Private Directors Association® San Francisco Chapter
MEDIA
BUSINESS SUMMARY
The Private Directors Association® strives to help private companies create, enhance and professionalize their boards while developing and promoting talented, experienced, and diverse board candidates. The organization was founded in 2014 and now has almost 3,000 members and 22 chapters, with additional chapters in formation.
The PDA San Francisco Chapter is among the newest and fastest growing local chapters. It includes a number of distinguished executives and entrepreneurs and has a deep-rooted connection to the Silicon Valley startup community. With over 130 active members, it has the focus, talent and resources to help early-stage companies grow and succeed.
THE BUSINESS
The Private Directors Association® San Francisco Chapter is an essential element of the Private Directors Association® (PDA) mission to:
• Advocate for and teach board formation and governance.
• Enhance private company value through high-performing boards.
• Advocate for the value of diverse and inclusive boards.
• Create a national alliance of directors, executives, and private company owners interested in board service to learn, network, and identify and attract exceptional board members.
The Private Directors Association® San Francisco Chapter has a special focus on servicing early-stage companies. Drawing on its extensive nationwide resources and the experience of its local community, the chapter helps participating members be more effective in the boardroom, add value to their organizations, and advance good governance.
Vision and Mission
Mission:
Our mission is creating, sustaining and enhancing Private Company value through the active use of diverse Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards. We advocate for excellent practices in board formation and governance. We provide a national network where executives and professionals interested in board service can find and meet with those interested in securing exceptional board members. We provide a welcoming and responsive culture that distinguishes us.
Vision:
CEOs, Owners, and Board Members will share a forum to learn, discuss, and exchange insights with other CEOs, Owners, and Board Members on why and how to effectively use Advisory and other Boards.
CEOs, Owners, Board Members, and those seeking to be Board Members will be provided with experience based and other value-based educational content and networking opportunities in cities around the globe as envisioned by our Founders.
Widespread use of effective advisory boards by Private Companies' CEOs, Owners, and legal boards, as well as the strengthening of Private Company governance boards, will result in a vibrant sustainable plurality of Private Middle-Market Companies.
Value Proposition
- Providing best practices experience and resources to business owners to help them develop better governance structures
- Helping early-stage companies hit the ground running when it comes to setting up value-producing advisory and fiduciary boards
- Providing independent professionals with stated interest in serving on Boards who have “been there, done that” with similarly structured businesses.
We provide board governance training programs including private equity portfolio company governance, a Certificate in Private Company Governance, ESOP governance essentials, and podcasts on ESG and other governance issues like cybersecurity. You can also contact us to learn more about our library of whitepapers, recorded programs and other resource materials.
Products
Whether you are thinking about setting up your first advisory board or already have a well-established fiduciary board, PDA San Francisco Chapter can be a great source of Director leads capable of guiding early-stage companies on their growth journey.
Board Member Roles:
Monetryx users can use this page to either submit an inquiry to the PDA San Francisco Chapter or browse through our list of members and approach them directly through the platform. Inquiries sent to us through the Monetryx platform will be reviewed by our dedicated team. We offer companies a complimentary, non-exclusive internal posting service to our membership base for available fiduciary and advisory board director roles. We work with organizations to refine postings to attract those members most qualified to serve.
Board Support:
The PDA San Francisco Chapter offers board support services to help board formation, recruiting and governance. We draw from the resources of our parent organization and the experience of our local membership base to help implement best industry practices. Please submit an inquiry, and our dedicated team will contact you to discuss ways to assist you in your mission.
The Team
President: Tamara Gracon, TBG Consulting
Executive Committee
- Tina Greenbaum, Mastery Under Pressure LLC
- Jonathan Krause, Synclarity Consulting
- Dennis Johnson, Glass Lewis & Company
- Prem Talreja, Silicon Valley Financial Services, LLC
TESTIMONIALS
Success Stories
"I was initially struggling to find experienced executives to join the board of Lake Point Healthcare – until I found PDA. After posting my board positions I was inundated with applications of exceptionally high quality executives from all over the USA. PDA exceeded my expectation in every way possible. With their assistance I was able to assemble an elite level group of directors to take my company to the next level and beyond."
