Austin, Texas
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Bachelor of Fine Arts: Communications (B.F.A.), Minor in Business Administration
(2006 - 2010)
(2002 - 2006)
2022
Texas Venture Alliance is the state’s largest network featuring the ecosystem of startup support. I started this to work with 30+ leaders in 10+ cities who help amplify venture stories across the state and at the Texas State Capitol. We co-create and co-organize signature events and resources that boost Texas innovation. I’m also the editor and publisher of the Texas Venture Newsletter, a 2x per month statewide newsletter featuring venture activities and resources that reaches nearly 8,000 readers. Sign up and share this resource for entrepreneurs and startup investors via the “Featured” section on my profile.
2024
Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Executive Director, Adriana Cruz, will kickoff the Texas Venture Gala & Forum Breakfast Keynote, followed by a variety of 50+ investors on breakout sessions throughout the day including: venture capitalists, LPs, corporates, heads of angel networks from across the state, family offices, emerging managers, incubators, accelerators, city chambers & economic development corporation startup funds, and more. Additional highly influential contributors to Texas' statewide innovation featured are the CEOs of the Texas Higher Education Commission, Texas Economic Development Corporation, and the Texas State Chamber of Commerce, along with top leaders from the Texas State Legislature. The Forum hosts daytime conversations featuring prominent Gala guests. The Gala recognizes and celebrates leadership in the ecosystem. This is a not-to-be-missed, first Texan experience of its kind. Check out news on speaker highlights here and stay tuned as more updates come live over the next few days: https://lnkd.in/gChjZEeq www.texasventuregala.com
2022
"Texas might be The Lone Star State, but we shouldn’t have lone star founders." The Texas Venture Fest features the ecosystem of startup support across the state. I created this unique statewide event that is simultaneously cohosted in 10+ different cities. It's a record-breaking event and Texas-sized proud moment for the state. From our small towns to the some nation's biggest metropoles, the 2024's experience was with 10 cities, 16 venues, 40+ venture panelists, and 2,900 Texans. Texas Venture Fest started in downtown Austin, hosted in 5 venues, used 3 venture shuttle stops, and attracted 1,300 attendees. Thank you to the “Texas-sized” statewide sponsors: Pacific Western Bank, Akerman, the Texas State Chamber of Commerce (Texas Association of Business), In Good Taste Wines, Liquid Death Water, and returning supporter from the first founding sponsorship of the Venture Fest, Eisner Amper.
2021 - 2022
2021 - 2022
I was a founder of the Austin Venture Association and led as the Executive Director. Managed a 14 person board membership, planned events hosting 700+ people in total, created and published a monthly newsletter, managed multiple social media channels, and secured 10+ media hits. First video of me talking about a local startup investors' club, calling it Venture Austin Club (a concept I launched a few months beforehand): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R07gvEOtLnI I left the Austin Venture Association to start a statewide entity, most importantly to connect Texas' greater venture community and to add a lobby component via the Texas Venture Alliance.
2020 - 2021
2020 - 2021
At the onset of pandemic, I came up with an idea for short term stay and a curated experience catering to the startup and venture community. I partnered with 3 luxury hotels in downtown Austin to offer a total of 20 startup and business leaders short term stay— it was a blast and I’ve always wanted to live in nice hotels!
2018 - 2021
2018 - 2021
Served on the endowment, finance, and bobcats awards committees, and promoted and attended fundraisers.
2020 - 2021
2020 - 2021
This was an immediate pandemic response where I launched a business as quick reaction to the onset of the pandemic by first purchasing thousands of dollars of shelf-stable goods from local entrepreneurs. My cofounder and I boxed up products and shipped them across the country. My cofounder and I ended up working with over 60 Austin SMBs to help them stay afloat. I'm a picky eater so this was also a great selection of local snacks!
2019 - 2020
2019 - 2020
Powered by the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers, Shaper Impact has a global network and is an impact investor newsletter connecting thousands of social enterprises and impact startups with thousands of impact investors and angels. I helped scout and diligence impact startups to our cause and newsletter. I also helped keep the website up-to-date.
2012 - 2020
2012 - 2020
At Austin’s first venture studio I worked as a marketing manager, marketing director, and then Entrepreneur in Residence in downtown Austin. I also worked on special projects in unique places around the world— my favorites being Shanghai, Las Vegas, Singapore, and Monte Carlo.
2019 - 2020
2019 - 2020
I worked with this angel network/fund to identify early stage impact startups to invest in and conduct due diligence. I helped support a leadership team of all women investors from across the country.