Wealthing Podcast

In this episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley interviews Kartik Sathappan, the Founder and General Partner of Families Fund. Kartik shares his evolution from a small-town Ohio upbringing to becoming a patent-holding engineer at Apple. He recounts his "accidental" entry into venture capital, sparked by a curiosity for the business behind the tech he was building. The heart of the conversation focuses on Kartik's specific investment thesis: making America the premier destination for raising a family. He explains how he identifies high-growth opportunities in education and health that solve real-world "pain points" for parents. He and Alicia take a deep dive into two of his portfolio companies, Chalky and Pathfinder, which are revolutionizing literacy and educational funding. Beyond the numbers, Kartik discusses the spiritual and practical importance of equity ownership and shares his legacy goal: helping families spend more meaningful time together.   About Kartik: Kartik Sathappan is the Founder and General Partner of Families Fund, an early-stage venture fund backing founders rebuilding the family stack, the products and services families rely on across education, health, nutrition, fertility, and domestic automation. Families Fund invests at pre-seed and seed in companies selling directly to parents and modern households, with a focus on founders shaping the future of how families live. Before launching Families Fund, Kartik was a founder and operator, and his own experience as a parent sharpened his conviction that family life remains one of the most important and most underserved areas in technology.   His work sits at the intersection of venture, family formation, and long-term societal progress, with a belief that stronger families create stronger communities and a stronger future. He writes and speaks about entrepreneurship, parenthood, education, and the systems that shape everyday family life. Through Families Fund, he is building both an investment platform and a broader movement around backing the people and products helping families flourish.   About Families Fund: Families Fund is an early-stage venture fund backing founders rebuilding the family stack, the products and services families rely on across education, health, and domestic automation. The fund invests at pre-seed and seed, typically leading or participating with $100K to $250K initial checks in companies selling directly to parents or modern households.   Connect with Kartik: linkedin.com/in/kartiksathappan/ Families Fund: www.families.fund 🌐 Wealthing Club: www.wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Lise Birikundavyi, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of BKR Capital, Canada's first institutional VC fund focused on Black founders. Lise shares her professional evolution from the hedge fund world to the forefront of impact investing, sparked by the inequities she witnessed in how capital is distributed globally. Lise provides a candid look at the systemic hurdles she observed in Kenya, where local founders often face "geographic bias," and explains how BKR Capital is solving similar issues in North America. She details the success of BKR's $22M CAD Fund I and the strategic expansion of their $50M CAD Fund II, which takes a sector-agnostic, early-stage approach with international reach. Lise also provides a deep dive into BKR's investment in Moneta Health, illustrating how Lise looks for companies that provide tangible societal value. The conversation concludes with a heartfelt reflection on legacy, as Lise discusses how her "essence" as a caretaker and mother drives her to leave the world better than she found it.   About Lise: Lise Birikundavyi is the co-founder and managing partner for BKR Capital, the first institutional, black-led VC fund in Canada. Lise is an innovative finance specialist who has worked with several international institutions and acts as guest lecturer for prestigious organization, including Oxford University and the International Olympic Committee Accelerator managed by the Yunus Sports Hub. Lise also mentors and supports highly promising and impactful start-ups in emerging markets. She began her career in the hedge fund industry in Montreal and her interest in mixing attractive financial returns with long term societal impact is what inspired her to transition to the impact finance sector, a space in which she worked for a decade. She has experience across the investment spectrum: from funds of funds and VCs, to being the transition CEO of a tech start-up. Lise is a CFA charterholder; she also holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance / Shanghai JiaoTong University, where she wrote her thesis on impact investing, and a trilingual BBA from HEC Montreal. Lise is fluent in French, English and Spanish, and has a conversational level of Mandarin. She is a firm believer in using the forces of capital markets as a basis for more inclusive wealth creation and sustainable poverty alleviation. Connect with Lise: linkedin.com/in/lisebiri/  BKR Capital: https://www.bkrcapital.ca  Lise on TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/24/bkr-capital-raises-14-5m-so-far-to-invest-in-black-founders/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley talks with Cristina Stoyanov, a venture capitalist and scientist specializing in cell and gene therapy. Christina recounts her non-linear journey to the top of the biotech world, beginning with her move from Panama to the US in 1995. Originally intended as a short stay to study English, her path led to a PhD from Cornell and a deep immersion in the world of curative medicine. Christina outlines her current investment thesis, which focuses on the critical need for scalability in biotech. She explains why she prioritizes technologies that can bring life-changing cures to a global population, addressing the disparity of access between developed and developing nations. Additionally, Christina reflects on the advice she would give her younger self, specifically the power of patience in a fast-paced industry. The episode concludes with a look at her philosophy of wealthing, defined not by capital alone, but by the tangible impact of leaving the world better through scientific advancement.

