft, and she heads the firm’s west coast office out of Los Angeles. Prior to Greycroft, Dana spent several years as a venture capitalist and advisor to startup companies in the Bay Area, including six years at Mayfield, where she focused on early stage companies in the mobile communications and consumer Internet markets. Dana currently manages Greycroft’s investments in Anine Bing, AppAnnie, Bird, Clique, Comparably, Goop, Happiest Baby, Seed, Thrive Market, Versed and WideOrbit. She also managed the firm’s investments in Awesomeness TV (acquired by Dreamworks), Maker Studios (acquired by Disney), Pulse (acquired by LinkedIn), TheRealReal (IPO), Trunk Club (acquired by Nordstrom), Sometrics (acquired by American Express), Viddy (acquired by Fullscreen), and Voicea (acquired by Cisco).Dana also serves as a Board of Director to IMAX Corporation. Her additional experience includes business development at Truveo (AOL), investment banking at Lehman Brothers and international business development at McCaw Cellular Communications (AT&T). Dana holds a BA in Finance and International Studies from the University of Washington and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Greycroft Partners
Bio
Dana Settle is a Founding Partner with Greycroft, and she heads the firm’s west coast office out of Los Angeles. Prior to Greycroft, Dana spent several years as a venture capitalist and advisor to startup companies in the Bay Area, including six years at Mayfield, where she focused on early stage companies in the mobile communications and consumer Internet markets. Dana currently manages Greycroft’s investments in Anine Bing, AppAnnie, Bird, Clique, Comparably, Goop, Happiest Baby, Seed, Thrive Market, Versed and WideOrbit. She also managed the firm’s investments in Awesomeness TV (acquired by Dreamworks), Maker Studios (acquired by Disney), Pulse (acquired by LinkedIn), TheRealReal (IPO), Trunk Club (acquired by Nordstrom), Sometrics (acquired by American Express), Viddy (acquired by Fullscreen), and Voicea (acquired by Cisco).Dana also serves as a Board of Director to IMAX Corporation. Her additional experience includes business development at Truveo (AOL), investment banking at Lehman Brothers and international business development at McCaw Cellular Communications (AT&T). Dana holds a BA in Finance and International Studies from the University of Washington and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Adam Sharkawy
Founder and Managing Partner
Material Impact
Bio
Dr. Sharkawy is a Founder and Managing Partner at Material Impact, a unique venture fund that focuses on investing in and building successful companies with novel products based on innovations in the underlying material technology. He serves as member of the Board of Directors for 10 companies such as Soft Robotics, Inc, NextGen Jane, Bloomer Tech, Lynq, Nohbo and Orbion Space Technologies. He also serves on the Graduate School Board of Duke University and previously on the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board for Texas A&M University. Adam’s career has been committed to innovation, from developing disruptive technologies and building companies from the inception stage to helping run commercial organizations of large-scale multinationals corporations.
Previously, Adam held a series of executive operating roles in publicly traded healthcare companies including Sr. Vice President of the Medicines Company, and Head of their Surgery and Perioperative Care Global Business Unit, where he led the integration of 4 acquisitions along with a legacy 5th business into a global unit with products spanning the spectrum of acute surgical care.
Before that, he helped establish the headquarters of Smith & Nephew’s Emerging Market (EM) and International Market (IM) divisions in Dubai where he served as a member of their executive leadership team and developed the product portfolio across all businesses. Prior, he also started the Advanced Healing Technologies / Biomaterials franchise within the Smith & Nephew Endoscopy division in the Boston area and led the R&D organization for that division.
Dr. Sharkawy was a member of the Abbott Vascular executive leadership team and served as their Vice President of Research and Advanced Development and New Ventures where he helped launch the world’s leading Drug Eluting Stent, the Xience/Promus system. While there, he spearheaded their business growth strategy and led the development of interventional site-specific therapies to vascular. In addition, he co-led the integration of Guidant Vascular Interventions and Abbott upon their merger in April 2006.
Prior to large corporate roles, Adam was an entrepreneur. He helped start Ventrica, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, and served as the Vice President of Research and Development until the acquisition of its technology by Medtronic. While at Ventrica, he also spun off a new venture in collaboration with the German government, Ventrigraft, GMBH. Prior to that, Dr. Sharkawy served in several technology development roles for Heartport (acquired by Johnson and Johnson) and Advanced Cardiovascular Systems (acquired by Eli Lilly) and then spun out as publicly traded Guidant.
Adam has also been a consultant to or on the Advisory Board of companies spanning industries such as aircraft (F-16 tail wing design), oil drilling (FMC deep sea drill design), and medical device (Angiotech, Adiana, Anexis, Apneon, Landsdowne Labs, MC10, Pavad Medical, Transient Electronics).
Dr. Sharkawy received his Ph.D. from Duke University in Biomaterials / Biomedical Engineering. He also holds a Masters Degree from Texas A&M University from the Institute of Innovation and Design in Engineering. Adam received his Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the American University, Cairo and before that, studied pre-medicine and Biology at the University of Delaware. He is a scientific inventor and holds 23 issued U.S. patents and numerous international patents.
Material Impact
Bio
Dr. Sharkawy is a Founder and Managing Partner at Material Impact, a unique venture fund that focuses on investing in and building successful companies with novel products based on innovations in the underlying material technology. He serves as member of the Board of Directors for 10 companies such as Soft Robotics, Inc, NextGen Jane, Bloomer Tech, Lynq, Nohbo and Orbion Space Technologies. He also serves on the Graduate School Board of Duke University and previously on the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board for Texas A&M University. Adam’s career has been committed to innovation, from developing disruptive technologies and building companies from the inception stage to helping run commercial organizations of large-scale multinationals corporations.
Previously, Adam held a series of executive operating roles in publicly traded healthcare companies including Sr. Vice President of the Medicines Company, and Head of their Surgery and Perioperative Care Global Business Unit, where he led the integration of 4 acquisitions along with a legacy 5th business into a global unit with products spanning the spectrum of acute surgical care.
Before that, he helped establish the headquarters of Smith & Nephew’s Emerging Market (EM) and International Market (IM) divisions in Dubai where he served as a member of their executive leadership team and developed the product portfolio across all businesses. Prior, he also started the Advanced Healing Technologies / Biomaterials franchise within the Smith & Nephew Endoscopy division in the Boston area and led the R&D organization for that division.
Dr. Sharkawy was a member of the Abbott Vascular executive leadership team and served as their Vice President of Research and Advanced Development and New Ventures where he helped launch the world’s leading Drug Eluting Stent, the Xience/Promus system. While there, he spearheaded their business growth strategy and led the development of interventional site-specific therapies to vascular. In addition, he co-led the integration of Guidant Vascular Interventions and Abbott upon their merger in April 2006.
Prior to large corporate roles, Adam was an entrepreneur. He helped start Ventrica, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, and served as the Vice President of Research and Development until the acquisition of its technology by Medtronic. While at Ventrica, he also spun off a new venture in collaboration with the German government, Ventrigraft, GMBH. Prior to that, Dr. Sharkawy served in several technology development roles for Heartport (acquired by Johnson and Johnson) and Advanced Cardiovascular Systems (acquired by Eli Lilly) and then spun out as publicly traded Guidant.
Adam has also been a consultant to or on the Advisory Board of companies spanning industries such as aircraft (F-16 tail wing design), oil drilling (FMC deep sea drill design), and medical device (Angiotech, Adiana, Anexis, Apneon, Landsdowne Labs, MC10, Pavad Medical, Transient Electronics).
Dr. Sharkawy received his Ph.D. from Duke University in Biomaterials / Biomedical Engineering. He also holds a Masters Degree from Texas A&M University from the Institute of Innovation and Design in Engineering. Adam received his Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the American University, Cairo and before that, studied pre-medicine and Biology at the University of Delaware. He is a scientific inventor and holds 23 issued U.S. patents and numerous international patents.
Krishna Srinivasan
Co-Founder
LiveOak Venture Partners
Bio
Krishna Srinivasan is a co-founder of LiveOak Venture Partners and has been investing in early stage Texas based companies and entrepreneurs since 2000.
Prior to founding LiveOak, Krishna was a Partner at Austin Ventures. Before joining Austin Ventures, Krishna was with Motorola where he wrote large scale optimization software for supply chain planning and worked with a variety of business units on strategic and operational issues. He started his professional career at SEMATECH.
Krishna received his MBA from Wharton where he graduated with highest academic honors as a Palmer Scholar. He also has an MS in Operations Research from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, where he graduated with the highest all-round honors.
LiveOak Venture Partners
Bio
Krishna Srinivasan is a co-founder of LiveOak Venture Partners and has been investing in early stage Texas based companies and entrepreneurs since 2000.
Prior to founding LiveOak, Krishna was a Partner at Austin Ventures. Before joining Austin Ventures, Krishna was with Motorola where he wrote large scale optimization software for supply chain planning and worked with a variety of business units on strategic and operational issues. He started his professional career at SEMATECH.
Krishna received his MBA from Wharton where he graduated with highest academic honors as a Palmer Scholar. He also has an MS in Operations Research from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, where he graduated with the highest all-round honors.
Sheel Tyle
CEO & Founder
Amplo
Bio
Sheel is the Founder & CEO of Amplo, a global venture capital firm helping build companies that matter. Amplo portfolio companies include Robinhood (democratizing access to financial services), Parsley Health (reinventing functional medicine), and Two Chairs (personalized mental health care). He is a member of the Board of Directors for Andela, most recently named the #1 most innovative company in Africa by Fast Company.
Sheel graduated from Stanford University in three years, at the age of 19. He is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and was on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2013. He holds a JD from Harvard Law School and is a Member of the State Bar of Texas. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Partnership and the JFK Presidential Library. In 2016, upon invitation of the White House, Sheel was part of the US delegation with President Obama on his historic visit to Cuba.
Amplo
Bio
Sheel is the Founder & CEO of Amplo, a global venture capital firm helping build companies that matter. Amplo portfolio companies include Robinhood (democratizing access to financial services), Parsley Health (reinventing functional medicine), and Two Chairs (personalized mental health care). He is a member of the Board of Directors for Andela, most recently named the #1 most innovative company in Africa by Fast Company.
Sheel graduated from Stanford University in three years, at the age of 19. He is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and was on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2013. He holds a JD from Harvard Law School and is a Member of the State Bar of Texas. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Partnership and the JFK Presidential Library. In 2016, upon invitation of the White House, Sheel was part of the US delegation with President Obama on his historic visit to Cuba.
Peter Weed
Partner
OpenView
Bio
Peter joined the partnership at OpenView to enhance its vision and leadership of the Product-Lead Growth (PLG) revolution. He oversees the firm’s effort to partner with market-leading expansion-stage SaaS startups to realize their greatest PLG ambitions.
