How did you become interested in working as an investor?

I was always interested in how finance worked. I think that was the starting point – taking business courses, joining clubs and learning more about the world of investing. It was not something I knew much about growing up, so I wanted to learn and really understand it. After working at Citi and getting even more exposure to equity investing, I knew it was something I wanted to do.  

What role does entrepreneurship play in your career? 

I speak with company founders every day in my current role. I have a strong appreciation for entrepreneurs – their drive, work ethic and creativity. 

Can you describe a time you took a risk? Did it pay off? If not, what lesson did you learn?

I decided to move to the west coast because I wanted to focus on technology in my career. All of my family and friends at the time were in the NY/CT area. I love living in SF and this move ended up leading to my current role. 

How did UConn prepare you for where you’re at today? UConn gave me the building blocks for a lot of the work I do today. The classes, especially accounting, were critical. SMF, UCG and other groups helped me prepare technically for a lot of work that I do. The UConn Alumni network has also been key. 

Tell us about your continued involvement with UConn. Why is it important to give back as a mentor? 

I really enjoy speaking with students and being available to give them advice, opportunity ideas or just listen. I participated in the Werth Mentoring program, am a mentor in the UConn Consulting Group and was an advisor for one of their recent projects. I also act as a mentor/advisory member for Hillside Ventures. I went to an insurtech conference for work and got to meet some UConn students in person – it was great to see them get this experiential learning! 

Describe a professional moment you are most proud of, and why? 

Pitching at a client meeting – it was still very early on in my career, and I had the opportunity to travel with seniors and meet potential IPO clients in person. I was proud that my managers trusted to put me in front of the client.  

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why?

Excel! (Just kidding that’s a joke). I am a big fan of videos and guides that teach you how to do things. Example (Ezra Okon – UConn alum) has YouTube videos on financial modeling that walk you through every step. Also, LinkedIn has been very important in my current role in building relationships with companies and founders.  

What’s your favorite UConn memory?

Cornell Stock pitch competition – we drove up to Boston. 

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Passionate about human rights/ESG improvement efforts/international relations. I am also a big fiction reader. 

What sparked your interest in a career in finance?
I always enjoyed working in fast paced, constantly changing environments and working with people from varying backgrounds and perspectives. 
I found interest in working with companies as they grow and fund their business.

Why is entrepreneurship and innovation important to you? 
Constantly bettering myself and hard work have always been important to me, personally and professionally – entrepreneurship allows you to directly see the results of the work put in.

Can you describe a time you took a risk? Did it pay off? If not, what lesson did you learn?
Launching our fund at the end of last year. Going from a large, established firm with robust infrastructure to a small start-up team has been a tremendous learning experience. Although early days, it has already paid off from a personal development perspective. 

How did UConn prepare you for where you’re at today? 
The networking and alumni base I was exposed to while at UConn allowed me to truly refine my interests and equipped me with the skillset to be successful in this industry.

Tell us a little about your continued involvement with UConn. Why is it important to give back as a mentor? 
Mentors and alumni I met during my time at UConn were critical in shaping my path post graduating. Being a mentor allows me to give back and help guide undergraduate students as they realize their career ambitions.  

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why? 
The best resource is people in your industry of interest and your peers. Gaining knowledge and varying perspectives is the best way to prepare you for success, particularly at the start of your career. 

What’s your favorite UConn memory?
Watching the (multiple) basketball championships on campus. 

What are you passionate about outside of work?
Activities with friends such as golfing, skiing, and fishing. I also enjoy reading and listening to podcasts.

Why did you choose to work for your employer and how has the experience been?

When I was leaving investment banking, I knew I wanted to go into private equity. PE was attractive to me because you are the principle on the transaction and are truly partnering with the founders or management teams. This alignment of interests and ability to have a true impact on companies sounded exciting. Palladin had a long-standing track record of investing in consumer businesses while operating with a lean team which meant I’d be getting a lot of experience in a sector that has been experiencing dramatic changes.

How did UConn prepare you for the field you are in today?

UConn gave me a good general business background that has been built upon through work experience. While academics are important, UConn also provided a great social setting whether it be on-campus, sporting or other events. Many people believe that a 4.0 GPA will result in an “easy” job search but interviewers are increasingly looking for people they like and can work long hours with.

What’s your favorite UConn memory?

I look back on my UConn experience very favorably so it’s hard to narrow it down to one. Two immediately come to mind:

• 2014 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships
• Delivering the final presentation for our first project as the UConn Consulting Group; this really solidified the legitimacy of something that I spent a lot of time pursuing

What advice do you have for today’s students or aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be proactive. Nobody is going to hand you the job you want just because you have a good GPA and went to UConn. You need to do more – join clubs, network and utilize the resources around you.

