Silicon Valley Impact

S2 E 12 - Rohan Brown, Founder of Pitch Mayhem; Bill Barry CEO of IgniteGTM

On this weeks episode of Silicon Valley Impact we’re speaking with Rohan Brown, Founder of Pitch Mayhem; and Bill Barry, CEO of IgniteGTM. This episode, and all new episodes, drop Tuesdays at 12pm. Be sure to follow for notifications about new and impactful interviews like this one!
 
Rohan is the founder of Pitch Mayhem, a dynamic pitch tournament fueling Nevada’s rise as a tech hub. Rohan is building global tech ecosystems that support early-stage startups and drive investor dealflow. He is a La Salle University alum, former collegiate athlete. After beginning his career at SEI Investments, he transitioned into tech and entrepreneurship, competing in high-profile startup showcases like the MIT Sports Analytics Conference, Silicon Dragon @ Nasdaq, and winning twice on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch. Listen in as he describes how he took his experience competing at a national level and transitioned it into startup success. 
 
Bill is a technology strategist and AI infrastructure expert with a proven track record in data center architecture, high-performance computing (HPC), and go-to-market (GTM) execution. With decades of experience driving innovation across Silicon Valley’s deep-tech ecosystem, he specializes in bridging cutting-edge technology with scalable business strategy.
 
Bill’s expertise spans AI/ML infrastructure, cloud and edge computing, and hardware-software integration, enabling organizations to optimize technical adoption and accelerate market penetration. As a trusted advisor, he works with enterprises to refine GTM strategies, streamline adoption cycles, and position next-gen technologies for impact.
Whether architecting next-gen AI infrastructure or driving deep-tech commercialization, Bill is passionate about helping businesses navigate complexity, scale effectively, and execute with clarity.
 
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
 
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”
 

S2 E11 - Colin Behring, Founder of Behring Companies and Stak Ventures; Harbir Kaur Bhatia, CEO at the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce; and Wala Kasmi, CEO of ClassX

On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we speak with Colin Behring, Founder & CEO of Behring Companies and Founder of Stak Ventures; Harbir Kaur Bhatia, CEO at the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce; and Wala Kasmi, CEO of ClassX.
Colin Behring is a visionary real estate developer, investor, and technologist redefining the intersection of property and innovation. As the Founder and CEO of Behring Companies, he has led over $3 billion in investments across real estate, private equity, and EB-5 financing. Through Stak Ventures, Colin is pioneering “Full Stack Real Estate”—a platform that integrates housing, office, mobility, and lifestyle into seamless, tech-enabled live-work-play-go ecosystems. The first prototype is located at 1900 Broadway in Downtown Oakland, above the 19th Street BART Station. With over two decades of international experience, including his start at Morgan Stanley Properties in Shanghai, Colin blends deep knowledge of capital markets, PropTech, and urban innovation. He frequently speaks on AI, automation, and the future of employer-provided housing, offering insights on how real estate can become a powerful tool for economic opportunity and talent strategy.
Harbir Kaur Bhatia is a civic entrepreneur and community leader, currently serving as CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce. With a background in electrical engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Santa Clara University, Harbir brings experience in high tech, entrepreneurship, community development, and media. A passionate advocate for inclusive progress, she has led numerous initiatives in sustainability, public-private collaboration, and global crisis relief. Her leadership has earned her significant honors, including the civilian Medal of Honor from Kharkiv, Ukraine, and the Carle G Orne World Peace and Understanding Award. Before her CEO role, Harbir served on the Chamber’s board and has been active in multiple community organizations such as Sister Cities International and the Santa Clara Rotary. Her philosophy centers on creating bridges between communities and advancing collective impact—living her motto, “be a tide that raises all boats.”
Wala Kasmi is a multi-awarded tech entrepreneur committed to transforming education through innovation. As CEO and founder of ClassX, she’s developed a first-of-its-kind platform connecting instructors, venues, and learners to power local skill-building communities. With a background in computer science engineering and recognition from institutions like the French Presidency and Orange Telecom, Wala’s work bridges the worlds of technology and education. Through her previous venture, WeCode Startup, she trained thousands of students and professionals worldwide. Her collaborations include global organizations such as Google, the UN Migration Agency, and the International Labor Organization. Focused on creating scalable, tech-enabled learning ecosystems, Wala continues to drive impact through partnerships that expand access to education and economic opportunity.
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”
 

S2 E10 - David Hefner, AI Champion for Investments - Private and Public at Blackrock; Jessie Zaylia, Founder and CEO of twrk. Inc, and Sheryl Anjanette, Founder and CEO of Parsley360.