Prior to OpenView Peter was a Partner at Lumia Capital, where he focused on a data-centric approach to identify, invest in, and scale globally-dominant SaaS innovators, and oversaw Lumia’s Global Success platform. Prior to Lumia Peter spent over a decade at McKinsey & Company, where he was a Partner and Co-Founder, Global Co-Head of the Fast Growth Tech Practice (now Fuel by McKinsey). As part this role, he worked with hundreds of venture-backed innovators and dozens of best-in-class VC firms, helping achieve and maintain category-leading positions scaling from $10MM to $100MM, and beyond.
OpenView
Bio
Peter joined the partnership at OpenView to enhance its vision and leadership of the Product-Lead Growth (PLG) revolution. He oversees the firm’s effort to partner with market-leading expansion-stage SaaS startups to realize their greatest PLG ambitions.
Prior to OpenView Peter was a Partner at Lumia Capital, where he focused on a data-centric approach to identify, invest in, and scale globally-dominant SaaS innovators, and oversaw Lumia’s Global Success platform. Prior to Lumia Peter spent over a decade at McKinsey & Company, where he was a Partner and Co-Founder, Global Co-Head of the Fast Growth Tech Practice (now Fuel by McKinsey). As part this role, he worked with hundreds of venture-backed innovators and dozens of best-in-class VC firms, helping achieve and maintain category-leading positions scaling from $10MM to $100MM, and beyond.
Ben Weinberg
Managing Director
Susquehanna Growth Equity
Bio
Ben Weinberg is a Managing Director with Susquehanna Growth Equity where he leads investments in vertical software, financial technology and marketplace companies. He is particularly interested in the use of technology in slower-adopting and highly fragmented industries.
Before joining Susquehanna, Ben was a Principal at Element Partners, where he led investments in software and tech-enabled companies. He started his career as a banker in the TMT and Latin America groups at Citigroup.
Ben graduated with an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.
Susquehanna Growth Equity
Bio
Ben Weinberg is a Managing Director with Susquehanna Growth Equity where he leads investments in vertical software, financial technology and marketplace companies. He is particularly interested in the use of technology in slower-adopting and highly fragmented industries.
Before joining Susquehanna, Ben was a Principal at Element Partners, where he led investments in software and tech-enabled companies. He started his career as a banker in the TMT and Latin America groups at Citigroup.
Ben graduated with an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.
Jay Zeidman
Managing Partner
Altitude Ventures
Bio
Jay S. Zeidman is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Altitude Ventures, a healthcare venture capital firm. Mr. Zeidman serves on the boards of the following community organizations: Houston First Corporation, UT Health Science Center of Houston, and the Emancipation Park Conservancy. Before joining AV, Mr. Zeidman was the Director of Business Development for U.S. Capital Advisors and served as an aide to President George W. Bush at the White House. Mr. Zeidman was named to the Houston Business Journal’s “40 under 40” class in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from TCU, where he also served as Student Body President, and his M.B.A. from the Jesse Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.
Altitude Ventures
Bio
Jay S. Zeidman is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Altitude Ventures, a healthcare venture capital firm. Mr. Zeidman serves on the boards of the following community organizations: Houston First Corporation, UT Health Science Center of Houston, and the Emancipation Park Conservancy. Before joining AV, Mr. Zeidman was the Director of Business Development for U.S. Capital Advisors and served as an aide to President George W. Bush at the White House. Mr. Zeidman was named to the Houston Business Journal’s “40 under 40” class in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from TCU, where he also served as Student Body President, and his M.B.A. from the Jesse Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.
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Entrepreneurs
Rakesh Agrawal
CEO & Founder
SnapStream
Bio
Rakesh Agrawal is the Founder and CEO of SnapStream Media, Inc., whose software enables the Daily Show, John Oliver, the White House and a few hundred others to record and search TV.
Rakesh is also a direct investor in 100+ early stage software and life science companies and a limited partner in a variety of venture capital and cryptocurrency hedge funds. Rakesh's investments include Cruise Automation (acquired by GM), Onit, Lowercase Capital, and Wag.
Rakesh grew up in Houston and New Delhi, India. He serves on the boards of Houston Exponential and the Post Oak School. He graduated from Rice University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Computer Science. Rakesh and his wife Shonali have three children.
SnapStream
Bio
Rakesh Agrawal is the Founder and CEO of SnapStream Media, Inc., whose software enables the Daily Show, John Oliver, the White House and a few hundred others to record and search TV.
Rakesh is also a direct investor in 100+ early stage software and life science companies and a limited partner in a variety of venture capital and cryptocurrency hedge funds. Rakesh's investments include Cruise Automation (acquired by GM), Onit, Lowercase Capital, and Wag.
Rakesh grew up in Houston and New Delhi, India. He serves on the boards of Houston Exponential and the Post Oak School. He graduated from Rice University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Computer Science. Rakesh and his wife Shonali have three children.
Joe Alapat
CEO & Founder
Liongard
Bio
Joe Alapat is a serial entrepreneur in the Technology industry. His background includes over two decades of experience managing IT infrastructure for large enterprises, mid-market companies, and SMBs under the care of an IT Managed Service Provider he owned, operated and sold. Following his exit, he founded Liongard to address the growing challenge of managing modern IT at scale, especially with the proliferation of technology and subsequent lack of visibility, automation and insight needed to manage modern IT with confidence. He graduated with honors from Trinity University, with a Bachelors in Computer Science and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Liongard
Bio
Joe Alapat is a serial entrepreneur in the Technology industry. His background includes over two decades of experience managing IT infrastructure for large enterprises, mid-market companies, and SMBs under the care of an IT Managed Service Provider he owned, operated and sold. Following his exit, he founded Liongard to address the growing challenge of managing modern IT at scale, especially with the proliferation of technology and subsequent lack of visibility, automation and insight needed to manage modern IT with confidence. He graduated with honors from Trinity University, with a Bachelors in Computer Science and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Alex Baqui
Co-Founder & CEO
Valhalla Healthcare
Bio
Alex Baqui, MD is the co-founder and CEO at Valhalla Healthcare. A Houston native himself, Alex completed his medical training at UTH McGovern Medical School in 2017. He decided to indefinitely defer residency to focus on solving a significant problem plaguing healthcare providers today: the growing physician documentation burden. With the help of his team of clinicians, developers, and data scientists, Alex is leveraging AI/ML to rethink the clinical documentation process to help physicians spend less time documenting and more time doctoring.
Alex has several notable endeavors while in medical school. As a first year medical student Alex converted his school’s problem-based learning (PBL) into a digitized program called EduMR; EduMR is a dynamic PBL case program in the form of a mock EHR that enhances critical thinking by allowing students to make orders and observe real-time responses. An avid fitness trainer, Alex was selected to compete on the NBC hit TV series American Ninja Warrior in 2015 during his second year. In 2016, Alex co-launched a fashion company called the Eros & Psyche, a fashion company showcasing a line of waterproof and stain-resistant skirts.
Alex is featured nationally for his work in the healthcare technology innovation space. He has participated as a featured panelist alongside billion-dollar companies, guest lecturer at graduate schools, and healthcare information technology committee ex officio board member at state medical societies.
In his free time, Alex enjoys lifting weights, video games, playing violin, practicing martial arts, horticulture, politics, and home brewing.
Valhalla Healthcare
Bio
Alex Baqui, MD is the co-founder and CEO at Valhalla Healthcare. A Houston native himself, Alex completed his medical training at UTH McGovern Medical School in 2017. He decided to indefinitely defer residency to focus on solving a significant problem plaguing healthcare providers today: the growing physician documentation burden. With the help of his team of clinicians, developers, and data scientists, Alex is leveraging AI/ML to rethink the clinical documentation process to help physicians spend less time documenting and more time doctoring.
Alex has several notable endeavors while in medical school. As a first year medical student Alex converted his school’s problem-based learning (PBL) into a digitized program called EduMR; EduMR is a dynamic PBL case program in the form of a mock EHR that enhances critical thinking by allowing students to make orders and observe real-time responses. An avid fitness trainer, Alex was selected to compete on the NBC hit TV series American Ninja Warrior in 2015 during his second year. In 2016, Alex co-launched a fashion company called the Eros & Psyche, a fashion company showcasing a line of waterproof and stain-resistant skirts.
Alex is featured nationally for his work in the healthcare technology innovation space. He has participated as a featured panelist alongside billion-dollar companies, guest lecturer at graduate schools, and healthcare information technology committee ex officio board member at state medical societies.
In his free time, Alex enjoys lifting weights, video games, playing violin, practicing martial arts, horticulture, politics, and home brewing.
Gaurab Chakrabarti
CEO & Co-Founder
Solugen
Solugen
Emma Fauss
CEO
MIC Healthcare
Bio
As the CEO and co-founder of Medical Informatics Corp. (MIC), Dr. Fauss leads the company she created to establish a new standard of digital critical care by innovating ways to capture, store, analyze and deliver real-time data to clinicians. She is committed to shifting the healthcare paradigm through MIC’s signature solution, Sickbay, which promotes efficiency and sustainability for hospitals and healthcare systems through vendor-neutral, flexible, web-based remote and virtual monitoring solutions; the development and deployment of real-time AI at scale; and the ability to leverage data to reduce costs, increase revenue, and improve efficiencies. Under Dr. Fauss’s leadership, MIC has demonstrated that its digital critical care applications are one-tenth the cost of more expensive hardware-based solutions to deploy.
Dr. Fauss received her undergraduate degree from The Cooper Union in NYC, her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Virginia, and her MBA from the Jones School of Business at Rice University. With more than a decade of experience as an industry thought leader, Dr. Fauss is often called upon to contribute her perspective to the growing interest in the application of data for virtual care, data-driven medicine, and patient-centered analytics. Her experience in building and leading venture-backed companies also makes Dr. Fauss an expert on high-tech, high-growth start-ups, medical technology integration and innovation, as well as women-led businesses.
Hobbies: Mentoring women in STEM | Beekeeping
MIC Healthcare
Bio
As the CEO and co-founder of Medical Informatics Corp. (MIC), Dr. Fauss leads the company she created to establish a new standard of digital critical care by innovating ways to capture, store, analyze and deliver real-time data to clinicians. She is committed to shifting the healthcare paradigm through MIC’s signature solution, Sickbay, which promotes efficiency and sustainability for hospitals and healthcare systems through vendor-neutral, flexible, web-based remote and virtual monitoring solutions; the development and deployment of real-time AI at scale; and the ability to leverage data to reduce costs, increase revenue, and improve efficiencies. Under Dr. Fauss’s leadership, MIC has demonstrated that its digital critical care applications are one-tenth the cost of more expensive hardware-based solutions to deploy.
Dr. Fauss received her undergraduate degree from The Cooper Union in NYC, her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Virginia, and her MBA from the Jones School of Business at Rice University. With more than a decade of experience as an industry thought leader, Dr. Fauss is often called upon to contribute her perspective to the growing interest in the application of data for virtual care, data-driven medicine, and patient-centered analytics. Her experience in building and leading venture-backed companies also makes Dr. Fauss an expert on high-tech, high-growth start-ups, medical technology integration and innovation, as well as women-led businesses.