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Laura Moreno Lucas, former Managing Director at NASDAQ turned venture investor, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of inclusive capital. Laura shares her journey from her upbringing in Guadalajara to the heights of the financial sector, detailing the non-linear path that led her to launch two distinct funds: L'ATTITUDE Ventures and Libra Leaders. She discusses her specific investment philosophies, focusing on U.S. Latino-founded companies and early-stage women-led startups. A central theme of the discussion is the strategic advantage found at the intersection of AI and female leadership. Beyond the numbers, the conversation highlights the personal side of wealth creation. Laura reflects on the importance of role modeling, sharing how she mentors her daughter and the next generation of leaders. Inspired by her father's legacy, Laura offers a thoughtful perspective on what it means to be an impact investor today and how she hopes to be remembered. The episode offers a compelling look at how institutional experience and personal purpose can combine to reshape the venture capital ecosystem.   About Laura: Laura Moreno Lucas is a General Partner at L'ATTITUDE Ventures, the largest Latino-led early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to investing in the U.S. Latino economic cohort, with over $100 million in assets under management. Previously, Laura served as Managing Director of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and was the founder of Pandocap, a strategic financial advisory firm, and Ladada, a fashion subscription company. She also mentors at accelerators such as Black Ambition and 500 Startups, and serves on the boards of multiple nonprofits. In her role at L'ATTITUDE Ventures, she focuses on transforming the investment landscape for Latino entrepreneurs. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, she immigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven and understands the challenges Latino founders face in scaling their startups, achieving product-market fit, and accessing capital markets. She recently launched a women's initiative called Libra Leaders, an effort aimed at tipping the scales of capital toward women. Centered around a network of visible leaders, the initiative promotes women's entrepreneurship to expand wealth creation and inspire a new generation of female business leaders. Connect with Laura: linkedin.com/in/lauraemoreno L'ATTITUDE Ventures: lattitudeventures.com Libra Leaders: libraleaders.com 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Avanthi Shah, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, technology architect, and founder of NextVerse Ventures, for a wide-ranging conversation on emerging tech and the evolution of self. Avanthi shares her professional trajectory, starting with her early experiences in programming during the 1990s and her transition into the high-stakes world of technology architecture. She discusses the mission of her new fund, NextVerse Ventures, which focuses on the transformative potential of Quantum Computing and AI in fields like cybersecurity and materials science. The discussion also touches on her commitment to social impact through her work with the microfinance organization FINCA. Beyond the technical, Avanthi offers a grounded look at the personal lessons that have defined her journey. She reflects on the advice she would give her 20-year-old self, specifically the necessity of setting boundaries and overcoming the impulse to people-please in professional environments. The interview concludes with a philosophical reflection on legacy, with Avanthi defining her essence through authenticity and the lasting value she aims to leave in the hearts of those she works with.

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Paul Essery, a mountaineer, entrepreneur, and podcast host, for a compelling discussion on the intersection of adventure and business strategy. Paul shares how his background in elite mountaineering provided a foundational framework for his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the critical roles of risk assessment, decision-making, and purposeful goal-setting. He reflects openly on his career trajectory, discussing the lessons learned about focusing on the "right" problems and the value of starting a venture sooner rather than later. The conversation also provides an analysis of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UK, highlighting the need for increased support for builders and founders. Together, Alicia and Paul explore the mechanics of "learning by doing" and the vital role of reflection in avoiding burnout. They touch on the complexities of the venture capital landscape and the necessity for founders to be protective of their time and energy. Grounded in the grit of high-stakes climbing, the episode offers a roadmap for navigating the unpredictable terrain of the startup world.