On this week's episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with David Hefner, AI Champion for Investments - Private and Public at Blackrock; Jessie Zaylia, Founder and CEO of twrk. Inc, and Sheryl Anjanette, Founder and CEO of Parsley360.
 
David is an AI enthusiast with over 20 years experience at BlackRock. His focus is on internal AI strategy across public and private markets investing, applying AI to make better investment decisions. David’s background includes studying AI at Columbia and building NLP solutions for investing over the past 5 years. He believes the best way to drive AI adoption is through engagement. As such, David put together a weekly AI newsletter for his firm that keeps them all informed on what’s happening in this amazingly fast moving space. To stay connected he regularly attends local AI events and meets with numerous startups. He believes this is an exciting journey and we are only at the beginning!
 
Jessie Zaylía is the Founder and CEO of twrk, inc., which is a startup in the job-search landscape that matches job seekers and recruiters through AI and swipe technology (think: Tinder for jobs). She is also an attorney, artist, and author.
 
As the CEO of twrk, she is most excited to lead the team toward giving the job-search landscape a much-needed technological kick in the pants. With a background in driving products, projects, and operations, Jessie’s been able to grow companies as well as create internal and external efficiencies. At Hanna Brophy, she doubled the Los Angeles office’s revenue during her first year managing it, headed a $5.2M proprietary SaaS-based IT overhaul that improved the firm’s productivity and client service, and completed multiple other projects to grow the business. 
 
Sheryl Anjanette is a TEDx and keynote speaker, bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of Parsley360 (Parsley™), a human centered, AI-enabled performance optimization system for businesses with universal access to an emotionally intelligent, empathetic pocket coach. Parsley provides companies with a unified platform to understand the unique nuances of each organization and individual. 
Sheryl’s professional journey spanning three decades of experience in leadership, marketing, and performance optimization led her to seek a holistic solution that could benefit all organizations and the stakeholders that empower their success. 
 
In her TEDx, “How Empathetic AI Can Change the World,” she shares her vision of how we can reconnect to each other when we embed empathy into the very code of our creations. Her insights as the best-selling author of "The Imposter Lies Within," a roadmap to living an imposter-free life, reflect her ability to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies. 
 
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
 
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”
 

S2 E9 - Co-Host Maximillian Diez with Ralph (Cash) Lafferty and Hans Sandhu

This week we dive deep into venture capital, alternative investments, and the art of scaling startups with three powerhouse guests:
🔹 Maximillian Diez – General Partner at Twenty Five Ventures 🔹 Ralph (Cash) Lafferty – CEO of PandoAlts 🔹 Hans Sandhu – Chief Business Officer at TheAgentic and my co-host
Meet the Guests:
💡 Maximillian Diez Before founding Twenty Five Ventures, Maximillian played a pivotal role in transforming real estate tech. As Vice President of Real Estate Operations at Movoto Holdings (acquired by OjO Labs), he built a technology-enabled brokerage model, scaling the business an astonishing 41x in just four years. He was also part of the executive team that led a management buyout, turning the company profitable before its acquisition.
His career includes leadership roles at UpNest.com (acquired by Realtor.com/News Corp) and being an early key player at Redfin (NASDAQ: RDFN), where he helped establish the California market. With deep expertise in both investing and scaling businesses, Maximillian started his career in finance with Franklin-Templeton before managing a family office at the Zief Family Foundation.
💡 Ralph (Cash) Lafferty As Founder and CEO of PandoAlts, Cash is revolutionizing alternative investments with a B2B open network that seamlessly connects wealth managers and market participants. With over 20 years in financial services, his expertise lies in integrating cutting-edge technology—AI, cloud computing, and digital assets—to transform the industry. His mission? To simplify and democratize access to alternative investments.
💡 Hans Sandhu A true Silicon Valley insider, Hans is a startup veteran with a passion for scaling companies and driving record-breaking sales. Having led multiple startups to acquisition, he holds the highest ARR records at three different venture-backed companies. Now, as an LP in a VC fund, he guides founders through market entry, GTM strategy, and hyper-growth execution.
🚀 All this and more on Silicon Valley Impact!
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🔹 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Always consult a professional before making financial or business decisions.