Hobbies: Mentoring women in STEM | Beekeeping
Andy Grolnick
CEO
Graylog
Bio
Andy Grolnick is a CEO, Board Member and mentor with 34 years of experience building, scaling and leading technology businesses. He recently joined Graylog as its CEO and serves on the boards of startups Resurface and ThreatX. Prior to Graylog, Andy served as Chairman & CEO of LogRhythm for 14 years. Under his leadership, LogRhythm grew to become a leading cybersecurity software company with an award-winning SIEM platform, a respected company culture and thousands of enterprise customers across the globe. Andy led the company through a successful acquisition by Thoma Bravo in 2018.
Other significant accomplishments include playing a key role in building and leading the Zip Drive division of Iomega from its inception into a $1 billion entity in 2.5 years as its General Manager. Andy has previously served in senior roles at other technology companies and startups and began his career in software product management and strategy roles at Hewlett Packard.
Andy has a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Economics from Duke University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina. He has been married for 30 years, has 3 children and enjoys tennis, basketball, skiing, biking and sailing.
Graylog
Bio
Andy Grolnick is a CEO, Board Member and mentor with 34 years of experience building, scaling and leading technology businesses. He recently joined Graylog as its CEO and serves on the boards of startups Resurface and ThreatX. Prior to Graylog, Andy served as Chairman & CEO of LogRhythm for 14 years. Under his leadership, LogRhythm grew to become a leading cybersecurity software company with an award-winning SIEM platform, a respected company culture and thousands of enterprise customers across the globe. Andy led the company through a successful acquisition by Thoma Bravo in 2018.
Other significant accomplishments include playing a key role in building and leading the Zip Drive division of Iomega from its inception into a $1 billion entity in 2.5 years as its General Manager. Andy has previously served in senior roles at other technology companies and startups and began his career in software product management and strategy roles at Hewlett Packard.
Andy has a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Economics from Duke University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina. He has been married for 30 years, has 3 children and enjoys tennis, basketball, skiing, biking and sailing.
Ted Gutierrez
CEO & Co-Founder
SecurityGate.io
Bio
A native Houstonian, graduate from West Point and a US Army veteran, Ted has built a career around operations and risk management in critical industry sectors. He has led multiple company types in COO and CEO roles, focusing squarely on driving efficiency and scale to risk-based systems. Today, Ted leads SecurityGate.io, a SaaS company innovating new ways for the world’s top energy and manufacturing companies to manage cybersecurity risk lifecycles.
SecurityGate.io
Bio
A native Houstonian, graduate from West Point and a US Army veteran, Ted has built a career around operations and risk management in critical industry sectors. He has led multiple company types in COO and CEO roles, focusing squarely on driving efficiency and scale to risk-based systems. Today, Ted leads SecurityGate.io, a SaaS company innovating new ways for the world’s top energy and manufacturing companies to manage cybersecurity risk lifecycles.
Ben Johnson
Founder & CEO
Spruce
Bio
Ben Johnson is the Founder & CEO of Spruce, the leading provider of home services to apartment residents. After launching in March 2016, Spruce has grown to service over 230,000 units in 11 markets. Prior to Spruce, Ben worked for ING Capital in the Corporate and Investment Banking Division. Working with clients in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ben led transactions in project finance, asset-based lending, and export credit agency (ECA) finance.
Ben is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (BBA) and the University of Chicago – Booth School of Business (MBA, with Honors).
Spruce
Bio
Ben Johnson is the Founder & CEO of Spruce, the leading provider of home services to apartment residents. After launching in March 2016, Spruce has grown to service over 230,000 units in 11 markets. Prior to Spruce, Ben worked for ING Capital in the Corporate and Investment Banking Division. Working with clients in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ben led transactions in project finance, asset-based lending, and export credit agency (ECA) finance.
Ben is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (BBA) and the University of Chicago – Booth School of Business (MBA, with Honors).
Moji Karimi
CEO & Co-Founder
Cemvita Factory
Bio
Moji is the co-founder and CEO at Cemvita Factory, a biotech startup on a mission to create a carbon-negative future by transforming CO2 into valuable products. He is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and engineer who helps ideate, develop, and commercialize groundbreaking technology. He has a proven track record of taking ideas to market, both at big companies and startups. Moji's experiences range from developing advanced deepwater drilling methods to nature-inspired inspired technologies with applications in the energy, mining, and aerospace industries. Moji holds BS and MS degrees in drilling and petroleum engineering, respectively.
Cemvita Factory
Bio
Moji is the co-founder and CEO at Cemvita Factory, a biotech startup on a mission to create a carbon-negative future by transforming CO2 into valuable products. He is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and engineer who helps ideate, develop, and commercialize groundbreaking technology. He has a proven track record of taking ideas to market, both at big companies and startups. Moji's experiences range from developing advanced deepwater drilling methods to nature-inspired inspired technologies with applications in the energy, mining, and aerospace industries. Moji holds BS and MS degrees in drilling and petroleum engineering, respectively.
Emily Keeton
CFO
Mercato
Bio
Emily Keeton is the CFO of Mercato, the largest online marketplace focused exclusively on independent and specialty grocers. Prior to Mercato, she was most recently at WeWork, acting as Managing Director of WeWork’s Creator Fund and Global Head of M&A for the provider of flexible work space. Before joining WeWork, Keeton was co-head of M&A at IAC, the New York-based internet company. Ms. Keeton started her career in investment banking at DLJ and Credit Suisse covering Media and Technology companies.
Keeton currently serves on the Board of Directors for ezCater, the leading marketplace for business catering solutions. She also is a member of the Advisory Board of the Liu Idea Lab for Entrepreneurship at Rice University. She secured her MBA from Harvard Business School and her Bachelors degree from Columbia University. She is a proud Houston native.
Mercato
Bio
Emily Keeton is the CFO of Mercato, the largest online marketplace focused exclusively on independent and specialty grocers. Prior to Mercato, she was most recently at WeWork, acting as Managing Director of WeWork’s Creator Fund and Global Head of M&A for the provider of flexible work space. Before joining WeWork, Keeton was co-head of M&A at IAC, the New York-based internet company. Ms. Keeton started her career in investment banking at DLJ and Credit Suisse covering Media and Technology companies.
Keeton currently serves on the Board of Directors for ezCater, the leading marketplace for business catering solutions. She also is a member of the Advisory Board of the Liu Idea Lab for Entrepreneurship at Rice University. She secured her MBA from Harvard Business School and her Bachelors degree from Columbia University. She is a proud Houston native.
Topper Luciani
Founder & CEO
Goodfair
Bio
Topper Luciani is the founder and CEO of Goodfair. He is a passionate entrepreneur and environmentalist. He started his career selling used neck ties on ebay parlaying a love of thrift into multiple other businesses. Goodfair is the result of having spent ten years in every aspect of the used clothing business. Whether it be exporting donations or procuring vintage for television wardrobes. Topper has spent his entire career in this niche.
Goodfair
Bio
Topper Luciani is the founder and CEO of Goodfair. He is a passionate entrepreneur and environmentalist. He started his career selling used neck ties on ebay parlaying a love of thrift into multiple other businesses. Goodfair is the result of having spent ten years in every aspect of the used clothing business. Whether it be exporting donations or procuring vintage for television wardrobes. Topper has spent his entire career in this niche.
Sashi Narahari
Founder & CEO
HighRadius
Bio...
Sashi Narahari founded HighRadius in 2006. HighRadius leverages Artificial Intelligence-based Autonomous Systems to help companies automate Accounts Receivable and Treasury processes. A leader in Order to Cash automation technology, HighRadius' customers range from some of the largest global corporations, including more than 200 Fortune 1000 companies, as well as mid-size enterprises.After its latest $125 million Series B funding, HighRadius reached unicorn status, valued at over $1 billion. Sashi holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Maryland, College Park and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
HighRadius
Bio...
Sashi Narahari founded HighRadius in 2006. HighRadius leverages Artificial Intelligence-based Autonomous Systems to help companies automate Accounts Receivable and Treasury processes. A leader in Order to Cash automation technology, HighRadius' customers range from some of the largest global corporations, including more than 200 Fortune 1000 companies, as well as mid-size enterprises.After its latest $125 million Series B funding, HighRadius reached unicorn status, valued at over $1 billion. Sashi holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Maryland, College Park and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
Wogbe Ofori
Principal & Founder
360APPROACH
Bio
An entrepreneur and natural didact with the heart of a creative, engineer, and executive 360APPROACH’s Founder and Principal Wogbe (wo-bee) Ofori brings over 25-years of experience from multiple industries to every engagement. Known as the “Purveyor of Perspective,” his unusually diverse experiences have both proven and honed his talents as a generalist advisor, venture builder, and thought leader. Supporting Houston’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem's terraformation, Wogbe chairs ecosystem development organization Houston Exponential's Density+Collisions+Connections strategic committee, and serves on the Greater Houston Partnership's Houston Aerospace & Aviation Regional Taskforce. He has also volunteered hundreds of hours mentoring startup founders and companies throughout Texas through his association with startup development organizations Founder Institute, Capital Factory, MassChallenge, gener8tor, the University of Houston’s SURE (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) program, and The Cannon.
360APPROACH
Bio
An entrepreneur and natural didact with the heart of a creative, engineer, and executive 360APPROACH’s Founder and Principal Wogbe (wo-bee) Ofori brings over 25-years of experience from multiple industries to every engagement. Known as the “Purveyor of Perspective,” his unusually diverse experiences have both proven and honed his talents as a generalist advisor, venture builder, and thought leader. Supporting Houston’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem's terraformation, Wogbe chairs ecosystem development organization Houston Exponential's Density+Collisions+Connections strategic committee, and serves on the Greater Houston Partnership's Houston Aerospace & Aviation Regional Taskforce. He has also volunteered hundreds of hours mentoring startup founders and companies throughout Texas through his association with startup development organizations Founder Institute, Capital Factory, MassChallenge, gener8tor, the University of Houston’s SURE (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) program, and The Cannon.
Kim Raath
Co-Founder & CEO
Topl
Bio
Kim Raath is co-founder and CEO of Topl, an ESG technology company with a purpose-built blockchain that empowers businesses to prove and monetize ethical and sustainable practices. Before university, Kim worked in 18 developing countries to rebuild and strengthen communities by implementing innovative forms of technology. She has since given numerous talks about how technical innovation empowers communities to improve quality of life and access to opportunities. Kim was the first student at Rice University to simultaneously complete a Masters in Economics and PhD in Statistics, additionally she holds a BS in Mathematics. While at Rice, Kim met her Topl co-founders James and Chris, and found a common mindset and and desire to build systems create a better world. As CEO, Kim innovates around every problem that arises and continuously finds ways to grow the entire Topl ecosystem using her connections and resources in the mining and agricultural industry, creating an even more valuable company.