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Fabiano Cid, Chief Solutions Officer of Powerling, for a wide-ranging conversation on resilience, career evolution, and the global language services industry. Fabiano shares his unique trajectory, moving from early interests in acting and diplomacy to the founding of a successful localization firm. He reflects on his personal growth, including the experience of navigating his identity as a gay man and how that shaped his perspective on inclusivity and resilience. Fabiano highlights the strategic growth and eventual sale of Powerling, crediting his time living in London as a defining period that sharpened his focus and adaptability. Together, Alicia and Fabiano explore the intersection of artistic sensibility and business acumen, particularly in the context of adapting content for diverse global markets. The conversation concludes with a philosophical discussion on legacy, where Fabiano emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact and his hope for a world defined by more love and understanding.   About Fabiano: Fabiano Cid is Chief Solutions Officer at Powerling, where he seamlessly connects strategy with execution to enhance brand reach worldwide. With close to 30 years of experience, he has successfully led high-performing teams across three continents. He was the founder of Ccaps Translation and Localization, one of Latin America's most respected providers before merging with OXO Innovation in 2018. He also serves on the advisory board of Women in Localization, actively promoting equity, mentorship, and greater representation. Fabiano was recently named Global Content Wrangler and is the creator and host of SOFA, a series featuring candid conversations with thought leaders.   About Powerling: Powerling is the end-to-end solution to empower your content globally. The company orchestrates people, innovation and processes to help global organizations create, adapt, and scale content with consistency and impact.   Connect with Fabiano: linkedin.com/in/fabianocid 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Chuck Gershman, CEO and co-founder of Owl Autonomous Imaging, for a deep dive into the leadership philosophies that drive successful startups. Chuck shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on the critical importance of "time to decision" and the necessity of pivoting in the face of challenges. Drawing from their relationship as founder and investor, Alicia and Chuck discuss why the most effective investors often prioritize a team's resilience and adaptability over a static business model. Chuck also delineates the vital distinction between management and leadership, arguing that true leadership is defined by the ability to inspire a collective vision rather than just maintaining operational efficiency. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the "human" side of the C-suite, including Chuck's personal strategies for emotional stability and his commitment to mentorship as a form of legacy. Together, they offer a candid look at the challenges of the startup ecosystem and the grit required to build a company that lasts.   About Chuck: Charles "Chuck" Gershman is CEO and Co-Founder of Owl Autonomous Imaging (Owl AI), a leader in advanced uncooled LWIR thermal imaging and AI-enabled perception systems. Mr. Gershman is an inductee into the Drexel University College of Engineering Alumni Circle of Distinction — the highest honor bestowed upon its alumni. He was selected as a finalist for CMP Publications' (EE Times) prestigious ACE Award for High Technology Executive of the Year and was previously recognized as a Top 40 Healthcare Transformer by Medical Marketing & Media for his work advancing Clinical AI Decision Support systems for oncology applications. He holds four U.S. patents in microprocessor architecture and AI computer vision. With more than 30 years of experience in the technology and semiconductor industries, Mr. Gershman has led organizations across executive management, engineering, business development, sales, marketing, and strategic advisory roles. Over the course of his career, he has secured more than $200 million in U.S. Government contracts and closed over $500 million in technology sales. A serial entrepreneur, Mr. Gershman has served on the executive leadership teams of five startups, co-founding three, including Owl AI. He has led multiple successful exits, including acquisitions by Intel and PMC-Sierra. As CEO/COO and Board Director of three companies, he has raised more than $225 million in capital from venture capital, strategic investors, angel investors, and government funding sources.   Connect with Chuck: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckgershman/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Marinella Pinate, CEO of Zumma, for a conversation on the intersection of fintech innovation and operational discipline. Marinella shares the strategic journey of Zumma, detailing the company's evolution from its beginnings as an AI financial advisor app to its current focus on automating administrative financial processes. She provides an inside look at the challenges of building technology designed to cut through bureaucracy, explaining how Zumma uses AI to streamline invoicing and financial workflows for businesses. Together, Alicia and Marinella explore the realities of leadership in the startup ecosystem. Marinella reflects on her experiences managing diverse teams and navigating cultural differences, emphasizing that perseverance and adaptability are as critical as the technology itself. Grounded in the philosophy of living with purpose, the episode offers a candid look at what it takes to pivot a business successfully and maintain a clear mission in a complex global market.   About Marinella: Marinella Pinate is the co-founder and CEO of Zumma. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she grew up in a family of self-made entrepreneurs. She moved to Florida at the age of 13. She holds a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida and an MBA from MIT, where she focused on product management and entrepreneurship. Marinella started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she was part of the founding team at Marcus, the bank's digital consumer platform. She worked directly with the CFO and COO to build and scale the business, managing a $300M budget and leading cost reduction efforts that saved $130M for the bank. She also drove customer acquisition and product strategy for personal loans, overseeing the partnerships channel and generating over $20M in monthly revenue. Prior to founding Zumma, Marinella was Chief of Staff and part of the executive team at Arcus, a Y Combinator-backed fintech acquired by Mastercard. She has visited over 60 countries and has lived in 9 different cities. She brings a global perspective to problem-solving. She also enjoys running, dancing and scuba diving. She has completed the NYC Marathon and several half marathons. About Zumma: Zumma is building the future of autonomous finance: -Automating financial operations workflows starting with expense management and invoicing for companies. -Leveraging the tools companies already use like WhatsApp, Zumma is quickly becoming the category-defining company in this space. -Trusted by 500+ companies, including those of the likes of Gilead, Boston Scientific, Arcos Dorados (McDonald's operating partner in Latin America), Mega Alimentos, Swiss Just, and Italian Coffee.   -The company is quickly becoming the go to solution for expense invoicing in Mexico - owning and redefining a category that serves as a wedge for broader growth in autonomous finance -Backed by Techstars, Outside VC, and MIT -Team of previously bootstrapped founders and seasoned operators from MIT, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan & early-stage tech with track record of building and scaling products and businesses.   Connect with Marinella: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinella-pinate/ Zumma: https://www.zummafinancial.com/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Pooja Sharma Goyal, a former corporate executive turned social sector leader, for a conversation on the mechanics of scaling impact in India's evolving economy. Pooja details her transition from an engineering background to entrepreneurship, and eventually to her current work with The Udaiti Foundation. She shares her insights on the importance of recognizing "S-curves" in business growth—identifying when to pivot and how to navigate the plateaus that every organization faces. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on her mission to improve women's workforce participation in India, highlighting the need for scalable solutions that address deep-rooted systemic barriers. Together, Alicia and Pooja reflect on the broader challenges facing the global tech and social sectors, including the necessity of bridging cultural divides and mitigating bias within AI development. Grounded in Pooja's experience building startups, the conversation emphasizes that the greatest learning opportunities often reside within the initial hurdles of a venture's journey.   About Pooja: Pooja Sharma Goyal is the Founding CEO of The Udaiti Foundation, where she leads the foundation's mission of Closing the Gender Gap in India's workforce, with the aim of creating a more inclusive and equitable economic ecosystem, and enabling India to reach its true economic potential - of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047. Her work around gender-focussed initiatives is grounded in both professional experience and personal conviction shaped by years of navigating corporate leadership as a woman and building ventures while balancing caregiving responsibilities. A serial entrepreneur, Pooja co-founded Avishkaar, which established 2,500+ robotics labs globally, and Intellitots, later acquired by KLAY. She began her career in strategy consulting and then worked in the US with companies like Adobe and PalmSource where she led product and developer marketing. Her journey revealed how systemic inequities limit women's participation and inspired her to act. At Udaiti, she drives initiatives to scale women's workforce participation, promote gender-smart infrastructure, and foster financial inclusion. Through their flagship Close the Gender Gap 30x30 initiative, she collaborates with leading Indian companies and governments to raise women's representation in the formal workforce from 18% to 30% by 2030. Pooja is a Women Transforming India Awardee, an angel investor, a founding member of Plaksha and Ashoka University, and a Limited Partner at Appreciate Capital. She holds a B.Tech from IIT Delhi and an MBA from INSEAD.   Connect with Pooja: http://www.linkedin.com/in/poojasgoyal 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Mila Shabalina, an investor specializing in longevity and biotechnology, for a discussion on the personal and professional drivers behind healthcare innovation. Mila shares her unconventional trajectory from history and journalism to investing in the biotech sector. She discusses how her mother's battle with a rare neurodegenerative disease and her own near-death experience during childbirth served as catalysts for her career shift, leading her to seek a more purposeful role in supporting healthcare research. The conversation examines the intersection of compassion and investing, with Mila emphasizing the value of social awareness and the necessity of strong, collaborative alignment between founders and their investors. Together, Alicia and Mila explore the future of longevity science, highlighting potential breakthroughs in treatment while addressing the critical ethical questions society must face as life expectancy rises. Grounded in both scientific interest and human experience, the episode offers a thoughtful perspective on how capital can be used to address fundamental human challenges.   