S2 E8 - AJ Thomas, Isabelle Johannessen and Michelle Florendo

In this episode, we are joined by AJ Thomas, founder of Good Trouble Ventures, as co-host. Together, we dive into insightful conversations with Isabelle Johannessen, head of the Startup Battlefield Program at TechCrunch, and Michelle Florendo, a Stanford University educated decision engineer and executive coach.
Meet Our Guests:
🔹 Isabelle Johannessen leads TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield Program, the premier early-stage startup competition. She’s on a global search for the most innovative startups to feature at TechCrunch Disrupt (October 27–29), where 200 selected companies will compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize, media exposure, investor attention, and the coveted Disrupt Cup. Before TechCrunch, Isabelle managed a San Francisco-based accelerator, helping international startups from Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Spain break into Silicon Valley. Passionate about supporting women founders, she was recognized by the World Trade Organization for launching an award-winning program advancing gender equality in trade.
🔹 Michelle Florendo is a decision engineer and executive coach who has spent over a decade helping leaders across tech, healthcare, and finance navigate complex decisions with clarity and confidence. She has worked with executives from Amazon, Google, and Salesforce, teaches at Stanford, and serves as a faculty coach at the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute. She also hosts the podcast Ask a Decision Engineer and holds degrees from Stanford (Engineering) and UC Berkeley (MBA).
🔹 AJ Thomas, my co-host for this episode, is a visionary investor and futurist specializing in AI-driven workforce transformation. As the CEO of The Troublemaker Lab and founder of Good Trouble Ventures, she empowers founders and invests in the future of entertainment and digital transformation. Formerly at Google X, AJ now serves as CXO-in-Residence at A.Team, helping companies integrate AI for growth. She is also a Forbes contributor, executive coach, and speaker, advising both startups and Fortune 100 companies on innovation and disruption.
Tune in for a conversation packed with insights on startup acceleration, decision-making strategies, and the future of AI and entrepreneurship.
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”
 

S2 E7 - Jessica Karr of Coyote Ventures and Genevieve LeMarchal of Suncoast Ventures

On this week's episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Jessica Karr, Founder & Managing Director of Coyote Ventures; and Genevieve LeMarchal, Managing Partner of Suncoast Ventures.
 
Jessica is passionate about innovation that drives positive change in human health, equality, and our relationship to the earth. She worked for 6+ years designing and launching the Impossible burger as the 12th employee. Jessica has advised and consulted over a dozen companies internationally on product strategies. Jessica is an angel investor, LP, and formerly worked as Principal at a celebrity’s venture fund. She launched Coyote Ventures is 2021 to address the opportunities in health and wellness that has been historically marginalized. She can often be found swimming in the SF Bay and walking her Pom rescue, Angie.
 
Prior to Suncoast Genevieve  launched and ran Expert Dojo’s healthcare program and ran 3 full cohorts of health tech and medtech companies, becoming one of the most prolific early stage VC investors in Southern California (Crunchbase, 2022) and winner of the 2022 Biocom Life Science Catalyst Award. She is passionate about entrepreneurs, and advising an mentoring founders. She loves to innovate financial models and find better ways to structure and fund companies and do deals. 
 
She previously served as Partner at a science focused advisory and fund in formation, was a General Partner at  a small Oregon-based VC Fund, and she is co-founder of the Pacific NW based organization, XXcelerate. She is the host of the AdVentureous Podcast and often writes and delivers talks, keynotes and training to entrepreneurs and investors about venture capital and entrepreneurship, impact and equity investing and more. 
She is a Pacific Northwest native and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”
 

S2 E6 - Paul Ratner, Tony Zirnoon and Daniel Donaldson

On this weeks episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Paul Ratner, Vice President of Sales at Marble Bridge Funding Group; Tony Zirnoon, Director of Channel & Strategic Partnerships. ISV, OEMs - Americas, and Ignite portfolio manager for their fund of funds; and Daniel Donaldson, Co-Founder of Eve Vehicles.
 