Topl
Bio
Kim Raath is co-founder and CEO of Topl, an ESG technology company with a purpose-built blockchain that empowers businesses to prove and monetize ethical and sustainable practices. Before university, Kim worked in 18 developing countries to rebuild and strengthen communities by implementing innovative forms of technology. She has since given numerous talks about how technical innovation empowers communities to improve quality of life and access to opportunities. Kim was the first student at Rice University to simultaneously complete a Masters in Economics and PhD in Statistics, additionally she holds a BS in Mathematics. While at Rice, Kim met her Topl co-founders James and Chris, and found a common mindset and and desire to build systems create a better world. As CEO, Kim innovates around every problem that arises and continuously finds ways to grow the entire Topl ecosystem using her connections and resources in the mining and agricultural industry, creating an even more valuable company.
Nic Radford
President & CEO
Houston Mechatronics & Jacobi Motors
Bio
Nic Radford is roboticist, inventor, and serial entrepreneur who holds roles as President and CEO of both of his technology startups he founded: Houston Mechatronics, Inc (HMI), an autonomous marine robotics technology company, and Jacobi Motors, LLC his variable flux electric motor company. He is also managing partner at Rad Capital Ventures, a hedge fund centered around the nodal trading of fixed transmission rights for electricity. Prior, he spent 14 years at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's Dexterous Robotics Laboratory at NASA. At the conclusion of his service to the government, Radford was the principal investigator tasked with leading the development of Valkyrie for the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) with an eye toward NASA's future Mars robotic's missions – a task that he received NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal for accomplishing.
Radford is active in the areas of electric motor design towards robotics and electric cars, winning awards for his research in variable flux technology. Radford holds numerous patents, has authored several publications, and earned a BSEE and a MSEE both from Purdue University. In 2017, Radford was the recipient of the Houston Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Award.
Houston Mechatronics & Jacobi Motors
Bio
Nic Radford is roboticist, inventor, and serial entrepreneur who holds roles as President and CEO of both of his technology startups he founded: Houston Mechatronics, Inc (HMI), an autonomous marine robotics technology company, and Jacobi Motors, LLC his variable flux electric motor company. He is also managing partner at Rad Capital Ventures, a hedge fund centered around the nodal trading of fixed transmission rights for electricity. Prior, he spent 14 years at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's Dexterous Robotics Laboratory at NASA. At the conclusion of his service to the government, Radford was the principal investigator tasked with leading the development of Valkyrie for the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) with an eye toward NASA's future Mars robotic's missions – a task that he received NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal for accomplishing.
Radford is active in the areas of electric motor design towards robotics and electric cars, winning awards for his research in variable flux technology. Radford holds numerous patents, has authored several publications, and earned a BSEE and a MSEE both from Purdue University. In 2017, Radford was the recipient of the Houston Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Award.
Bryan Sansbury
CEO
AEGIS Hedging Solutions
Bio
Bryan has served as Chairman of the AEGIS Board and as CEO of the firm since June 2019. Bryan co-founded the firm and joined AEGIS in 2017 to lead the operations, technology and financial management of the Company as an outside advisor since its inception in 2013. Prior to joining AEGIS, Bryan was the President of Health & Wealth Solutions at Alight Solutions, leading 17,000 global colleagues serving 1,400 benefits administration and consumer experience consulting clients in a business that generated $2.4bn in annual revenue. Prior to this role, Bryan was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer of Aon Hewitt. Bryan is a graduate of Berry College and a Fellow of the CEO Perspectives Program through the Kellogg School of Management. Bryan also serves as the Lead Independent Director and Chairman of the Compensation Committee for LGI Homes (NASDAQ: LGIH).
Outside of the office, Bryan enjoys playing golf, wakesurfing, listening to live music, cheering on the Astros, learning about wine and spending time with his wife and 3 children.
AEGIS Hedging Solutions
Bio
Bryan has served as Chairman of the AEGIS Board and as CEO of the firm since June 2019. Bryan co-founded the firm and joined AEGIS in 2017 to lead the operations, technology and financial management of the Company as an outside advisor since its inception in 2013. Prior to joining AEGIS, Bryan was the President of Health & Wealth Solutions at Alight Solutions, leading 17,000 global colleagues serving 1,400 benefits administration and consumer experience consulting clients in a business that generated $2.4bn in annual revenue. Prior to this role, Bryan was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer of Aon Hewitt. Bryan is a graduate of Berry College and a Fellow of the CEO Perspectives Program through the Kellogg School of Management. Bryan also serves as the Lead Independent Director and Chairman of the Compensation Committee for LGI Homes (NASDAQ: LGIH).
Outside of the office, Bryan enjoys playing golf, wakesurfing, listening to live music, cheering on the Astros, learning about wine and spending time with his wife and 3 children.
Mark Schmulen
VP of Smart Access
RealPage, Inc
Bio
Mark Schmulen is VP of Smart Access for RealPage, Inc., a leading global provider of software and data analytics to the real estate industry. Mark joined RealPage in September of 2020 through its acquisition of Chirp Systems Inc., where Mark served as co-founder and CEO. Previously, Mark was co-founder and CEO of Nutshell Mail, Inc., which was acquired by Constant Contact., Inc in 2010. At Constant Contact, Mark served as General Manager of the company’s social media business unit, where he was responsible for guiding Constant Contact’s social media product and go-to-market strategies. Mark began his career as an investment banking analyst at J.P. Morgan in New York City. Mark earned a Master’s degree in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from University of Pennsylvania.
RealPage, Inc
Bio
Mark Schmulen is VP of Smart Access for RealPage, Inc., a leading global provider of software and data analytics to the real estate industry. Mark joined RealPage in September of 2020 through its acquisition of Chirp Systems Inc., where Mark served as co-founder and CEO. Previously, Mark was co-founder and CEO of Nutshell Mail, Inc., which was acquired by Constant Contact., Inc in 2010. At Constant Contact, Mark served as General Manager of the company’s social media business unit, where he was responsible for guiding Constant Contact’s social media product and go-to-market strategies. Mark began his career as an investment banking analyst at J.P. Morgan in New York City. Mark earned a Master’s degree in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from University of Pennsylvania.
Omair Tariq
CEO & Co-Founder
Cart.com
Cart.com
Sid Upadhyay
Co-Founder & CEO
Wizehire
Bio
Sid Upadhyay is a Houston native, and the co-founder and CEO of WizeHire, an online recruiting service helping small businesses hire and grow.
WizeHire's mission is to seamlessly connect businesses to talent, and since 2014 more than 7000 businesses have trusted WizeHire to help them build a great team.
Prior to WizeHire, Sid co-founded an education startup, building a tutor marketplace. He has also advised companies on topics such as go-to-market strategies and technology M&A.
Sid is a published machine learning researcher and holds a B.S. in statistics from the University of Texas at Austin.
Wizehire
Bio
Sid Upadhyay is a Houston native, and the co-founder and CEO of WizeHire, an online recruiting service helping small businesses hire and grow.
WizeHire's mission is to seamlessly connect businesses to talent, and since 2014 more than 7000 businesses have trusted WizeHire to help them build a great team.
Prior to WizeHire, Sid co-founded an education startup, building a tutor marketplace. He has also advised companies on topics such as go-to-market strategies and technology M&A.
Sid is a published machine learning researcher and holds a B.S. in statistics from the University of Texas at Austin.
Corporate Leaders
Luis Alcoser
GM of Future Energy
Chevron Technology Ventures
Bio
Luis Alcoser is the GM of Future Energy within Chevron Technology Ventures where he leads investment in innovative start-ups which have the potential to play a critical role in an energy system that is increasingly electrified, decarbonized, digitized, and decentralized. Prior to joining Chevron, Luis spent 20 years holding various upstream technical, operational, business development and venture capital positions globally with BP, Shell, Noble Energy, and Schlumberger where he led projects in conventional and unconventional plays across the continental U.S., deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Israel, Russia, Malaysia, Equatorial Guinea and Angola.
Luis has a B.S. degree in Natural Gas Engineering and an M.E. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University, an MBA and Master of Finance degrees from Tulane University as well as a Law degree (J.D.) from the University of Houston.
Chevron Technology Ventures
Bio
Luis Alcoser is the GM of Future Energy within Chevron Technology Ventures where he leads investment in innovative start-ups which have the potential to play a critical role in an energy system that is increasingly electrified, decarbonized, digitized, and decentralized. Prior to joining Chevron, Luis spent 20 years holding various upstream technical, operational, business development and venture capital positions globally with BP, Shell, Noble Energy, and Schlumberger where he led projects in conventional and unconventional plays across the continental U.S., deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Israel, Russia, Malaysia, Equatorial Guinea and Angola.
Luis has a B.S. degree in Natural Gas Engineering and an M.E. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University, an MBA and Master of Finance degrees from Tulane University as well as a Law degree (J.D.) from the University of Houston.
Dr. Marc Boom
President & CEO
Houston Methodist
Bio
Marc L. Boom, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.H.E., is president and CEO of Houston Methodist and holds the Ella Fondren and Josie Roberts Presidential Distinguished Centennial Chair. Houston Methodist is a hospital system with more than 2,300 beds and 24,000 employees. Its flagship, Houston Methodist Hospital, has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as an Honor Roll hospital and the No. 1 hospital in Texas for nine years in a row – and named an Honor Roll hospital four times. The system also includes a world-renowned research institute as well as seven community hospitals and multiple standalone emergency care centers all serving the Houston region. Houston Methodist is affiliated with a number of academic institutions that support its teaching and research initiatives, including Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Texas A&M University.
Dr. Boom holds a B.S. in Biology with High Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.D. with High Honors from Baylor College of Medicine, and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and fellowships in geriatric medicine and general medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Previously Dr. Boom was executive vice president of The Methodist Hospital, president and CEO of Methodist Diagnostic Hospital and president/CEO/medical director of Baylor-Methodist Primary Care Associates, a network of primary care physicians.
Dr. Boom is also an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, an adjunct professor of management, policy and community health at The University of Texas School of Public Health and previously an adjunct professor of Management at Rice University. Dr. Boom is a member of numerous professional and community organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives, The Leadership Institute, the American College of Physician Executives, the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Advisory Council; and, the American Heart Association where he is Past-President of the Board for the Houston Office. Dr. Boom is chair-elect of the Texas Hospital Association having previously served on the organization’s board of trustees. He represents Houston Methodist Hospital on the Vizient Consortium CEO Executive Board. Dr. Boom has been a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) since 2012. He served as moderator of the group’s Forum V in 2013-2014. Dr. Boom also serves on the board of Texans By Nature and the Houston Advisory Board of Directors of Amegy Bank. He previously served as chair of the Health Care Advisory Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership. He maintains a part-time clinical practice where his special interests are preventive medicine, lipid disorders, and hypertension.