- Dan Blackburn, Owner, Lake Point Assisted Living, Frisco, TX
"We posted two advisory board positions with the PDA in early November. In less than 3 weeks we’ve gotten submissions from almost 50 highly qualified candidates. The caliber of all of the candidates is very good and many are extraordinarily well qualified for these positions that have very specific requirements. This is a first advisory board for a relatively young company so I wasn’t sure of how much interest there would be. I’m frankly more than pleasantly surprised. I’d say blown away is more accurate. The hardest part of this process will be how to narrow this amazing group to a reasonable number to interview."
- Lead Director, Real Estate Development Company
THE MEMBERS
SHORT DESCRIPTION
To utilize more than 3 decades of experience from engagement with corporate boards or as a direct Board member/Advisor to position or transform businesses towards sustainable profitable growth. I bring a unique combination of governance, finance, credit, legal, IR, and turnaround expertise and skills to the table and apply these skills with integrity, credibility and passion. A career as an engaged investor with clear expertise in finance, deal-making, due diligence, valuation and negotiation processes.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Aneta Key is a systems science engineer turned emerging markets banker turned tenured McKinsey consultant turned trusted advisor to leaders worldwide.
Aneta helps innovative companies grow amid risk, change and uncertainty. She works with teams and individual executives to develop strategies, align around a plan of action, and execute on priorities.
Aneta has worked with diverse companies in various stages, sizes, and industries — including unicorns and uni-person startups.
Aneta is looking to add 1 or 2 additional advisory board seats to her portfolio of startups she supports.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
With a diverse range of expertise, including product strategy, podcast hosting, startup advising and investing, and executive coaching, B. is a true thought leader in the agile technology industry. Passionate about driving positive change and promoting diversity in tech, B. approaches every challenge with a strategic, curious, and authentic approach. A proud graduate of Northwestern University and holder of an MBA and master's in information systems from Robert Morris University, B. is also dedicated to giving back to the community through their roles as Vice Chair and Secretary on the Board o
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Board Member with 40 years of experience as a global investment and finance executive. Served on twenty-four formal corporate, advisory and non-profit Boards and sixteen Board Committees. Experience serving as Board Chairman and Committee Chairman. Big picture and critical thinker; work with energy, humility, communicate with respect and have ability to absorb and synthesize large complex sets of data and information.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
I am interested in board positions where a company values my experience as a CFO/COO on a broad range of matters. My expertise is in commercial real estate development, investment and management and company operations with significant experience in compensation structures and benefits. I have served on non-for-profit boards, including their executive board, board president and chairing key committees, and also as the independent director for a company that transitioned to ESOP ownership. I have strong strategic skills and developed many strategic plans.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Jack works as a Board Director with companies in the Life Science sector, bringing skills of Empowerment, Alignment and Responsility to his clients.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Former serial entrepreneur, I've led the business development from scratch to global organizations. Since 2017, I have been providing strategic advisory services to high tech companies and I am now focused on investing in late stage high-tech companies scaling up innovations for the Energy Transition. I have been at the board of several companies and providing strategic advice to entrepreneurs.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
I am a West Coast based investor with extensive experience in portfolio management and public equities. I am interested in scalable businesses in any area that a business person with no specific technical knowledge would understand. I prefer US, Latin America and EU based/focused businesses at an early stage with a specific business plan and existing product. I will give special consideration to businesses focused on solving serious social problems, and to women owned businesses. I will be happy to get involved as an advisor or board member, and use my contacts in investment management, Latin America and EMEA to help my portfolio companies.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Passionate about helping other entrepreneurs, founders and small business owners build sustainable organizations. That serve their stakeholders and shareholders more effectively. With knowledge, skills and experience from both the public and private sectors. Focusing in education, healthcare and the life sciences. Having worked directly and indirectly with companies of all sizes from startup/early stage to fortune 500. Areas of expertise include: Business development Coaching Organizational design Project management Strategic Planning Sales/Sales training
SHORT DESCRIPTION
I am interested in both being an advisor and investor. Currently, I mentor and coach over 30 CEOs. During my career I have worked with well over 100n leaders to help each to realize her or his potential. As an investor, I participate with investor groups. If a company is seeking investment, I am interested to learn more and determine if it may be appropriate for one of my investor groups.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Co-founder and CEO of a patented digital healthcare company/individual investor.