About Mila: Mila was born in the late Soviet Union to an economist and a process engineer. She graduated from Ural State University with an MA in the History of Culture and Arts in 1999. She worked as a journalist for over a decade in Russia, focusing on interviewing business founders. She moved to the U.S. with her family in 2014. She studied entrepreneurship at Golden Gate University, Stanford, and Columbia University. In 2016, she founded DIVO, an artisanal skincare brand pioneering organic, food-grade ingredients. She joined Wealthing VC Club in 2024 and subsequently became active in the longevity space. She is a member of the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (A4LI).   Connect with Mila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mila-shabalina 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Preetha Ram, a scientist, educator, and venture capitalist at Pier 70 Ventures, for a deep dive into the evolution of global healthcare and the power of intentional career transitions. Preetha shares the story of her "quantum leap" from her roles as a scientist and Dean at Emory College to becoming a Silicon Valley investor. Drawing on her experience scaling an EdTech platform to 60 million users, she explains her shift toward venture capital as a means to solve global health challenges at scale. The conversation explores her current investment thesis: building a disease-free future through patient-centric, data-driven, and AI-enabled healthcare solutions. Together, Alicia and Preetha discuss the critical roles of preparation and intuition in seizing life-changing opportunities. They reflect on the collaborative spirit of Silicon Valley and the necessity of moving from transactional networking to genuine, relationship-based community building. Grounded in optimism, the episode highlights Preetha's personal commitment to helping others and her vision for creating generational wealth by solving the generational problems of our time.   About Preetha: Preetha Ram, PhD, is a Managing Partner at Pier 70 Ventures, where she architects the "Future of Health" through a high-impact 3D investment strategy focused on the convergence of Drugs, Devices, and Digital Health. A driving force for gender equity in finance, Preetha is actively building a powerful community of women VCs in the Valley, leveraging her role as an LP in How Women Invest and her leadership on the Board of TiE Silicon Valley to mentor the next generation of female check-writers. A Yale-trained scientist and exit-tested CEO, she previously scaled the learning platform OpenStudy to 60 million global users, securing multimillion-dollar backing from the NSF, NIH, and the Gates Foundation. Today, she bridges the gap between cutting-edge research from top-tier universities and global Fortune 200 networks, serving as a Director for Pelvital and a strategic advisor to disruptive health-tech startups.   About Pier 70 Ventures: Pier 70 Ventures is a venture capital powerhouse architecting the future of healthcare through its high-velocity "3D" investment strategy: a concentrated focus on the convergence of Drugs, Devices, and Digital health. The firm capitalizes on the next generation of clinical breakthroughs, from AI-driven drug discovery to intelligent medical devices. By securing priority access to disruptive, patent-pending research from the world's leading universities, accelerators, and incubators, Pier 70 identifies science-backed technologies at their most critical inflection points. Led by elite operators with deep roots at institutions like Eli Lilly, the firm integrates institutional operational expertise with a global Fortune 200 network to scale transformative innovations that are fundamentally redefining the modern healthcare landscape.  Come join us in our mission to build the future of health.   Connect with Preetha: linkedin.com/in/preetharam Pier 70 Ventures: www.pier70ventures.com 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Ruban Kanapathippillai, a seasoned computer engineer and entrepreneur, for an expansive look at the journey from startup founder to billion-dollar value creator. Ruban shares his inspiring trajectory from his roots in Sri Lanka to founding high-growth tech companies in the United States. He offers a grounded perspective on the rise of Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing the importance of understanding its limitations while leveraging its strengths in enterprise and medical applications. Throughout the conversation, Ruban highlights how fostering diverse teams and empowering others were central to building companies that exceeded $1.3 billion in value. The episode concludes with a look at Ruban's current focus: mentorship. He discusses his commitment to coaching underprivileged entrepreneurs via LinkedIn and other platforms, reflecting on the importance of human connection and providing guidance to those who need it most. Together, Alicia and Ruban explore what it truly means to build a legacy that extends beyond the balance sheet.   About Ruban: Over the past 30 years, Ruban has developed a deep business and technical understanding of hardware, software, and systems areas including Compute, Networking, and Storage areas. Ruban was a founding team member of two successful Silicon Valley start-ups, VxTel (VoIP) acquired by Intel for US$550m and Virident (Storage) acquired by WDC for US$720m. Ruban holds more than 30 US-granted patents in the areas of semiconductor chip and system designs, applications, and algorithms. His focus lies in scaling technology and products from ideas to enterprise class products as an engineering leader, product architect, and customer technology evangelist.  