What’s next for you?

While I can’t speak in specifics, my company is at a pretty pivotal time in its lifecycle and there are a few large initiatives that should come to fruition over the next 6-12 months. I’m also excited to be working with the Werth Institute to enhance outcomes for students interested in non-traditional career paths. As someone who had to jump through a lot of hoops, I’m hoping we can make it a bit easier for the next generation of UConn students.

Do you have any personal or professional goals you’d like to reach?

I don’t set specific goals such as obtain “X” job title or anything like that – at least not anymore. I like to stay flexible and setting goals sometimes inhibits your ability to think outside the box and be creative. Goal setting works in moderation. To answer the question - I want to gain more experience in my current field and see where it takes me.

What’s your favorite podcast at the moment?

Given the shift to work-from-home over the last year, I have unfortunately significantly cut down on my podcasts. My favorites to listen to on my commute were The Joe Rogan Experience, Stuff You Should Know and How I Built This.

How did you become interested in Venture Capital?

I became interested in venture capital after working at a startup accelerator with hundreds of founders and falling in love with the entrepreneurship and innovation space. After undergrad, I was recruited to work at MassChallenge in a partnership and program management role where I ran entrepreneurial boot camps, and managed relationships and research with corporations, foundations, government, and VCs. Surrounded by hundreds of brilliant problem-solvers working across industries, I quickly became enamored by the fast-paced, invigorating startup environment. I was energized by their unbridled optimism and creativity.

Despite loving working in this environment, I became disenchanted while supporting initiatives to help underrepresented entrepreneurs. Industry statistics consistently show how Black, Latinx, and female founders get less than 10% of VC dollars annually. This group consistently is underfunded and over-mentored. As much as I loved supporting programs and partnerships for this demographic, I was deeply disappointed in how accelerators and incubators fell short of providing actual dollars to overlooked founders.

After MassChallenge, I spent several years in Corporate Innovation and Brand Strategy Consulting to upskill myself. I hoped to join an early-stage startup or VC in a platform role one day. When Justin Kang reached out to me during the Summer of 2020 about starting Visible Hands, I knew I had to get involved. Visible Hands is different from any venture capital firm or accelerator that I have encountered. Visible Hands is a venture capital firm with 14-week, virtual-first accelerator on a mission to highlight and invest in the limitless potential of overlooked founders. At the earliest stages of company-building, we provide meaningful funding, personalized support, and social capital, helping our founders build exceptional technology startups. I love being a part of building it from the ground up and learning how to be an early-stage investor!

Why are entrepreneurship and innovation important to you?

Entrepreneurship and innovation represent the best of creativity and problem-solving to me. The best entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs that I meet are solving real problems validated by their customers or users. Additionally, they are not afraid to approach an old problem in a novel way. It’s intellectually stimulating and inspires me to always challenge my biases.

Furthermore, I see entrepreneurship and innovation as transformative means for economic mobility. Entrepreneurship and innovation can enable folks to generate generational wealth while working on issues that matter to them. Coming from a humble beginning, I've experienced firsthand how working in entrepreneurship and innovation allowed me to financially and professionally make leaps that I never thought might be possible.

Can you describe a time you took a risk? Did it pay off? If not, what lesson did you learn?

I am a pretty risk-friendly person (which probably explains my attraction to early-stage startups). For example, I moved to Boston without a job out of college and gave myself two months to figure it out. Additionally, joining MassChallenge while having no formal background or education in startups or business development was a risk that paid off as I learned about my passion for working with startups. Furthermore, joining Visible Hands in 2020 as a volunteer and going full-time before securing the funding for my specific role was a risk. I am fortunate that many of the risks that I have taken throughout my career have paid off. I’ve learned to bet on myself and trust my judgment in taking calculated risks.

How did UConn prepare you for where you are at today?

At UConn, my advisors and professors always encouraged me to pursue all my intellectual curiosities. This meant being able to audit classes in the business school, learning how to properly do research, or studying social entrepreneurship during the summer in Guatemala. My education at UConn taught me to take an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems. I learned to consider different points of view. I learned how to challenge my biases through my student involvement with organizations like the Asian American Cultural Center and UConn Empower. I am where I am today because I am insatiably curious and learned how to work with people from different backgrounds.

Tell us a little about your continued involvement with UConn. Why is it important to give back as a mentor?

I am the first person in my family to graduate with a college degree. Although I excelled in high school, I was not sure how I’d be able to afford college. UConn was one of the first organizations to believe in my potential. I went to school on a full-ride merit scholarship. I was deeply supported in my personal and professional journey by mentors at UConn. It’s important to me to give back as a mentor and pay it forward.

