Investment & Inclusion Series
Let’s talk about it! Without honest conversation, meaningful change can’t happen. Our ongoing, data-driven series of “imperfect” panel discussions and Q&A sessions bring speakers from VC & Angel groups together with Diversity and Inclusion (DEI) experts to share actionable steps toward a more equitable funding world.
Exploring the New Majority
We’re talking about the New Majority because it’s time we move away from terms like “underrepresented” or “undervalued.” Why? Those terms are outdated and carry negative connotations that don't accurately describe the changing startup landscape. Shoutout to the incredible work of Melissa Bradley at 1863 Ventures: “looking at demographic data, the New Majority is women and people of color, and those are the groups typically excluded from accelerators and funding.”
This conversation needs you too!
What’s our goal?
We’re changing the narrative on investment and inclusion—beginning with frank conversations and actions to make fundraising and funding accessible to everybody.
This series exists in collaboration with the VC Inclusion Lab of Brown University and explores effective approaches and practices in DEI, Investment and the Future of Fundraising.
Past Speakers
We work with incredible people in the startup and funding community driving positive change.
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Banu Ozkazanc-Pan
Director of Venture Capital Inclusion Lab; Prof at Brown University
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Senofer Mendoza
Founder, General Partner Mendoza Ventures
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Kamal Hassan
Founding Partner, Loyal VC
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Yasmin Cruz Ferrine
General Partner at Visible Hands VC
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Shila Nieves Burney
General Partner at Zane Venture Fund
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Lisa Frusztajer
Investor Portfolia, Investor In Residence at The Capital Network
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Allison Byers
Founder & CEO, Scroobious
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Marie Meslin
Executive Director at The Capital Network & Creator of the Fellowship For Female Founders
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Eli Velazquez
ACA Board Member & Co-Founder at Investors Of Color Network
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Samer Yousif
Chief Of Staff at BLCK VC
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Courtney Scrubbs
Founder, The DAWA Investment Network
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Vonetta Young
Advisor, Investment Readiness + Fund Formation at VY Advisors & Board Member 1863 Ventures
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Malia Lazu
Founder, The Urban Labs & Lecturer at MIT
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David Baboolall
Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company
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Trista Bridges
Principal and Cofounder at Read the Air
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Rohan Arora
Investor & Leadership Board at Diversity VC
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Deborah Frieze
Founder and President of the Boston Impact Initiative
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Dana Kanze
Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour At London Business School
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Heatherjean MacNeil
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategist and Researcher
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Paolo Gaudiano
Co-Founder & President at Aleria Research Corporation
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Toni Shoola
Director of Operations at Aleria Research Corporation
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Stefania Di Bartolomeo
Founder and CEO at Physis Investment
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Johannes Lenhard
Chair & CoFounder - Venture ESG
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Ellen Remmer
Co-Founder, Invest for Better and Senior Partner, The Philanthropic Initiative
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Gina Kirch
Founding Partner at The Venture Collective (TVC)