Dr. Boom was named CEO Communicator of the Year by the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2014. He was finalist for the 2009 and 2010 Health Care Hero Award by the Houston Business Journal. In 1999, Modern Healthcare magazine named Dr. Boom one of healthcare’s newest leaders – the “Up and Comers.” In the 2007 Modern Healthcare “Up and Comers Yearbook” celebrating 20 years of the list, Dr. Boom was singled out as the “Star Student” of the “Up and Comers Class of 1999.” The American Heart Association awarded Dr. Boom the “2006 Distinguished Service Award” and in 2012, Dr. Boom and his wife Dr. Julie Boom received the “Good Samaritan Award” from Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers. In 2016, he was selected to receive the year’s American College of Healthcare Executives Regent for Texas – Southeast, Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award as well as the ACHE’s Recognition Award.
Dr. Julie Boom is a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital. Her special interests are in vaccine advocacy and research. Married for more than 25 years, the Booms have three children, Kathryn (25), John (21), and Janie (15). They are active members of First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Boom enjoys travel, soccer, gardening, playing the piano and gourmet cooking.
Houston Methodist
Bio
Marc L. Boom, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.H.E., is president and CEO of Houston Methodist and holds the Ella Fondren and Josie Roberts Presidential Distinguished Centennial Chair. Houston Methodist is a hospital system with more than 2,300 beds and 24,000 employees. Its flagship, Houston Methodist Hospital, has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as an Honor Roll hospital and the No. 1 hospital in Texas for nine years in a row – and named an Honor Roll hospital four times. The system also includes a world-renowned research institute as well as seven community hospitals and multiple standalone emergency care centers all serving the Houston region. Houston Methodist is affiliated with a number of academic institutions that support its teaching and research initiatives, including Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Texas A&M University.
Dr. Boom holds a B.S. in Biology with High Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.D. with High Honors from Baylor College of Medicine, and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and fellowships in geriatric medicine and general medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Previously Dr. Boom was executive vice president of The Methodist Hospital, president and CEO of Methodist Diagnostic Hospital and president/CEO/medical director of Baylor-Methodist Primary Care Associates, a network of primary care physicians.
Dr. Boom is also an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, an adjunct professor of management, policy and community health at The University of Texas School of Public Health and previously an adjunct professor of Management at Rice University. Dr. Boom is a member of numerous professional and community organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives, The Leadership Institute, the American College of Physician Executives, the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Advisory Council; and, the American Heart Association where he is Past-President of the Board for the Houston Office. Dr. Boom is chair-elect of the Texas Hospital Association having previously served on the organization’s board of trustees. He represents Houston Methodist Hospital on the Vizient Consortium CEO Executive Board. Dr. Boom has been a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) since 2012. He served as moderator of the group’s Forum V in 2013-2014. Dr. Boom also serves on the board of Texans By Nature and the Houston Advisory Board of Directors of Amegy Bank. He previously served as chair of the Health Care Advisory Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership. He maintains a part-time clinical practice where his special interests are preventive medicine, lipid disorders, and hypertension.
Dr. Boom was named CEO Communicator of the Year by the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2014. He was finalist for the 2009 and 2010 Health Care Hero Award by the Houston Business Journal. In 1999, Modern Healthcare magazine named Dr. Boom one of healthcare’s newest leaders – the “Up and Comers.” In the 2007 Modern Healthcare “Up and Comers Yearbook” celebrating 20 years of the list, Dr. Boom was singled out as the “Star Student” of the “Up and Comers Class of 1999.” The American Heart Association awarded Dr. Boom the “2006 Distinguished Service Award” and in 2012, Dr. Boom and his wife Dr. Julie Boom received the “Good Samaritan Award” from Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers. In 2016, he was selected to receive the year’s American College of Healthcare Executives Regent for Texas – Southeast, Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award as well as the ACHE’s Recognition Award.
Dr. Julie Boom is a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital. Her special interests are in vaccine advocacy and research. Married for more than 25 years, the Booms have three children, Kathryn (25), John (21), and Janie (15). They are active members of First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Boom enjoys travel, soccer, gardening, playing the piano and gourmet cooking.
Juliet Breeze
CEO & Founder; VP
Next Level Urgent Care; Vantage Hospice
Bio
Juliet Breeze, MD is a healthcare entrepreneur who is the CEO and Founder of Next Level Urgent Care and the Vice President of Vantage Hospice. Dr. Breeze has developed multiple medical organizations including a comprehensive orthopedics practice, a rehabilitation hospital and several surgical centers as well as her two current ventures. She has a deep interest in Healthcare IT and has created proprietary electronic medical records content for all her organizations.
During her career, Dr. Breeze has also furthered the business of others by serving on the Board of Directors for Founders Bank, Vista Bank, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce where she currently serves as the Board Chair. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Blockit and as an advisory board member for Checkins, both healthcare tech start-ups.
Breeze is deeply involved in philanthropy with a special focus on charities, serving the needs of women and children. She currently serves on the Executive Committee and is the Board Chair-Elect for Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas. She teaches entrepreneurship to high schoolers and serves on the Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee. She is also an active member of the Board of Fort Bend Women’s Center.
She has been honored to receive recent awards including regional finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 and 2018. Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and the President’s award in 2019. She has also been named a “Most Admired CEO” by the Houston Business Journal in 2019 and one of Houston’s Top 30 Influential Women by D-Mars.com.
Next Level Urgent Care has received the distinction of being named a “Best Place to Work” from the Houston Business Journal in 2016 and 2018 and a Top Work Place by the Houston Chronicle in 2018. Next Level has also been named the Reader’s Choice for Best Urgent Care by Living Magazine for the past five years in a row and has received similar Reader’s choice recognitions from The Katy Times and the Fort Bend Star. It was named the 2020 Best Urgent Care by The Houston Chronicle.
Dr. Breeze graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts with honors in English. She earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed residency in Family Practice. She and her husband are proud parents to four wonderful children, two dogs and a cat. She enjoys travel with her family and hiking in her free time.
Next Level Urgent Care; Vantage Hospice
Bio
Juliet Breeze, MD is a healthcare entrepreneur who is the CEO and Founder of Next Level Urgent Care and the Vice President of Vantage Hospice. Dr. Breeze has developed multiple medical organizations including a comprehensive orthopedics practice, a rehabilitation hospital and several surgical centers as well as her two current ventures. She has a deep interest in Healthcare IT and has created proprietary electronic medical records content for all her organizations.
During her career, Dr. Breeze has also furthered the business of others by serving on the Board of Directors for Founders Bank, Vista Bank, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce where she currently serves as the Board Chair. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Blockit and as an advisory board member for Checkins, both healthcare tech start-ups.
Breeze is deeply involved in philanthropy with a special focus on charities, serving the needs of women and children. She currently serves on the Executive Committee and is the Board Chair-Elect for Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas. She teaches entrepreneurship to high schoolers and serves on the Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee. She is also an active member of the Board of Fort Bend Women’s Center.
She has been honored to receive recent awards including regional finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 and 2018. Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and the President’s award in 2019. She has also been named a “Most Admired CEO” by the Houston Business Journal in 2019 and one of Houston’s Top 30 Influential Women by D-Mars.com.
Next Level Urgent Care has received the distinction of being named a “Best Place to Work” from the Houston Business Journal in 2016 and 2018 and a Top Work Place by the Houston Chronicle in 2018. Next Level has also been named the Reader’s Choice for Best Urgent Care by Living Magazine for the past five years in a row and has received similar Reader’s choice recognitions from The Katy Times and the Fort Bend Star. It was named the 2020 Best Urgent Care by The Houston Chronicle.
Dr. Breeze graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts with honors in English. She earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed residency in Family Practice. She and her husband are proud parents to four wonderful children, two dogs and a cat. She enjoys travel with her family and hiking in her free time.
Dan Castagnola
President
Quanta Capital Solutions
Bio
Dan Castagnola is a seasoned energy professional with more than 30 years of experience in financing, acquiring and restructuring energy companies. Dan is President of Quanta Capital Solutions, the investing arm of Quanta Services, Inc., the leading specialty contractor in North America – providing fully integrated solutions for the electric power, pipeline and industrial communications industries.
Prior to Quanta, Dan spent 15 years at GE, where Dan built and led the midstream practice becoming one of the best performing sector within GE Energy Financial Sector (EFS). As a Managing Director of EFS, Dan’s team invested in mid- and downstream oil & gas infrastructure, power, and in a broad range of energy infrastructure in North and Latin America. It also provided financial products that span the capital structure from leases to equity. In this role, he was responsible for originating investments in the energy industry and meeting an annual investment goal in excess of $3 billion.
Before joining GE in 2002, Dan spent nine years at Enron in its international division. His last assignment at Enron was as Vice President of Finance for Central America, the Caribbean and LNG worldwide.
Dan holds an MBA with honors and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston. He also is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas.
Quanta Capital Solutions
Bio
Dan Castagnola is a seasoned energy professional with more than 30 years of experience in financing, acquiring and restructuring energy companies. Dan is President of Quanta Capital Solutions, the investing arm of Quanta Services, Inc., the leading specialty contractor in North America – providing fully integrated solutions for the electric power, pipeline and industrial communications industries.
Prior to Quanta, Dan spent 15 years at GE, where Dan built and led the midstream practice becoming one of the best performing sector within GE Energy Financial Sector (EFS). As a Managing Director of EFS, Dan’s team invested in mid- and downstream oil & gas infrastructure, power, and in a broad range of energy infrastructure in North and Latin America. It also provided financial products that span the capital structure from leases to equity. In this role, he was responsible for originating investments in the energy industry and meeting an annual investment goal in excess of $3 billion.
Before joining GE in 2002, Dan spent nine years at Enron in its international division. His last assignment at Enron was as Vice President of Finance for Central America, the Caribbean and LNG worldwide.
Dan holds an MBA with honors and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston. He also is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas.
Amy Chronis
Houston Managing Partner
Deloitte
Bio
Amy Chronis serves as the Houston Managing Partner for Deloitte LLP, the city’s largest professional services organization with over 2300 employees. Amy has more than 30 years of experience serving public and private enterprises from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 leaders, with a focus on the oil, gas & chemicals, technology, and consumer products industries.
She plays an active leadership role across Deloitte and in a number of civic organizations. At Deloitte, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Deloitte Foundation and the Nominating Committee of the Deloitte U.S. Board of Directors. Her current civic roles include 2021 Chair of the Greater Houston Partnership Board, Executive Committee and Board of the United Way of Greater Houston, Audit and Finance Committee for The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, the Texas 2036 Board, and the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation Board.
Deloitte
Bio
Amy Chronis serves as the Houston Managing Partner for Deloitte LLP, the city’s largest professional services organization with over 2300 employees. Amy has more than 30 years of experience serving public and private enterprises from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 leaders, with a focus on the oil, gas & chemicals, technology, and consumer products industries.
She plays an active leadership role across Deloitte and in a number of civic organizations. At Deloitte, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Deloitte Foundation and the Nominating Committee of the Deloitte U.S. Board of Directors. Her current civic roles include 2021 Chair of the Greater Houston Partnership Board, Executive Committee and Board of the United Way of Greater Houston, Audit and Finance Committee for The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, the Texas 2036 Board, and the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation Board.