Paul Ratner is the Vice President of Sales at Marble Bridge Funding Group, where he helps small business owners navigate liquidity challenges with strategic financing solutions. Specializing in Accounts Receivable lines of credit, Purchase Order, and Contract Financing, Paul is committed to empowering businesses with the financial tools they need to scale and succeed.
 
With nearly two decades of experience in B2B sales and a background in the sports industry—including leadership roles with the Golden State Warriors and PGA TOUR—Paul brings a deep understanding of relationship-building, problem-solving, and customer-centric strategies. His career has been built on finding creative solutions that drive growth for businesses across industries.
 
Beyond his work in finance, Paul is an active business coach, advisor, and non-profit board member. As a former Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco’s Sport Management Graduate Program, he guided students in overcoming the negative stigma around sales while helping them develop essential skills in public speaking, personal branding, social media, and networking.
 
Known for his transparent and service-driven approach, Paul excels at building community, fostering meaningful connections, and providing value-first solutions. His passion lies in helping individuals and businesses achieve their highest potential, making him a trusted partner in both professional and personal growth.
 
Tony is a cybersecurity and IT leader with over 25 years of experience in strategic partnerships, venture investment, and business development. As the Founder of Human Capital Ventures Corp, he has raised over $7M for early-stage startups in cybersecurity, AI, telemedicine, and enterprise SaaS, leading multiple companies to successful exits, including Avid Secure (acquired by Sophos) and SecureCircle (acquired by CrowdStrike). His investment approach prioritizes predictive innovation and diversification, targeting a 20–30% IRR.
 
Currently heading Strategic Partnerships & Alliances for the Americas at Actian (HCL Software), Tony drives enterprise growth by helping organizations streamline data integration, enhance analytics, and accelerate AI/LLM adoption. His expertise spans GTM strategy, channel development across LATAM and Japan, and strategic collaborations with industry giants such as Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, and Palo Alto Networks.
 
An active investor and advisor, Tony has supported and scaled security startups like Seclytics, DuploCloud, InstaSecure.ai, and Accuknox. He is also a founding member of the Tortora Brayda Institute and the National AI & Cybersecurity ISAO, reinforcing his commitment to advancing cybersecurity resilience from SMBs to critical infrastructure.
 
Daniel has eight years of experience in SaaS customer success and govtech sales, he has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. He began his career implementing enterprise resource planning solutions for the State of Texas, gaining deep expertise in public sector technology. More recently, he played a key role in scaling sales at Gel Blaster, a well-known toy company, growing monthly sales from 500 to 50,000 units. Passionate about leveraging technology to support first responders, Daniel focuses on the market implications of real-time, on-demand data and its potential to transform emergency response.
 
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact! New episode drops at 12pm PST every Tuesday.
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”
 

S2 E5 - Focus on Partnerships with Gary Batroff, Ron Piovesan and Delya Jansen

On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we’re focusing on partnerships and speaking with Gary Batroff, SVP of Sales and Partnerships at Thematic, and Ron Piovesan, Head of Technology Partnerships at Okta, Inc. Joining me as co-host is Delya Jansen, Founder and CEO of Partner.
Gary Batroff is a seasoned expert in software sales and consulting, with a proven track record of driving growth through innovative strategies and strategic partnerships. Over the past 15 years, he has specialized in Customer Experience (CX), helping businesses harness the power of data and analytics to build loyalty, reduce churn, and achieve transformational change.
As a natural connector and creative problem-solver, Gary excels at synthesizing diverse ideas into market-ready solutions that deliver measurable impact. His ability to identify opportunities and align them with actionable strategies has consistently helped companies stand out in competitive markets. Whether optimizing customer journeys or crafting data-driven strategies to enhance engagement, Gary is passionate about empowering businesses to exceed customer expectations and drive long-term success.
Ron Piovesan is the Head of Technology Partnerships at Okta, where he leads a team driving strategic collaborations across technology, service provider, and agency partnerships. With over nine years at Okta, Ron has played a pivotal role in shaping partnership strategies, aligning product roadmaps, and negotiating key deals—including cloud partnerships with Google Cloud Platform and global distribution agreements.
A seasoned business development executive, he specializes in creating new revenue streams, integration ecosystems, and go-to-market partnerships. Recognized as Innovator of the Year, Ron is passionate about building high-performing teams and setting industry-leading partnership goals. Beyond work, he enjoys teaching, music, and giving back to his community.
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact. Follow us on and listen to all our episodes on:
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📺 Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@siliconvalleyimpact
 
