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Co-sponsored by Santa Clara University
As an extension of our private company board series in 2023, this session will address the economy, financial challenges, and risk management for start-up boards. The last few years have been an economic rollercoaster, and entrepreneurial companies have gone through quite a ride. How have start-up boards addressed issues such as inflation, supply chain issues, and geopolitics? What types of strategies should start-up boards consider for future economic downturns and upswings? And how have recent banking woes impacted the future of how private companies consider their finances? Join our panel of experts as they continue to demystify the start-up board and discuss how economics and risk management play a significant role in a board member’s fiduciary duties.
SPEAKERS
Jack Lazar
Jack Lazar is a public and private company CFO, GM and Corporate Development executive with experience managing Operations, Finance, Accounting, Investor Relations, Corporate Development, Business Development, HR, Legal, Sales Operations, Program Management and IT functions. Completed three IPOs and been the CFO at 4 public companies and 1 private company (that was eventually sold). Board member and advisor for two companies while completing their IPOs. Raised over $4 billion in financings and executed ~$15 billion in M&A transactions. Experience in multinational operations (Asia and Europe) and profitably growing companies from the start up phase to over $1 billion in revenue. Implemented global ERP systems, SOX infrastructure and integrated multiple acquisitions. Managed multiple companies with $1 billion + market capitalizations. Extensive experience dealing with buy and sellside investors.
Jack currently board member at 4 public companies where he serves as either a member or chair of a variety of committees. Sold several public companies at significant premiums in public to public M&A transactions. Serves on the Santa Clara University Finance and Advisory Boards.
Anita Lynch
Anita Lynch is dedicated to making life better and business more resilient through technology, operations and data. Her expertise includes implementing digital transformation, finding positive solutions that benefit all stakeholders to mitigate risk, and increasing shareholder value. A technophile at heart with an intuitive sense of systems and processes, she has an innate ability to bridge technology and business with diverse perspectives. She identifies smart investments that protect and leverage data to maximize profitability, and ultimately adds value to corporations at all stages.
Ms. Lynch currently serves as a Board Member at Nasdaq U.S. Exchanges, Hungryroot, data.world, and Infogain. She most recently served as Chief Data Officer at New Relic (NASDAQ: NEWR), a provider of data-driven enterprise software. She is among the first African American women to serve in the c-suite in this role for a public company.
Beyond the c-suite, Ms. Lynch plays a leadership role in vital community programs and has served on non-profit boards supporting education initiatives for urban youth with Chicago Youth Centers and Silicon Valley Talent Partnership in the San Francisco Bay area. Ms. Lynch also volunteers with Harvard Business School Admissions, Harvard Business School Alumni Board and Harvard Alumni Association.
Brian Patterson
Brian Patterson serves as Global Vice Chair of the Latham & Watkins’ Emerging Companies Practice and represents emerging companies through all stages of growth and advises the venture capital and private equity funds that invest in the emerging companies space. Mr. Patterson leverages his passion for entrepreneurship and technology with his significant experience counseling startups on the full range of issues they may face. Mr. Patterson serves on the board of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, where he has been a featured speaker on startup and venture capital law and business.
Banafsheh Akhlaghi, moderator
Banafsheh Akhlaghi has over 20 years of experience as founder of a civil rights nonprofit, consultant to the United Nations, Regional Director with Amnesty International, and founder of an international private law practice. Her expertise includes Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), Risk Management, Legal & Business Strategy, Diversity & Inclusion, and Public Policy. Immediate past co-chairwoman, and a member since 2010, of the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission of the State Bar of California, focusing on legal advocacy for underserved and underrepresented populations. Member of the Board of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco focused on access to low-cost liquidity, essential financial services, and resources for affordable housing and economic development to our member banks. Member of Board of Advisors of Entefy, an advanced AI and process automation company.