Describe a professional moment you are most proud of, and why?

I am most proud of the relationships that I’ve built with founders who I’ve worked with for the past six years that are still finding value in the relationship we have today. There are founders I’ve stayed in touch with since I started at MassChallenge where we chat periodically, or they reach out for advice. We usually chat about issues concerning go-to-market, partnerships, or ways that they can grow their team. One such company recently reached out to see if I’d be interested in joining their executive team. Although it wasn’t the best match, I was so honored to be considered!

Which business tool or resource do you recommend for entreprenuers, and why?

Entrepreneurship can be an arduous and lonely journey, but it doesn’t need to be. Having access to a community of other people who can share their learnings and understand the challenges of launching a company is powerful. One of the best values of our Visible Hands accelerator is the tight-knit cohort full of entrepreneurs who are always looking to support and learn from each other. I recommend that entrepreneurs seek out online or IRL communities like OnDeck, Founders Network, SCORE, etc.

What is your favorite UConn memory?

My favorite UConn memory has to be starting and building a student organization with my closest friends and classmates called UConn Empower. What began as conversations in Buckley turned into an organization that raised $15K, involved hundreds of students on campus, and did project-based consulting work with three non-profits in India, Cameroon, and the Dominican Republic. I learned so much about team building, marketing, community, and how to build programs and products that were useful to our users. I never considered it as "innovation" or "entrepreneurship" at the time because I was having so much fun. I learned a great deal about what it takes to build something.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I am passionate about community, DEI, health and wellness, and human rights. I just had a baby two months ago and am enjoying spending my maternity leave bonding with my baby girl!

Tell us about Luma and how it came to be.

Going into my 2nd semester of junior year at UConn, I found a venture investing platform that I would be interning for in the summer, where I would be doing venture scouting. I wanted to come in prepared, so I started early making a list of young startups that I could reach out to when beginning my internship. I was browsing Kickstarter to find companies early in their development, and I came across a campaign for a product called Luma Bottle. I was blown away, because I had been fascinated by the idea of innovating the water bottle industry since I was a freshman in high school, and Luma Bottle was everything I’d been fantasizing about. It was the first company I put on my list, and then the first company I scheduled a call with when starting my internship.

When I got on that call, I was blown away to learn that it was a project led by another student my age across the country at BYU. There was no product, no capital, and no real team other than some friends of Willy’s at BYU helping out. We got to know each other well over the course of the next year and a half, touching base regularly as Willy worked towards getting the product concept built. In March of 2021, we were catching up after not speaking for a few months. He filled me in on what was going on. He was able to finally develop the product and fulfill pre-orders, but there was no direction after that. There was no capital, low inventory of a product that still needed work, nobody else working on it, and no clear path forward. Willy was also still finishing up school and working full time at a company in Utah.

I encouraged Willy to keep pushing forward, and helped put together a plan to raise capital, fund product improvements, build out a brand strategy, etc. It was clear that Willy and I had opposite skillsets, and we decided to team up and start a company. Less than 5 months later, we formed Luma Hydration Inc and closed our first investment of $75,000.

How is Luma using business to make a positive impact on the world?

Luma is a mission driven company dedicated to eliminating the use of plastic-packaged water. We’re combining meaningful innovation, premium quality, and impeccable design to build a sustainable hydration experience that’s healthier for our bodies and healthier for our planet.

Why are entrepreneurship and innovation important to you?

Entrepreneurship and innovation are important to me for more reasons to count, but I think the most important thing is that it gives me the opportunity to operate with complete creative freedom, which is what makes me happy. I feel fulfilled and feel like there’s nothing holding me back from reaching my full potential.

What did you learn from your experience at UConn that has helped you most in your career?

My time at UConn was an invaluable self-discovery experience. I learned more about myself in my 4 years at UConn than I could have ever imagined. I gained a better understanding of what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I think I became much more self-aware.

Were there any connections that you made at UConn through the Werth Institute (staff, alumni, faculty, peers, etc.) that helped you beyond graduating?

I’ve made sure to stay well connected with David Noble. He was the one professor I had at UConn that truly inspired me, that I looked up to and admired.

I had also met Ryan Gresh (Class of 2009) during my time at UConn. He’s become someone I consider to be a great friend, and an incredible mentor. No matter what it is I’m going through, he’s someone I know I can always lean on for advice and has been guiding me through my entrepreneurial journey since day 1.

Are you still connected with UConn in any way and if yes, how so (college friends, mentoring current students, football games, etc.)?

