Keri Findley, is the founder of Tacora Capital, an Austin, Texas based firm which does asset-backed private credit to venture-owned companies. Providing loans to youngish companies is an important part of the VC ecosystem, and Keri takes pride in helping young entrepreneurs grow their startups.

Corinne Bortniker is a Director at Cohen Circle where she supports SPAC deal execution and venture capital investments. Previously, Corinne was a Vice President at Wells Fargo Securities, focused on Technology, Media, and Telecom Equity Capital Markets. She has extensive experience executing equity capital markets transactions, raising proceeds for public and private companies. Prior to Wells Fargo Securities, she was an Equity Capital Markets analyst at Cowen Inc. Corinne holds a B.A. in Business and Psychology from Brandeis University.

Mary Ellen Iskenderian is President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, the global nonprofit devoted to giving more low-income women access to the financial tools and resources they need to achieve security and prosperity. Ms. Iskenderian has led the Women’s World Banking global team, based in New York, since 2006 and also serves on the Investment Committees of its two impact investment funds.

Previously, Ms. Iskenderian worked at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, and the investment bank Lehman Brothers. Ms. Iskenderian is a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as a member of the Women’s Forum of New York and the UN’s Business and Sustainable Development Commission. She
serves as a Director on the Board of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Ms. Iskenderian holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in International Economics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Recently, she was recognized in the Forbes 50 over 50: Investment list, which highlights female investors and financial leaders. Her first book, There’s Nothing Micro About a Billion Women: Making Finance Work for Women, was published by MIT Press in April 2022.

Madhu is a managing partner and co-founder of Rocketship.vc. Prior to Rocketship, she was Chief Data Officer for Gojek, contributing to its growth into a $10 billion unicorn. She served as an operating partner at a $150M PE fund building startups across Southeast Asia and was a member of Intuit’s Quickbooks Lending Platform founding team.

Nicole Valentine is the FinTech Director of the Center for Financial Markets at the Milken Institute with over a decade of financial services, international Mergers & Acquisitions, technology and innovation experience. She leads the FinTech Program with a focus on access to capital, financial inclusion, compliance and transparency.

Join us for an intriguing conversation with Michael Phillips, the dynamic Chief Operating Officer of T.D. Jakes Enterprises. Recorded live from Milken's 2024 Global Conference, Michael dives deep into their social impact venture, Goodsoil, and how it’s making waves for minority businesses. 🌍👥

5 Keys You'll Learn from This Episode

1. The Power of "Why":
   Discover why people don’t just buy your product—they buy WHY you make it. 🧐
2. Common Barriers for Founders:
   Learn about the three main hurdles faced by entrepreneurs: wealth, credit, and trust. 💰🔍🤝
3. Creating Supportive Ecosystems:
   Uncover the importance of building a strong, supportive network for minority businesses. 🌱💡
4. Impacts on Venture Capital:
   Understand how addressing these barriers can change the game for minority-owned venture firms. 🚀
5. A Vision for the Future:
   Hear Michael’s inspiring vision for unlocking the untapped potential of undercapitalized talent. 🌟

Fun Fact from the Episode
Did you know that Michael Phillips reads The Invisible Man every year? 📚 It started as a tradition with his son, and it’s become one of his personal rituals. Talk about dedication to a classic!

Outtro
Our chat with Michael was nothing short of enlightening. His insights into creating a digital playground for entrepreneurs and fostering trust within business ecosystems are truly transformative. You’re in for a treat!

Call to Action
Ready to get inspired and gain some valuable knowledge? Listen to Episode 097 now! Also, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Female VC Lab podcast on your favorite listening platform.

As always, thank you for your support! We can't wait to hear what you think about this episode.
P.S. Want to dive deeper into the world of Goodsoil and connect with Michael Phillips? Visit goodsoilform.com and explore the amazing work they’re doing!

Alice Pomponio is Vice President of Innovation and Impact Investing at American Cancer Society and Managing Director of BrightEdge —ACS’s mission-driven venture capital and impact investment arm. She’s an impact investor, social innovation entrepreneur, and patient advocate with extensive experience in life sciences and business and passion for health equity.

Seasoned entrepreneur and resource mobilizer for positive social and environmental change.