Ruban is a well-respected veteran of Silicon Valley and graduated from Stanford University with a Masters degree in Electrical and Computer engineering, a Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with the highest honor Summa Cum Laude, and a minor in Economics. Ruban was originally from the war-torn Northern province of Sri Lanka where he escaped the brutal war and migrated to the US via Botswana, Africa.   Connect with Ruban: linkedin.com/in/rubankk/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Jan, the organizer of EcoSummit in Berlin, for a compelling conversation on the evolution of climate tech and the enduring importance of human connection in the investment world. Jan shares his 15-year journey of building the Eco Summit into a premier destination for sustainability-focused startups and investors. He reflects on his personal path to Berlin and his dedication to fostering a low-carbon economy through invitation-only events that prioritize deep, personal relationships over transactional networking. Together, Alicia and Jan explore the current state of the green innovation ecosystem, with Alicia drawing on her 20 years of teaching entrepreneurship to discuss the necessity of humility and the unique challenges facing today's tech founders. The conversation highlights a shared vision for a more sustainable future and the critical role that disciplined strategy and authentic community play in solving the planet's most pressing environmental challenges.   About Jan: Jan Michael Hess is the Founder and CEO of Ecosummit. Ecosummit Berlin 25-26 March 2026 accelerates startups and investors in climate tech, energy, mobility and buildings to decarbonise our economy and save our climate with the help of AI. The 2-day pitch event enables fundraising, lead and co-investing, portfolio development, open innovation, corporate venturing and M&A. Since 2010, Ecosummit organised 25 conferences, 25 online events and published 1,585 videos on Youtube. Before Ecosummit, Jan worked in the internet and mobile telecom industry as a project manager and strategy consultant. He holds a diploma degree in Business Administration from University of Mannheim and studied 1 year abroad at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.   Connect with Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janmichaelhess/   Ecosummit: https://ecosummit.net   🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Preeti Adhikary, the founder of Momo Ventures, for an engaging discussion on the power of inclusive investing and the journey of building a mission-driven venture fund. Preeti shares the highlights of her diverse career path and the inspiration behind Momo Ventures, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the fund's first year of operations. She delves into her unique investment approach and what she looks for when evaluating founders, sharing early successes from her portfolio and her strategic plans for the year ahead. Together, Alicia and Preeti explore the vital role of cultural perspective in the startup world and how technology can be leveraged to create more equitable business ecosystems. Their conversation emphasizes the importance of community-building and Preeti's deep-seated passion for championing underrepresented founders to create a lasting, positive impact on the future of innovation. About Preeti: Preeti Adhikary is the General Partner of Momo VC, a US-based early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to supporting underrepresented founders. She is also the Founder of The Great Nepali Diaspora (founded in 2022), a global nonprofit community that brings together exceptional Nepali talent to foster connection, collaboration, and camaraderie. In addition, she founded Empowered Women, an initiative focused on connecting and uplifting Nepali women across the globe. Preeti holds a Master of Advanced Management from Yale School of Management and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. Prior to Yale SOM, she served as Vice President of Marketing and Operations at Fusemachines Inc. in New York City, which became the first company founded by a Nepali entrepreneur to go public on NASDAQ in 2025 (Ticker: FUSE).  With nearly 20 years of experience spanning technology startups, banking, and the nonprofit sector, Preeti is deeply committed to building and supporting community-driven ventures that generate meaningful social and economic impact.   About Momo VC: Momo VC invests in pre-seed/seed stages of technology startups in the following sectors - AI, cybersecurity, healthtech, biotech, fintech and sustainability. They have made 4 investments so far from the $2.2 million Fund I. Preeti Adhikary and Sajan Gautam are the two General Partners of the fund. Momo VC has an ecosystem builder approach to venture investing and is building an expert network in each of their sector focus areas.    Connect with Preeti: linkedin.com/in/preetiadhikary Momo VC: momo-vc.com 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Leesa Soulodre for a wide-ranging conversation on global entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the long game of building value with intention.  Leesa shares her entrepreneurial journey and her current work across Luxembourg's innovation ecosystem, including her involvement with the Luxembourg Innovation Agency and the Luxembourg Supercomputing Center, offering a window into how public-private collaboration can fuel cutting-edge innovation. Leesa discusses her company's global expansion and the success of its fund, highlighting the Planet 43 program and the growth in portfolio value achieved through disciplined strategy and long-term vision.  