Dr. Paul Klotman
Executive Dean
Baylor College of Medicine
Bio
Dr. Paul Klotman began serving as president, CEO and Executive Dean of Baylor College of Medicine on September 1, 2010. He received his B.S. degree in 1972 from the University of Michigan and his M.D. from Indiana University in 1976. He completed his medicine and nephrology training at Duke University Medical Center. He stayed at Duke as a faculty member before moving to the National Institutes of Health in 1988, where he became chief of the Molecular Medicine Section in the Laboratory of Developmental Biology. In 1993, he became chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory in the NIDR/NIH. In 1994, he moved to Mount Sinai School of Medicine as Chief of the Division of Nephrology. In 2001, he was selected to be the chair of the Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Dr. Klotman's research has been a blend of both basic and clinical research in molecular virology and AIDS pathogenesis. He is the author of more than 200 publications, and he has been a visiting professor and lecturer internationally in the field of HIV pathogenesis. He has been elected to both the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. He is on the editorial boards of journals both in the United States and in Europe, and he has served on and chaired numerous study sections including those from the NIH, the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation, and the VA research service.
In addition to his laboratory efforts, Dr. Klotman has been an active clinician, teacher, and mentor. Students from his laboratory have won prestigious scientific competitions. He has trained over 50 clinical fellows, postdoctoral fellows, and students in his laboratory since 1984, most of whom are independently funded. His mentees now include several Deans and many Chairs, Division Chiefs and Center Directors.
Dr. Klotman serves on the scientific advisory boards of biotech, pharmaceutical, and health care companies. He also serves on the board of several companies including those with interests in natural resources and conservation.
At Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees the only private health sciences university in the Greater Southwest United States, with total research funding of more than $500 million. The medical school is ranked among the top 25 institutions for research and the top 5 for primary care by U.S. News & World Report. The School of Health Professions is among the best in the nation as is the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. As the CEO of Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees approximately 15,000 employees, 3,500 students, residents and fellows, and is responsible for the Baylor medical staff at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, the DeBakey VA Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital and its affiliated clinics, the Menninger Clinic and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. He serves on the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Health System and the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, the College’s jointly owned and governed private adult hospital. The enterprise revenue is over $2 billion dollars with net assets of approximately $2 billion.
Baylor College of Medicine
Bio
Dr. Paul Klotman began serving as president, CEO and Executive Dean of Baylor College of Medicine on September 1, 2010. He received his B.S. degree in 1972 from the University of Michigan and his M.D. from Indiana University in 1976. He completed his medicine and nephrology training at Duke University Medical Center. He stayed at Duke as a faculty member before moving to the National Institutes of Health in 1988, where he became chief of the Molecular Medicine Section in the Laboratory of Developmental Biology. In 1993, he became chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory in the NIDR/NIH. In 1994, he moved to Mount Sinai School of Medicine as Chief of the Division of Nephrology. In 2001, he was selected to be the chair of the Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Dr. Klotman's research has been a blend of both basic and clinical research in molecular virology and AIDS pathogenesis. He is the author of more than 200 publications, and he has been a visiting professor and lecturer internationally in the field of HIV pathogenesis. He has been elected to both the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. He is on the editorial boards of journals both in the United States and in Europe, and he has served on and chaired numerous study sections including those from the NIH, the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation, and the VA research service.
In addition to his laboratory efforts, Dr. Klotman has been an active clinician, teacher, and mentor. Students from his laboratory have won prestigious scientific competitions. He has trained over 50 clinical fellows, postdoctoral fellows, and students in his laboratory since 1984, most of whom are independently funded. His mentees now include several Deans and many Chairs, Division Chiefs and Center Directors.
Dr. Klotman serves on the scientific advisory boards of biotech, pharmaceutical, and health care companies. He also serves on the board of several companies including those with interests in natural resources and conservation.
At Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees the only private health sciences university in the Greater Southwest United States, with total research funding of more than $500 million. The medical school is ranked among the top 25 institutions for research and the top 5 for primary care by U.S. News & World Report. The School of Health Professions is among the best in the nation as is the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. As the CEO of Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees approximately 15,000 employees, 3,500 students, residents and fellows, and is responsible for the Baylor medical staff at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, the DeBakey VA Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital and its affiliated clinics, the Menninger Clinic and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. He serves on the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Health System and the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, the College’s jointly owned and governed private adult hospital. The enterprise revenue is over $2 billion dollars with net assets of approximately $2 billion.
Michael Lipe
Managing Directory, Brand and Marketing Strategy
Insperity
Bio
Michael joined Insperity in 2012 and leads a team of marketing professionals charged with generating value-based sales opportunities, driving customer engagement, and elevating the overall Insperity brand, all guided by a deep commitment to market research and analytical decision-making. He also serves as an industry director on the board of the Employee Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC). Passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation and continuous learning, Michael is committed to Insperity's mission to help businesses succeed so communities prosper.
Insperity
Bio
Michael joined Insperity in 2012 and leads a team of marketing professionals charged with generating value-based sales opportunities, driving customer engagement, and elevating the overall Insperity brand, all guided by a deep commitment to market research and analytical decision-making. He also serves as an industry director on the board of the Employee Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC). Passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation and continuous learning, Michael is committed to Insperity's mission to help businesses succeed so communities prosper.
Mike Pia
Chief Investment Officer
Texas A&M Foundation
Bio
Mike Pia joined the Texas A&M Foundation as its Chief Investment Officer in May of 2020 and leads the Foundation’s investment team in driving critical decisions for the success of the Foundation’s $2 billion long-term investment pool to the sole benefit of Texas A&M University. Mike is also a key member of the Foundation’s executive team that is charged with charting a path to achieve the Foundation’s vision of being amongst the most trusted philanthropies in higher education.
Mike came to the Foundation from the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas, where he held a variety of roles to include managing director of the Trust’s strategic relationships, chair of the management committee, investment committee member, chief of staff, as well as a senior real estate portfolio manager.
Prior to his career in finance, Mike was a Marine Officer and served in the United States Marine Corps on both Active Duty and in the Reserves, deploying overseas four times. His primary military specialty was a F-18D Weapons and Sensor Officer (WSO) and he also served as a flight instructor and battalion air officer. Following his Active Duty military service, Mike worked for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as a senior systems engineer on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as well as the Advanced Development Program (ADP).
Mr. Pia has earned both CFA and CAIA charters. He also holds an MBA degree from Texas Christian University, an M.S. in Software Engineering from the University of West Florida and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering With Distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is married and has two daughters, both of whom are Aggies.
Texas A&M Foundation
Bio
Mike Pia joined the Texas A&M Foundation as its Chief Investment Officer in May of 2020 and leads the Foundation’s investment team in driving critical decisions for the success of the Foundation’s $2 billion long-term investment pool to the sole benefit of Texas A&M University. Mike is also a key member of the Foundation’s executive team that is charged with charting a path to achieve the Foundation’s vision of being amongst the most trusted philanthropies in higher education.
Mike came to the Foundation from the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas, where he held a variety of roles to include managing director of the Trust’s strategic relationships, chair of the management committee, investment committee member, chief of staff, as well as a senior real estate portfolio manager.
Prior to his career in finance, Mike was a Marine Officer and served in the United States Marine Corps on both Active Duty and in the Reserves, deploying overseas four times. His primary military specialty was a F-18D Weapons and Sensor Officer (WSO) and he also served as a flight instructor and battalion air officer. Following his Active Duty military service, Mike worked for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as a senior systems engineer on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as well as the Advanced Development Program (ADP).
Mr. Pia has earned both CFA and CAIA charters. He also holds an MBA degree from Texas Christian University, an M.S. in Software Engineering from the University of West Florida and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering With Distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is married and has two daughters, both of whom are Aggies.
Les Rechan
COO
PROS
Bio
Les Rechan, Chief Operating Officer joined PROS in May 2020. He leads the go-to-market, customer experience and engagement functions to further scale and grow these operations globally. Prior to his appointment to COO, Rechan served on the PROS board of directors from 2015 to 2020.
Rechan brings to PROS more than three decades of experience scaling global operations and building world-class teams in the Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, and Enterprise IT markets. Prior to PROS, Rechan served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Solace Systems, a smart data movement solutions company, headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. He has also served as President, CEO and a director of Halogen Software, a cloud-based talent management software provider, which was acquired by SABA.
Rechan previously served as General Manager, IBM Business Analytics Division, and has also served as Chief Operating Officer of Cognos. Moreover, he has held global executive leadership roles with Oracle, Siebel Systems, Cadence Design Systems and Onyx Software.
Rechan currently serves on the board of directors of MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), a leading provider of enterprise analytics and mobility software and services. He is also a Venture Partner with The Entrepreneurs’ Fund and Mistral Venture Partners, as well as a Board Advisor to Cognitive Scale, an enterprise AI software company, and Jasci Software, a next generation cloud warehouse management platform company.
Rechan earned his M.A. in Management from Northwestern University, a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.A. in organizational behavior from Brown University.
PROS
Bio
Les Rechan, Chief Operating Officer joined PROS in May 2020. He leads the go-to-market, customer experience and engagement functions to further scale and grow these operations globally. Prior to his appointment to COO, Rechan served on the PROS board of directors from 2015 to 2020.
Rechan brings to PROS more than three decades of experience scaling global operations and building world-class teams in the Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, and Enterprise IT markets. Prior to PROS, Rechan served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Solace Systems, a smart data movement solutions company, headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. He has also served as President, CEO and a director of Halogen Software, a cloud-based talent management software provider, which was acquired by SABA.
Rechan previously served as General Manager, IBM Business Analytics Division, and has also served as Chief Operating Officer of Cognos. Moreover, he has held global executive leadership roles with Oracle, Siebel Systems, Cadence Design Systems and Onyx Software.
Rechan currently serves on the board of directors of MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), a leading provider of enterprise analytics and mobility software and services. He is also a Venture Partner with The Entrepreneurs’ Fund and Mistral Venture Partners, as well as a Board Advisor to Cognitive Scale, an enterprise AI software company, and Jasci Software, a next generation cloud warehouse management platform company.
Rechan earned his M.A. in Management from Northwestern University, a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.A. in organizational behavior from Brown University.
Roberta Schwartz
EVP & Chief Innovation Officer
Houston Methodist Hospital
Bio
Roberta L. Schwartz is the executive vice president and chief innovation officer of Houston Methodist Hospital, one of the Texas Medical Center’s founding institutions. She is responsible for overseeing all operations at the 952-bed hospital, which has been named by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas for nine straight years and has also been named to the publication’s prestigious “Honor Roll” of America’s best 20 hospitals four times. In her role as chief innovation officer, Roberta is responsible for advancing and expanding Houston Methodist’s digital innovation platforms, including telemedicine, artificial intelligence and big data.
Prior to joining Houston Methodist, Roberta worked as director of business development for Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, as a consultant and project manager to several academic medical centers for APM/Computer Sciences Corporation, and for CMS (HCFA).