Yes! My friends from UConn remain some of my closest friends and being a die-hard UConn basketball fan since my earliest memories, I attend as many home games as I can. I’m also participating in UConn’s summer fellowship program with CCEI.

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why?

Twitter! I can’t advocate enough for young professionals to use the platform more. To me, it’s a more authentic LinkedIn. I’ve built relationships with countless mentors, investors, founders, etc. from Twitter.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far since graduating?

When you leave college and step out into the “real-world,” the “guardrails” that have been in place since we were born suddenly disappear. It can be both intimidating and exciting. I felt like I could do anything I wanted. The biggest lesson I learned was to take advantage of that feeling.

I think a lot of people find themselves getting into jobs and careers that don’t really excite them, but it’s just what they feel like they’re “supposed” to do. I’ve learned to dismiss the status-quo and to do what makes me happy. We have limited time, and I don’t want to waste it.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

"Do what makes you happy".

It kind of builds off the lesson I just mentioned above, but I think it’s super important and it’s always on my mind. Finding happiness is the ultimate goal, and happiness looks different for everyone. For me, I like to create things. I like to make my own decisions, I like to think big, I like to live and work without someone telling me what I can and can’t do. Nobody wants to live with regrets, and I feel like I’m living regret-free, because I’m doing what makes me happy. Out of college, I had a great job in the city I wanted to live in my whole life, making great money, working with people I liked, but I didn’t truly feel happy because I felt like I was limited in what I was allowed to do. I left my job, worked on Luma unpaid, drained my bank, moved back home with my mom to stay afloat, and have never been happier. I’m young and can afford to take big risks. If things didn’t work out, I’d at least be doing what I loved. Fortunately, things have gone well 🙂

What did your time at UConn mean to you?

My time at UConn meant so much to me. I grew tremendously as a person, I learned about myself, I built both friendships and professional relationships that will last me a lifetime, and I had as much fun as I ever could have hoped for. I take extreme pride in UConn and hope to remain involved with the university in some way throughout my life.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Golf, football, and UConn basketball!

What is next for you?

Fully focused on scaling Luma with the hope of one day building a generational company.

Why did you choose to work for your employer and how has the experience been?

When I was leaving investment banking, I knew I wanted to go into private equity. PE was attractive to me because you are the principle on the transaction and are truly partnering with the founders or management teams. This alignment of interests and ability to have a true impact on companies sounded exciting. Palladin had a long-standing track record of investing in consumer businesses while operating with a lean team which meant I’d be getting a lot of experience in a sector that has been experiencing dramatic changes.

How did UConn prepare you for the field you are in today?

UConn gave me a good general business background that has been built upon through work experience. While academics are important, UConn also provided a great social setting whether it be on-campus, sporting or other events. Many people believe that a 4.0 GPA will result in an “easy” job search but interviewers are increasingly looking for people they like and can work long hours with.

What’s your favorite UConn memory?

I look back on my UConn experience very favorably so it’s hard to narrow it down to one. Two immediately come to mind:

• 2014 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships
• Delivering the final presentation for our first project as the UConn Consulting Group; this really solidified the legitimacy of something that I spent a lot of time pursuing

What advice do you have for today’s students or aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be proactive. Nobody is going to hand you the job you want just because you have a good GPA and went to UConn. You need to do more – join clubs, network and utilize the resources around you.

What’s next for you?

While I can’t speak in specifics, my company is at a pretty pivotal time in its lifecycle and there are a few large initiatives that should come to fruition over the next 6-12 months. I’m also excited to be working with the Werth Institute to enhance outcomes for students interested in non-traditional career paths. As someone who had to jump through a lot of hoops, I’m hoping we can make it a bit easier for the next generation of UConn students.

Do you have any personal or professional goals you’d like to reach?

I don’t set specific goals such as obtain “X” job title or anything like that – at least not anymore. I like to stay flexible and setting goals sometimes inhibits your ability to think outside the box and be creative. Goal setting works in moderation. To answer the question - I want to gain more experience in my current field and see where it takes me.

What’s your favorite podcast at the moment?

Given the shift to work-from-home over the last year, I have unfortunately significantly cut down on my podcasts. My favorites to listen to on my commute were The Joe Rogan Experience, Stuff You Should Know and How I Built This.

Tell us about Luma and how it came to be.

Going into my 2nd semester of junior year at UConn, I found a venture investing platform that I would be interning for in the summer, where I would be doing venture scouting. I wanted to come in prepared, so I started early making a list of young startups that I could reach out to when beginning my internship. I was browsing Kickstarter to find companies early in their development, and I came across a campaign for a product called Luma Bottle. I was blown away, because I had been fascinated by the idea of innovating the water bottle industry since I was a freshman in high school, and Luma Bottle was everything I’d been fantasizing about. It was the first company I put on my list, and then the first company I scheduled a call with when starting my internship.

