Why are you the Best Candidate for this Role? *

I am the best candidate for this role because I possess the incredibly unique perspective of knowing what it is like to be the most junior person in a multi-billion-dollar corporation as well as the key decision-maker and CEO of a top fashion tech startup in New York City. This means I can say with experience that ego will have no place in how I approach any of the various challenges that can and will arise in our efforts to scale VentureOut. I am not someone who is simply willing to ‘wear many hats’ within a lean organization; I also have the competencies to do so effectively and efficiently, ensuring that all necessary tasks are not simply getting done but are getting done well. While the willingness to get my hands dirty is an integral of my work ethic, I also poses an incredibly high Teachability Index; this means a high willingness to learn and a high willingness to accept change. I don’t know what I don’t know. With my fundamentally Growth Oriented Mindset and a continuous investment in both my EQ and AQ, I’m constantly working to better understand what motivates me, what motivates others, and how to best leverage these insights to create high performance & high output team dynamics.

I will bring unparalleled excellence to this role because I am the personification of VentureOut’s mission. As someone who has spent the last 5 years in the tech startup ecosystem, both in New York and abroad, I’ve seen first-hand the brilliance of innovators and thought leaders from all walks of life, limited only by timing and access to opportunity. I’ve also seen the magic that happens when we connect the right people with right resources and give them the space to create things that matter and further drive the global innovation ecosystem.

During my time as a tech founder in NYC, I remember spending every waking second either attending or preparing for meetups, pitch competitions, networking events, sheworx or startup grind panels, It seemed as though every night had an infinite number of opportunities, any one of which could be ‘the one’ to facilitate that life changing encounter. I found myself beginning to lose steam and it was at this point one of my advisers gave me a homework assignment for the next event: I was to attend that evening’s meet up with the simple objective of facilitating three introductions.

The event I attended that night is marked in my mind as the day I truly understood the concept of collective progress as it related to my life in the tech, startup, and entrepreneurial world. I discovered the intrinsic joy of connecting with a person, understanding their pain points, and identifying opportunities to facilitate symbiotic relationships. It was this experience that solidified my affinity for these types of connections and for bringing people together.  I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to join the VentureOut team & I can’t wait to see the level of impact we’re able to have on the Global Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.