The SPS Entrepreneurs Network presents its second installment of the speaker series to coincide with the launch of the new shared interest group for SPS alumni, students and faculty interested and involved in entrepreneurship, startups, and venture capital. The group aims to foster a thriving community at SPS to connect and share knowledge, opportunities, and resources in entrepreneurship through virtual and in-person programs and events.
The virtual fireside chat features founder & CEO of Akesa Health, Marie Lesaicherre and venture capital investor, Maria Gonzalez-Blanch, Partner at Crescent Ridge. The conversation will be around their experiences as female entrepreneurs and investors, the challenges for women in a male-dominated industry, investing in female-founded startups, and their path to becoming a founder and VC.
About the Speakers
Marie Lesaicherre (EMBAG ‘13) is the founder and CEO of Akesa Health, a startup offering a neuroscience-based digital application that helps people transform stress and anxiety into resilience. She is a 4x CEO, board member, advisor, coach, and scientist with 19 years of experience launching and growing businesses for General Electric and startups in the US, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Marie is passionate about leveraging science and technology to empower people to live healthier and happier lives. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from the National University of Singapore and an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School and the London Business School.
Maria Gonzalez-Blanch is a partner at Crescent Ridge, an early-stage VC firm based in San Diego that invests in values-aligned founders on a mission to build a better world. With a diverse international background, Maria has held roles as both an operator and investor. She started her career as an engineer and later worked as a strategy consultant at Bain. She has also held leadership positions at a major Private Equity firm and other consumer-focused companies. Maria holds an MBA from Stanford and a degree in industrial engineering. She is passionate about investing in founders who don't fit the traditional venture mold. Maria also serves on several boards in Crescent Ridge’s portfolio. Maria is originally from Spain, a mother of two, a health and fitness enthusiast and an avid surfer.
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]