When I got on that call, I was blown away to learn that it was a project led by another student my age across the country at BYU. There was no product, no capital, and no real team other than some friends of Willy’s at BYU helping out. We got to know each other well over the course of the next year and a half, touching base regularly as Willy worked towards getting the product concept built. In March of 2021, we were catching up after not speaking for a few months. He filled me in on what was going on. He was able to finally develop the product and fulfill pre-orders, but there was no direction after that. There was no capital, low inventory of a product that still needed work, nobody else working on it, and no clear path forward. Willy was also still finishing up school and working full time at a company in Utah.

I encouraged Willy to keep pushing forward, and helped put together a plan to raise capital, fund product improvements, build out a brand strategy, etc. It was clear that Willy and I had opposite skillsets, and we decided to team up and start a company. Less than 5 months later, we formed Luma Hydration Inc and closed our first investment of $75,000.

How is Luma using business to make a positive impact on the world?

Luma is a mission driven company dedicated to eliminating the use of plastic-packaged water. We’re combining meaningful innovation, premium quality, and impeccable design to build a sustainable hydration experience that’s healthier for our bodies and healthier for our planet.

Why are entrepreneurship and innovation important to you?

Entrepreneurship and innovation are important to me for more reasons to count, but I think the most important thing is that it gives me the opportunity to operate with complete creative freedom, which is what makes me happy. I feel fulfilled and feel like there’s nothing holding me back from reaching my full potential.

What did you learn from your experience at UConn that has helped you most in your career?

My time at UConn was an invaluable self-discovery experience. I learned more about myself in my 4 years at UConn than I could have ever imagined. I gained a better understanding of what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I think I became much more self-aware.

Were there any connections that you made at UConn through the Werth Institute (staff, alumni, faculty, peers, etc.) that helped you beyond graduating?

I’ve made sure to stay well connected with David Noble. He was the one professor I had at UConn that truly inspired me, that I looked up to and admired.

I had also met Ryan Gresh (Class of 2009) during my time at UConn. He’s become someone I consider to be a great friend, and an incredible mentor. No matter what it is I’m going through, he’s someone I know I can always lean on for advice and has been guiding me through my entrepreneurial journey since day 1.

Are you still connected with UConn in any way and if yes, how so (college friends, mentoring current students, football games, etc.)?

Yes! My friends from UConn remain some of my closest friends and being a die-hard UConn basketball fan since my earliest memories, I attend as many home games as I can. I’m also participating in UConn’s summer fellowship program with CCEI.

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why?

Twitter! I can’t advocate enough for young professionals to use the platform more. To me, it’s a more authentic LinkedIn. I’ve built relationships with countless mentors, investors, founders, etc. from Twitter.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far since graduating?

When you leave college and step out into the “real-world,” the “guardrails” that have been in place since we were born suddenly disappear. It can be both intimidating and exciting. I felt like I could do anything I wanted. The biggest lesson I learned was to take advantage of that feeling.

I think a lot of people find themselves getting into jobs and careers that don’t really excite them, but it’s just what they feel like they’re “supposed” to do. I’ve learned to dismiss the status-quo and to do what makes me happy. We have limited time, and I don’t want to waste it.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

"Do what makes you happy".

It kind of builds off the lesson I just mentioned above, but I think it’s super important and it’s always on my mind. Finding happiness is the ultimate goal, and happiness looks different for everyone. For me, I like to create things. I like to make my own decisions, I like to think big, I like to live and work without someone telling me what I can and can’t do. Nobody wants to live with regrets, and I feel like I’m living regret-free, because I’m doing what makes me happy. Out of college, I had a great job in the city I wanted to live in my whole life, making great money, working with people I liked, but I didn’t truly feel happy because I felt like I was limited in what I was allowed to do. I left my job, worked on Luma unpaid, drained my bank, moved back home with my mom to stay afloat, and have never been happier. I’m young and can afford to take big risks. If things didn’t work out, I’d at least be doing what I loved. Fortunately, things have gone well 🙂

What did your time at UConn mean to you?

My time at UConn meant so much to me. I grew tremendously as a person, I learned about myself, I built both friendships and professional relationships that will last me a lifetime, and I had as much fun as I ever could have hoped for. I take extreme pride in UConn and hope to remain involved with the university in some way throughout my life.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Golf, football, and UConn basketball!

What is next for you?

Fully focused on scaling Luma with the hope of one day building a generational company.