"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

S2 E4 - Alex Dang and SC Moatti

This Week on Silicon Valley Impact
On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we speak with Alex Dang, author of The Venture Mindset, and SC Moatti, General Partner at Mighty Capital.
About Alex Dang
Alex has spent over 20 years building innovations that make a difference. At Amazon and AWS AI, his teams launched groundbreaking eCommerce programs, redefined shopping experiences, and developed AI-driven products. During his time at McKinsey, he helped companies leverage technology to launch digital ventures and reimagine customer experiences.
During COVID, Alex co-founded and served as CEO of a digital health platform designed to connect cancer patients with the care they need.
He is also the co-author of The Venture Mindset, a bestselling guide to launching new ventures. Today, he advises global organizations on product and technology strategy while mentoring early-stage startups. Alex is passionate about exploring new ideas and using technology to create meaningful impact.
About SC Moatti
SC earned her MBA from Stanford and spent the first decade of her career as an entrepreneur and product manager, pioneering the cloud, mobile, and social revolutions with industry leaders like Siebel Systems and Meta. Her work has been recognized with awards from The Emmys and The Wall Street Journal, earning her a reputation as “a genius at making products people love.”
Her award-winning bestseller on what makes a great product led to the founding of Products That Count, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps professionals build outstanding products—reaching and inspiring 1 in 3 product managers globally.
SC’s journey into venture capital was a natural extension of her deep expertise in product management. Through her product community, she identified and invested in pioneering companies like Amplitude (NASDAQ: AMPL), Groq, and Canela. She co-founded Mighty Capital alongside her inimitable partner, Jennifer Vancini.
About Mighty Capital
Mighty Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that capitalizes on the growing influence of product management in corporate success. The firm leverages SC Moatti’s Products That Count network—comprising over 500,000 product managers and CPOs—to gain unique insights into emerging startups and corporate needs.
Mighty Capital’s focus on the product management revolution has led to high returns and minimized risk. The firm’s notable investments include Amplitude, Groq, and Canela. Founders and institutional investors praise Mighty Capital for its exceptional value, rapid execution, and ability to identify trends early.
Tune In to Silicon Valley Impact
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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions."
 

S2 E3 - Taj Tashombe, Founder and CEO of Canyon Oaks, and Aalim A. Moor II, Business Development for the San Francisco Giants

This week on Silicon Valley Impact, we’re diving into building community, global events, and the Sphere of Sports (sphereofsports.org) with Taj Tashombe, Founder and CEO of Canyon Oaks, and Aalim A. Moor II, Senior Manager of Sales and Business Development for the San Francisco Giants.
Taj is a visionary entrepreneur and connector with over 20 years of experience in sports, entertainment, branding, and public affairs. As the Founder and CEO of Canyon Oaks, a global advisory firm, Taj delivers transformative outcomes for high-profile projects across sports, media, hospitality, and technology—including marquee events like the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, and NBA All-Star Weekend.
He also founded Sphere of Sports, a premier thought-leadership platform that brings together industry leaders to foster innovation, investment, and collaboration during global marquee events.
A former executive with brands like Toyota, Hilton, and the Oakland Athletics, Taj is renowned for building strategic partnerships and delivering impactful results. He also leads House of Tashombe, a luxury fashion and lifestyle brand, combining his passion for innovation and cultural sophistication. Taj’s work bridges industries, creating opportunities that drive growth and long-term value.
Aalim Moor II is the Senior Manager of Sales and Business Development for the San Francisco Giants, where he focuses on identifying and pursuing strategic growth opportunities aligned with the organization’s vision. He excels in market research, partnership development, deal negotiation, public relations, and stakeholder management, playing a crucial role in driving the Giants’ outreach initiatives.
With a diverse portfolio of successful ventures, Aalim is dedicated to fostering economic empowerment in the Bay Area. He actively mentors young entrepreneurs and collaborates with local organizations to support aspiring business leaders.
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Disclaimer:The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.