Roberta earned a Masters in Health Science from Johns Hopkins University and an honors undergraduate degree from Barnard College at Columbia University. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Roberta is involved in many non-profit organizations such as Lifegift OPO, Robert M Beren Academy and the UOS Synagogue, Young Survival Coalition and many breast cancer organizations. Roberta has been recognized nationally for her professional and non-profit work.
Houston Methodist Hospital
Bio
Roberta L. Schwartz is the executive vice president and chief innovation officer of Houston Methodist Hospital, one of the Texas Medical Center’s founding institutions. She is responsible for overseeing all operations at the 952-bed hospital, which has been named by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas for nine straight years and has also been named to the publication’s prestigious “Honor Roll” of America’s best 20 hospitals four times. In her role as chief innovation officer, Roberta is responsible for advancing and expanding Houston Methodist’s digital innovation platforms, including telemedicine, artificial intelligence and big data.
Prior to joining Houston Methodist, Roberta worked as director of business development for Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, as a consultant and project manager to several academic medical centers for APM/Computer Sciences Corporation, and for CMS (HCFA).
Roberta earned a Masters in Health Science from Johns Hopkins University and an honors undergraduate degree from Barnard College at Columbia University. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Roberta is involved in many non-profit organizations such as Lifegift OPO, Robert M Beren Academy and the UOS Synagogue, Young Survival Coalition and many breast cancer organizations. Roberta has been recognized nationally for her professional and non-profit work.
Larry Shaffer
Senior VP, Marketing & Business Development
Insperity
Bio
Larry Shaffer is the Sr. Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Insperity. He resides in Boerne, TX with his wife Leigh (pronounced Lee). Married 37 years.
Larry Shaffer has over 27 years’ experience in the HR services industry. He joined Insperity over 20 years ago in 1999 as a sales representative and has filled several roles including District Sales Manager; General Manager of the Houston Service Region, Vice President of MidMarket Service Operations, Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development and his current position of Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development.
Larry is a volunteer for the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and is on the Board of Trustees with the Star of Hope, a Houston-based non-profit supporting the city’s homeless population.
Larry earned a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Christian College, Fullerton, CA and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in finance and accounting, Regis University, Denver, CO.
Other tidbits:
- Larry has traveled to Africa five times to provide leadership training to Malawi’s Christian community and local pastors.
-Larry grew up in Seattle, WA and has lived in Florida, Georgia and California before settling in Texas 18 years ago.
Insperity
Bio
Larry Shaffer is the Sr. Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Insperity. He resides in Boerne, TX with his wife Leigh (pronounced Lee). Married 37 years.
Larry Shaffer has over 27 years’ experience in the HR services industry. He joined Insperity over 20 years ago in 1999 as a sales representative and has filled several roles including District Sales Manager; General Manager of the Houston Service Region, Vice President of MidMarket Service Operations, Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development and his current position of Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development.
Larry is a volunteer for the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and is on the Board of Trustees with the Star of Hope, a Houston-based non-profit supporting the city’s homeless population.
Larry earned a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Christian College, Fullerton, CA and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in finance and accounting, Regis University, Denver, CO.
Other tidbits:
- Larry has traveled to Africa five times to provide leadership training to Malawi’s Christian community and local pastors.
-Larry grew up in Seattle, WA and has lived in Florida, Georgia and California before settling in Texas 18 years ago.
Anup Sharma
Senior VP, Global Business Services
LyondellBasell
Bio
Anup Sharma is senior vice president, Global Business Services for LyondellBasell, one of the world’s largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies. In this role he is focused on advancing the competitiveness of LyondellBasell globally, building first-quartile commercial and operational capabilities, and the next-generation of global talent. He is also leading a company-wide structured approach to differential value creation through continuous improvement, digital technologies and strategic partnerships across the value-chain.
Sharma leads a business group comprised of four global pillars - Procurement, Digital, IT and cyber-security. The GBS team is accountable for value capture across all business segments and functions, partnering to deliver on our sustainability ambition, and leveraging digital at scale.
Sharma’s career spans over more than 25 years as a senior strategy and operating executive with a focus on breakthrough innovation, driving operational excellence and leading enterprise-wide digital transformation. He brings deep energy and manufacturing industry domain, broad experience in international business and global M&A and expertise in building high performing global teams. Prior to this position, Sharma was with General Electric in a variety of executive positions, including vice president & corporate officer. In his most recent role, Sharma was responsible for driving company-wide digital solutions to accelerate customer outcomes, revenue and productivity. He also held a variety of technology executive positions throughout the company’s diverse operations including chief information officer (CIO) for GE Oil & Gas, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and GE Energy Installation & Field Services.
Sharma holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information science and business management from Huntington University in Indiana, is a graduate of GE’s Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP) and a certified Six sigma master black belt. He serves on the Council of Overseers at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is a member of the executive advisory board for AspenTech, and is the 2021 board of directors chair for the March of Dimes, Houston.
LyondellBasell
Bio
Anup Sharma is senior vice president, Global Business Services for LyondellBasell, one of the world’s largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies. In this role he is focused on advancing the competitiveness of LyondellBasell globally, building first-quartile commercial and operational capabilities, and the next-generation of global talent. He is also leading a company-wide structured approach to differential value creation through continuous improvement, digital technologies and strategic partnerships across the value-chain.
Sharma leads a business group comprised of four global pillars - Procurement, Digital, IT and cyber-security. The GBS team is accountable for value capture across all business segments and functions, partnering to deliver on our sustainability ambition, and leveraging digital at scale.
Sharma’s career spans over more than 25 years as a senior strategy and operating executive with a focus on breakthrough innovation, driving operational excellence and leading enterprise-wide digital transformation. He brings deep energy and manufacturing industry domain, broad experience in international business and global M&A and expertise in building high performing global teams. Prior to this position, Sharma was with General Electric in a variety of executive positions, including vice president & corporate officer. In his most recent role, Sharma was responsible for driving company-wide digital solutions to accelerate customer outcomes, revenue and productivity. He also held a variety of technology executive positions throughout the company’s diverse operations including chief information officer (CIO) for GE Oil & Gas, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and GE Energy Installation & Field Services.
Sharma holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information science and business management from Huntington University in Indiana, is a graduate of GE’s Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP) and a certified Six sigma master black belt. He serves on the Council of Overseers at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is a member of the executive advisory board for AspenTech, and is the 2021 board of directors chair for the March of Dimes, Houston.
Kristy Simonette
Senior Vice President of Strategic Services and CIO
Camden Property Trust
Bio
Kristy Simonette is Senior Vice President of Strategic Services and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Kristy is responsible for information technology, marketing and Camden’s Contact Center. Before joining Camden, Kristy was director of sales and customer service for Ashford.com, an e-commerce company that offers luxury goods and corporate gifts. Prior to Ashford.com, Kristy spent three (3) years implementing, training and managing support for SAP at Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) and nine (9) years at a multi-family management company, where she worked on site and in the corporate offices as an internal auditor, technical trainer and help desk manager.
Kristy holds a bachelor’s degree of Business Administration from Schreiner University.
Camden Property Trust, an S&P 400 Company. As one of the largest multifamily real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the nation, Camden specializes in several disciplines within the residential real estate industry. We provide expertise in the ownership, development and management of apartment home communities; in the acquisition, disposition and redevelopment of properties; and in consulting, building and construction services for third party clients.
As of December 31, 2020, Camden owned interests in and operated 167 properties containing 56,850 apartment homes across the United States. Camden has been named by FORTUNE Magazine for the thirteenth consecutive year as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America.
Camden Property Trust
Bio
Kristy Simonette is Senior Vice President of Strategic Services and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Kristy is responsible for information technology, marketing and Camden’s Contact Center. Before joining Camden, Kristy was director of sales and customer service for Ashford.com, an e-commerce company that offers luxury goods and corporate gifts. Prior to Ashford.com, Kristy spent three (3) years implementing, training and managing support for SAP at Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) and nine (9) years at a multi-family management company, where she worked on site and in the corporate offices as an internal auditor, technical trainer and help desk manager.
Kristy holds a bachelor’s degree of Business Administration from Schreiner University.
Camden Property Trust, an S&P 400 Company. As one of the largest multifamily real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the nation, Camden specializes in several disciplines within the residential real estate industry. We provide expertise in the ownership, development and management of apartment home communities; in the acquisition, disposition and redevelopment of properties; and in consulting, building and construction services for third party clients.
As of December 31, 2020, Camden owned interests in and operated 167 properties containing 56,850 apartment homes across the United States. Camden has been named by FORTUNE Magazine for the thirteenth consecutive year as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America.
Allison Thacker
President
Rice Management Company
Bio
Allison K. Thacker joined Rice University in 2011 as President of the Rice Management Company with the responsibility of managing a $6.5 billion endowment fund and the University’s $957 million of debt. Prior to joining Rice University, Ms. Thacker spent 11 years with RS Investments, a San Francisco-based investment firm specializing in public equities. At RS Investments, Ms. Thacker held roles including Portfolio Manager, Managing Director and Research Analyst. In the earlier portion of her career, Ms. Thacker served as a Summer Analyst at Putnam Investments and as a Financial Analyst in the energy investment banking group at Merrill Lynch & Co. She is a member of the KIPP Houston Executive Board, with 24 public charter schools serving 12,500 students in Houston, a board member for the Houston Ballet Board of Trustees, a board member for Black Stone Minerals, Houston Endowment Investment Committee member and a member of YPO. Ms. Thacker is a graduate of Harvard Business School where she received an M.B.A. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with honors from Rice University.
Rice Management Company
Bio
Allison K. Thacker joined Rice University in 2011 as President of the Rice Management Company with the responsibility of managing a $6.5 billion endowment fund and the University’s $957 million of debt. Prior to joining Rice University, Ms. Thacker spent 11 years with RS Investments, a San Francisco-based investment firm specializing in public equities. At RS Investments, Ms. Thacker held roles including Portfolio Manager, Managing Director and Research Analyst. In the earlier portion of her career, Ms. Thacker served as a Summer Analyst at Putnam Investments and as a Financial Analyst in the energy investment banking group at Merrill Lynch & Co. She is a member of the KIPP Houston Executive Board, with 24 public charter schools serving 12,500 students in Houston, a board member for the Houston Ballet Board of Trustees, a board member for Black Stone Minerals, Houston Endowment Investment Committee member and a member of YPO. Ms. Thacker is a graduate of Harvard Business School where she received an M.B.A. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with honors from Rice University.
