Announcing the Chicago:Blend Alumni Board

 
 

At Chicago:Blend, we are committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable venture capital ecosystem. We believe that meaningful change requires the continuous involvement and leadership of those who have already walked the path. With that in mind, we are excited to announce the creation of the Chicago:Blend Alumni Board—a dynamic group of accomplished leaders who will help us strengthen our community, support future fellows, and drive our mission forward.

Why an Alumni Board?

Since its founding, Chicago:Blend has been dedicated to strengthening the VC and startup landscape by providing emerging talent with the resources, networks, and mentorship they need to break into venture. Over the years, our Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship has grown into a transformative initiative that empowers individuals to succeed in venture capital. Now in its seventh cohort, the program has successfully helped over 90% of alumni who applied for a VC job secure one within six months of completing the fellowship. As our community of alumni continues to expand, we see a tremendous opportunity to empower our past fellows to give back, share their insights, and shape a more inclusive industry.

With generous support from Origin Ventures, the newly formed Alumni Board will play a critical role in fostering collaboration, continued learning, and new opportunities for both current fellows and our growing alumni network. Through their leadership and dedication, this board will ensure that Chicago:Blend remains at the forefront of advancing diversity and inclusion in the venture capital space.

Meet the Inaugural Alumni Board Members

We are proud to introduce the exceptional individuals who make up our inaugural Alumni Board. Each member is a graduate of the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship program, bringing unique expertise, a passion for inclusion, and a deep commitment to advancing the mission of Chicago:Blend.

Alumni Board Members

(^ denotes a Committee Lead)

Alumni Board Chair

  • ^Liz Yuhas (Cohort 4) VP at PACE Healthcare Capital

Marketing Committee

  • ^Rachel Sebald (Cohort 3) Director of Marketing and communications @ Evergreen Climate Innovations

  • ^Zimri Rodriguez (Cohort 4) Chicago Chapter Leader @ LaFamilia.

Learning Committee

Fellowship Committee

  • ^Marina Rostein, (Cohort 4) Head of Platform @ NVNG, Members

  • ^Salvador Duenas, (Staff) Sr. Director of Programs @ Chicago:Blend

  • Shai Basys (Cohort 4) Co-Founder @ Stealth Startup

  • Don Wilson (Cohort 2) Head of Product and Startup Strategy Practice Lead @ Dart Leader

Ops & Governance Committee

  • ^Grisel Hernandez (Cohort 1) Senior Associate @ Chingona Ventures

  • ^Nilofar Khanbhai (Cohort 3) Venture Creations Lead @ Discovery Partners Institute.

  • Mosea Esais (Cohort 2) Fund Associate @ Tarrson Impact Fund

  • Ishmael Qawiy (Cohort 4) Managing Partner @ Collaborative Enterprises

  • Monika Razdan (Cohort 2) Platform & Investor Relations @ Dipalo Ventures

Social Committee

These alumni have not only excelled in their careers but have also remained deeply committed to giving back to the community. They will serve as mentors, advisors, and champions for the next generation of Chicago:Blend fellows.

What’s Next?

The Alumni Board is poised to make a significant impact in its inaugural year by spearheading key initiatives, including:

  • Continued Learning Series: Offering ongoing workshops and educational opportunities for alumni to continue their professional growth.

  • Networking Events: Connecting alumni, current fellows, and industry leaders to build relationships and foster collaboration.

  • Fellowship Events: Hosting events like Blend:Talks, designed to foster dialogue, mentorship, and industry insights.

We are eager to see the positive influence this board will have on our community and are excited for what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to shape a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative venture ecosystem.

Get Involved

We invite you to join us in supporting this transformative work. Here are a few ways you can contribute to the success of the Alumni Board’s initiatives:

  • Deliver content or workshops for VCs and aspiring investors.

  • Host a fellow at your venture capital firm for mentorship or shadowing opportunities.

  • Attend upcoming fellowship events and networking gatherings.

  • Fund the work of Chicago:Blend to help us expand our impact and reach.

We are incredibly excited about the future and the opportunities ahead, and we encourage you to get involved. If you would like to participate or learn more, please reach out to sal@chicagoblend.org.

Let’s continue to build a stronger, more inclusive venture capital ecosystem together!

Chicago:Blend