Co-inventor of patented SaaS-based technology, co-founder and CEO of a digital healthcare startup. Former Wall Street and Federal Reserve banker and analyst specializing in monetary policy, economics and finance, as well as former President and Executive director of a global scientific philanthropic organization and adviser to US Small Business Administration.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Lisa has advised Boards and CEOs to leverage capital markets and philanthropic giving to meet growth objectives that deliver impact. She has grown multi-jurisdictional programs within small, medium and large international companies and organizations as a mission-driven entrepreneur. She advises on developing and managing relationships with corporations, governments, partners, investors and funders to maximize goals. Her strong competencies in global operations, cross cultural stakeholder engagement and fiscal compliance deliver impact, profit and accountability.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
I am a seasoned C-suite executive with 15+ years of experience as a strategic business partner and trusted legal advisor to the executive team and board of directors of Glass Lewis, a global SaaS company and leading provider of global governance solutions. I am a Latina and a citizen of the U.S., Mexico, Colombia and France. I am a native English and Spanish speaker and I am fluent in French. I currently live in San Francisco, California with my husband and two boys.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Experienced board & corporate leader through 40+ years of significant governance, leadership, operating and industry roles. I have a track record of identifying critical issues, delivering quick turnaround results, and developing innovative solutions. Currently serve as Chairman of two nationally recognized advisory boards. Consulting expert in the A&D, technology, industrial manufacturing, real estate, and hospitality industries. Operating expert as a former COO/CFO, client service and industry leader, and C-Suite advisor. Strong background in financial, M&A, valuation, and risk issues.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Creative and dynamic leader with a positive attitude and exhibit meticulous work ethic with a keen eye for detail and focus on bridging business and technology. Organizationally savvy and visionary with award-winning performance for spearheading Enterprise infrastructure and data solutions to build payment systems, fight fraud and monitor risk, turning results into strategic advantage saving money and increasing revenue to the company. Strong technical combined with business acumen abilities offers a unique combination of analytical, inter-personal and problem-solving skills
SHORT DESCRIPTION
With over 40 years in technology space in engineering, marketing, and general management including 10 years in the Venture Capital space, I am an active investor and I look forward to connecting with entrepreneurs to help them in their journey to success. My current focus is on AI driven automation.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Ryan Renteria is a CEO coach at Stretch Five, diverse board director, and speaker who helps leaders optimize professional and personal growth. He's the author of Lead without Burnout: Growth with Less Stress for You and Your Team, with praise from fifty-one leaders including Fortune 500 Chairmen and CEOs. He spent nine years at Goldman Sachs and large hedge funds. Ryan became a partner and managing director of consumer investments at age twenty-five and, after strong returns, left Wall Street at thirty for charitable pursuits. He spent nine years as an analytics advisor to Indiana Pacers coac
SHORT DESCRIPTION
I have been a general counsel for 15 years in various contexts including 10 for 2 public companies. During that time I have been a coach/player managing teams of 5 or more in both legal and corporate development roles. I have also been CLO for a high-growth, later stage start-up.
A generalist, I was a securities class action litigator early in my career and have managed many litigation matters of varying complexity and subjects. There are few legal subjects I have not directly handled or managed with internal or external partners. I work well across all facets of an organization.
SHORT DESCRIPTION
I am interested in being an ADVISOR. I can help a start-up with the following: • Financial statement preparation and analysis • Budgeting and cost management • Cash flow management • Other projections and forecasting • Valuation of the firm and valuation of specific initiatives • Preparation for investor meetings and fundraising as it relates to valuation • Brainstorming about monetization of the product and revenue generation I am an industry generalist and have researched the performance and governance of companies from a wide range of industries. If I can help with connections too.