Vanessa Wyche
Deputy Director
Johnson Space Center, NASA
Bio
Vanessa E. Wyche is deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), an organization of nearly 10,000 civil service and contractor employees in Houston and White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She assists with leadership of a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including NASA’s astronauts, Mission Control, development and operation of human spacecraft in low-Earth orbit and plans for human missions to the Moon and Mars.Prior to her position as deputy director, Wyche served as the director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate at JSC where she provided executive guidance and direction of a multi-disciplined organization to enable human and robotic exploration of deep space. Wyche previously served as acting deputy director of JSC from September 2017 to February 2018.A native of South Carolina, Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University. Before joining JSC in 1989, she worked for the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C. Throughout the span of her career with NASA, she has held several other distinguished leadership positions including: assistant director of JSC; flight manager of several missions of the retired Space Shuttle Program, executive officer in the Office of the NASA Administrator and led center-level technical and program organizations. A strong supporter of Innovation and Inclusion (I&I) at JSC, Wyche has served as a member of JSC’s I&I Council and co-executive sponsor of “Emerge,” an employee resource group for early career employees. She advocates mentoring and is a passionate promoter of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).Wyche serves on multiple boards, including chair of Space Center Houston, and advisory board member of Houston Exponential, SpaceCom and the NASA College Scholarship Foundation.She has received numerous honors from NASA, notably, two Outstanding Leadership Medals, two Achievement Medals, and is a 2014 Women at NASA awardee. She has been recognized externally as a national “2016 Women Worth Watching” honoree by Profiles in Diversity Journal, a 2017 “Inspiring Woman from South Carolina” by Coastal Carolina University, and was inducted into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists at Clemson University in 2019.
Johnson Space Center, NASA
Bio
Vanessa E. Wyche is deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), an organization of nearly 10,000 civil service and contractor employees in Houston and White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She assists with leadership of a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including NASA’s astronauts, Mission Control, development and operation of human spacecraft in low-Earth orbit and plans for human missions to the Moon and Mars.Prior to her position as deputy director, Wyche served as the director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate at JSC where she provided executive guidance and direction of a multi-disciplined organization to enable human and robotic exploration of deep space. Wyche previously served as acting deputy director of JSC from September 2017 to February 2018.A native of South Carolina, Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University. Before joining JSC in 1989, she worked for the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C. Throughout the span of her career with NASA, she has held several other distinguished leadership positions including: assistant director of JSC; flight manager of several missions of the retired Space Shuttle Program, executive officer in the Office of the NASA Administrator and led center-level technical and program organizations. A strong supporter of Innovation and Inclusion (I&I) at JSC, Wyche has served as a member of JSC’s I&I Council and co-executive sponsor of “Emerge,” an employee resource group for early career employees. She advocates mentoring and is a passionate promoter of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).Wyche serves on multiple boards, including chair of Space Center Houston, and advisory board member of Houston Exponential, SpaceCom and the NASA College Scholarship Foundation.She has received numerous honors from NASA, notably, two Outstanding Leadership Medals, two Achievement Medals, and is a 2014 Women at NASA awardee. She has been recognized externally as a national “2016 Women Worth Watching” honoree by Profiles in Diversity Journal, a 2017 “Inspiring Woman from South Carolina” by Coastal Carolina University, and was inducted into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists at Clemson University in 2019.
Ecosystem Developers
Susan Davenport
Senior Vice President, Economic Development
Greater Houston Partnership
Bio
Susan Davenport serves as Senior Vice President, Economic Development at the Greater Houston Partnership. The Partnership is a 1,100-member business partnership encompassing the 11-county greater Houston region. In this role, Susan leads the organization’s domestic and international economic development efforts and provides assistance to companies considering expanding, relocating or investing in the greater Houston region.
Prior to her work in Houston, Susan served as the President/CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, a five-star accredited Chamber with approximately 1,300 member companies and organizations. Prior to her role as President/CEO she served for two years as the Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development. From 2013 through 2018, the Gainesville Chamber announced the creation of more than 1,100 new jobs and more than $400 million in new capital investment.
Susan came to Gainesville in 2013 after spending 13 years with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, most recently as Senior Vice President of Global Tech Strategies. While there she served as a key team member for the Opportunity Austin strategy which created over 174,000 new jobs and enhanced regional payrolls by $8.7 billion over an 8-year period from 2004-2012. During her tenure in Austin she developed and executed Austin’s regional business retention and expansion program, Portfolio Austin, where over 4,800 regional retention visits were undertaken with 520 regional expansions tracked. She also developed and managed the Central Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, which resulted in assisting 34 companies accessing $60 million in funding with an additional $30 million for local research and university projects. Susan also developed the Greater Austin Technology Partnership and Austin TechLive, which engaged over 100 regional technology executives in various economic development activities and supported entrepreneurism through a downtown co-working technology hub partner.
Susan received a Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The University of Texas Medical Branch. She is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is an active member of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the International Economic Development Institute.
Greater Houston Partnership
Bio
Susan Davenport serves as Senior Vice President, Economic Development at the Greater Houston Partnership. The Partnership is a 1,100-member business partnership encompassing the 11-county greater Houston region. In this role, Susan leads the organization’s domestic and international economic development efforts and provides assistance to companies considering expanding, relocating or investing in the greater Houston region.
Prior to her work in Houston, Susan served as the President/CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, a five-star accredited Chamber with approximately 1,300 member companies and organizations. Prior to her role as President/CEO she served for two years as the Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development. From 2013 through 2018, the Gainesville Chamber announced the creation of more than 1,100 new jobs and more than $400 million in new capital investment.
Susan came to Gainesville in 2013 after spending 13 years with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, most recently as Senior Vice President of Global Tech Strategies. While there she served as a key team member for the Opportunity Austin strategy which created over 174,000 new jobs and enhanced regional payrolls by $8.7 billion over an 8-year period from 2004-2012. During her tenure in Austin she developed and executed Austin’s regional business retention and expansion program, Portfolio Austin, where over 4,800 regional retention visits were undertaken with 520 regional expansions tracked. She also developed and managed the Central Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, which resulted in assisting 34 companies accessing $60 million in funding with an additional $30 million for local research and university projects. Susan also developed the Greater Austin Technology Partnership and Austin TechLive, which engaged over 100 regional technology executives in various economic development activities and supported entrepreneurism through a downtown co-working technology hub partner.
Susan received a Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The University of Texas Medical Branch. She is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is an active member of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the International Economic Development Institute.
Juliana Garaizar
Launch Director
Greentown Labs Houston
Bio
Juliana is the Launch Director of Greentown Labs Houston. A Kauffman Fellow and Board Member of the Angel Capital Association, Juliana is a Lead Investor of the Portfolia Rising America Fund, Consumer Fund and Rising Tide Fund. She is the President of the Business Angel Minority Association and an Advisory Board Member of the Cougar Venture Fund and the Houston Diversity Fund. Juliana was the Director of the Texas Medical Center Venture Fund and the Managing Director of the Houston Angel Network. She was the Manager of the Sophia Business Angels network in the French Riviera and of Antipolis Innovation Campus, as well as Project Manager of several International Projects funded by the European Commission. Previously, Juliana worked for 5 years in Singapore: first as an International.
Trade Consultant for the Trade Commission of Spain in a broad range of industry sectors and then as a Project Manager for the Asia Technology Office of Citigroup, leading projects at international level.
Juliana obtained an MBA at the London Business School, specializing in Entrepreneurship.
Greentown Labs Houston
Bio
Juliana is the Launch Director of Greentown Labs Houston. A Kauffman Fellow and Board Member of the Angel Capital Association, Juliana is a Lead Investor of the Portfolia Rising America Fund, Consumer Fund and Rising Tide Fund. She is the President of the Business Angel Minority Association and an Advisory Board Member of the Cougar Venture Fund and the Houston Diversity Fund. Juliana was the Director of the Texas Medical Center Venture Fund and the Managing Director of the Houston Angel Network. She was the Manager of the Sophia Business Angels network in the French Riviera and of Antipolis Innovation Campus, as well as Project Manager of several International Projects funded by the European Commission. Previously, Juliana worked for 5 years in Singapore: first as an International.
Trade Consultant for the Trade Commission of Spain in a broad range of industry sectors and then as a Project Manager for the Asia Technology Office of Citigroup, leading projects at international level.
Juliana obtained an MBA at the London Business School, specializing in Entrepreneurship.
Aleece Hobson
Venture Partner
HX Venture Fund
Bio
Aleece Hobson is a Venture Partner leading the activation efforts at HX Venture Fund in Houston, Texas. She is responsible for connecting VCs, Houston startups, and the firm’s Limited Partners in ways that benefit Houston’s startup ecosystem. Aleece comes to HX Venture Fund with a background in the VC fund-of-funds industry, serving as the Investor Relations Manager at Weathergage Capital, a venture capital fund-of-funds managing approximately $1 billion in venture partnership commitments. She also has over 10 years of business strategy and development experience with an extensive involvement in event planning, relationship building, and strategic communication. Prior to Aleece’s venture fund-of-fund experience, she was a consultant at Hollinden | marketers + strategists and a Program Coordinator at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Aleece holds an MBA from Texas Woman’s University and a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University. She is currently serving as the Director of Special Events Marketing for AMA Houston.
HX Venture Fund
Bio
Aleece Hobson is a Venture Partner leading the activation efforts at HX Venture Fund in Houston, Texas. She is responsible for connecting VCs, Houston startups, and the firm’s Limited Partners in ways that benefit Houston’s startup ecosystem. Aleece comes to HX Venture Fund with a background in the VC fund-of-funds industry, serving as the Investor Relations Manager at Weathergage Capital, a venture capital fund-of-funds managing approximately $1 billion in venture partnership commitments. She also has over 10 years of business strategy and development experience with an extensive involvement in event planning, relationship building, and strategic communication. Prior to Aleece’s venture fund-of-fund experience, she was a consultant at Hollinden | marketers + strategists and a Program Coordinator at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Aleece holds an MBA from Texas Woman’s University and a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University. She is currently serving as the Director of Special Events Marketing for AMA Houston.
Dr. Stephen Klineberg
Founding Director
Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Bio
Dr. Stephen Klineberg has been shaping local thought on the ongoing trends in the Houston metropolitan region for almost forty years. As the director of the annual “Kinder Houston Area Survey” (1982-2020), he has tracked the economic outlooks, demographic patterns, experiences, and beliefs of area residents during a period of remarkable change. The book exploring the national implications of the first 38 years of this research, entitled Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America, was published in June 2020 by Simon & Schuster. Klineberg is the recipient of twelve major teaching awards and a much sought-after speaker in the Houston community and beyond. He is a graduate of Haverford College, with an MA from the University of Paris, and a PhD from Harvard. He and his wife Margaret have lived in Houston since the early 1970s; they have two children and five grandchildren.
Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Bio
Dr. Stephen Klineberg has been shaping local thought on the ongoing trends in the Houston metropolitan region for almost forty years. As the director of the annual “Kinder Houston Area Survey” (1982-2020), he has tracked the economic outlooks, demographic patterns, experiences, and beliefs of area residents during a period of remarkable change. The book exploring the national implications of the first 38 years of this research, entitled Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America, was published in June 2020 by Simon & Schuster. Klineberg is the recipient of twelve major teaching awards and a much sought-after speaker in the Houston community and beyond. He is a graduate of Haverford College, with an MA from the University of Paris, and a PhD from Harvard. He and his wife Margaret have lived in Houston since the early 1970s; they have two children and five grandchildren.
Josh Pherigo
Research Director, Data Analytics
Greater Houston Partnership
Greater Houston Partnership