Together, Alicia and Leesa explore core themes in venture capital: from market positioning and ethical considerations to the importance of trust, alignment, and enduring relationships between founders and investors. Grounded in personal experiences, the conversation reflects on the real challenges and opportunities within the startup ecosystem and what it takes to build companies and partnerships that last. About Leesa: Leesa Soulodre is Managing Partner of R3i Capital and Planet43, and Founder of the R3i Future Intelligence Lab. Through R3i, she has deployed capital across deep tech sectors including AI governance, climate resilience, healthcare, quantum computing, and water intelligence, guiding hundreds of corporations and funding more than 350 startups globally. At the core of her work is the Future Intelligence Lab, a proprietary intelligence platform designed to capture regulatory alpha at scale amid the €130 trillion global regulatory repricing. Using its ES-RAS™ framework, the Lab has analyzed over 119,000 companies, built a 250TB proprietary dataset, generated 1,000+ IP assets, and launched multiple spinouts across healthcare, regtech, fintech, and space.  Previously, Soulodre helped embed ESG and risk intelligence into 200+ institutional portfolios through advisory roles at RepRisk and GMI Ratings, shaping how global capital is allocated. Today, she serves on investment committees and boards across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia, teaches at leading business schools, and contributes to global AI and governance standards. A TRIUM Global Executive MBA graduate, she is building a multi-generational venture platform with a $1B deployment vision—proving that systematic intelligence, breakthrough technology, and real-world impact belong together. Connect with Leesa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesasoulodre/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Diana Kleps, whose journey from the Dominican Republic to building a multi-industry career in the United States reflects a deep commitment to work ethic, service, and human connection. Diana shares how her early experiences shaped her belief in giving back, and how roles across banking and psychology taught her that emotional intelligence is one of the most powerful tools in business. She and Alicia explore the importance of building genuine relationships, setting boundaries, and fostering company cultures where people feel valued and heard. Their conversation moves through the practical and the personal—how to seek and integrate feedback, how understanding human psychology strengthens sales and leadership, and how technology continues to reshape the way we connect and work. They close with a thoughtful discussion on legacy, trust, and what it means to create impact across both personal and professional spheres.   About Diana: Diana Kleps is a business development and partnerships leader known for building B2B high-trust relationships, scaling revenue engines, and architecting high-performing cultures. With more than 17 years in sales across technology, financial services, real estate, and enterprise partnerships, Diana specializes in go-to-market strategy, negotiations, M&A, and strategic growth for organizations across North America, LATAM, Europe, and APAC. She has led teams through complex deal cycles, launched products, cultivated investor and stakeholder relationships, and helped enterprises and high-growth companies unlock new markets, improve sales performance, and build scalable systems rooted in trust, agility, accountability, and culture. Diana's leadership blends buying behaviors, business strategy, and relationship excellence while driving results and elevating people, purpose, and performance. Diana uses her Harvard graduate training in organizational performance and human dynamics to leverage her sales expertise––converting trust into revenue, alignment into velocity, and relationship excellence into sustained growth. Connect with Diana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakleps/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Benjamin Holmes and Nathan Castro, co-founders of Nanochon, a company bringing a new approach to cartilage repair into the world. Their journey from academic research labs to biomedical innovation reveals how curiosity and persistence can reshape the future of regenerative medicine. Ben and Nathan trace their path from early experiments in biomedical engineering and 3D printing to the creation of Nanochon. They share how each stage of their nine-year journey—iterative design, animal trials, regulatory navigation, and funding rounds, including support from Wealthing—shaped both their technology and their vision. Alicia and her guests dive into the promise of next-generation cartilage repair, exploring what it means to move a deep-tech medical innovation from concept to clinical reality. They discuss the challenges of translational science, the patience required to prove safety and efficacy, and the excitement of preparing to treat their first human patient. From scientific rigor to entrepreneurial resilience, this episode highlights the long arc of building meaningful medical breakthroughs—and the impact possible when innovation, discipline, and mission-driven leadership come together.   About Ben: Dr. Ben Holmes is the co-founder and CEO of Nanochon. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The George Washington University, where his research focused on tissue engineering, biomaterials, and 3D printing for orthopedic applications. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia. Since founding Nanochon in 2016, Ben has led the company through scientific development, IP creation, regulatory planning, and capital formation. Under his leadership, Nanochon has raised over $13.5 million to date across both dilutive and non-dilutive sources, including federal SBIR grants, venture capital investment, and strategic partnerships. He was instrumental in driving the company's novel Chondrograft™ implant through 12-month large-animal studies and into its upcoming first-in-human trial, following Health Canada approval. Ben also serves as a public advocate for early-stage biotech, regularly appearing at industry events, investor forums, and in other public forums.  About Nathan: Dr. Nathan J. Castro is an experienced biomedical researcher and entrepreneur.  He has assisted in the design, testing, regulatory approval and clinical translation of 3D printed medical devices, as well as co-founded Nanochon, Inc.  He is skilled in policy analysis, life sciences, data analysis, and quantitative research with particular interest in clinical translational (bench-to-bedside)   Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbhceo/ Connect with Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-j-castro/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Lisa Nelson—financial professional, advisor, and immigrant leader—whose journey from Serbia to New York City reveals how resilience and authenticity can shape a powerful career in finance and beyond. Lisa traces her path from Merrill Lynch to the fast-paced world of inter-dealer brokerage, sharing how each step honed her adaptability, sharpened her decision-making, and reinforced the value of taking calculated risks. She and Alicia explore what it means to remain true to oneself while navigating competitive environments, and how her early experiences as an immigrant continue to inform her leadership. They also dive into Lisa's current advisory and board work across disruptive technologies, including her perspective on AI's expanding role in trading and market dynamics. Through these reflections, she highlights her commitment to inspiring others—particularly those forging new paths—by sharing her story and hard-won insights. From cultural adaptation to technological transformation, this episode underscores the power of courage, curiosity, and mentorship. It invites listeners to imagine what's possible when lived experience, professional expertise, and a global perspective come together.   About Lisa: Lisa Nelson is a strategic operator and advisor known for transforming vision into disciplined, measurable execution. With a career built across financial services—from Wall Street trading floors to executive boardrooms—she has led global transformations, pricing strategies, post-merger integrations, and culture alignment initiatives that consistently drive sustainable growth. Lisa specializes in helping high-growth companies think like enterprises without sacrificing agility. She partners with founders and CEOs to streamline operations, optimize go-to-market and pricing strategies, and build resilient organizational structures that can scale. As an investor, she focuses on fintech, AI, biotech, and data-driven ventures that challenge conventional thinking and reshape industries. Deeply curious and mission-driven, Lisa is passionate about the evolving intersections of neuroscience, neurotechnology, longevity, and AI ethics. She is equally committed to fostering communities of exceptional women and elevating innovation that advances both business and society. Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-lisa-nelson/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Luke Hohmann—entrepreneur, technologist, game developer, and writer—whose unconventional journey from Buffalo to Silicon Valley reveals how creativity and community can shape a more equitable future. Luke traces his path across startups, self-built ventures, and the world of game design, sharing how each chapter of his career informed his passion for collaborative budgeting and civic engagement. He and Alicia dive into the promise of participatory budgeting in schools, exploring how involving students and communities in financial decision-making can strengthen educational ecosystems—even as the pandemic posed unexpected hurdles to its implementation. From community-driven resource allocation to a techno-optimist vision of technology as a force for good, this episode highlights the power of gratitude, resilience, and the choice to use one's professional skills in service of others. It's a conversation that inspires listeners to imagine what's possible when innovation and empathy come together.   About Luke: Luke is a four-time author, three-time founder, SAFe® Fellow, investor, and internationally recognized expert in Agile Product Management, Portfolio Management, and Software Development. Coming from Silicon Valley, he knows how to help founders and business leaders build sustainably profitable businesses, because it is only through sustainable profits that a business can thrive. He's also a game designer who especially enjoys bringing joy to people and organizations through play.   Connect with Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukehohmann/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley, PhD, MBA, MSci, sits down with Nigist Goytom, founder of Ha:Hu::, a pioneering company transforming the way cultural and linguistic knowledge is preserved and shared. Nigist traces her remarkable journey from to social entrepreneurship—beginning with her mission to create Amharic learning materials for her son and evolving into a scalable platform that empowers communities to document, celebrate, and exchange cultural data. Together, she and Alicia delve into the enduring value of stories and proverbs as vessels of wisdom, the fusion of language and AI in cultural preservation, and the exciting potential of gamification to make education both meaningful and engaging. Blending heritage with innovation, this episode is a powerful exploration of how technology can help safeguard identity, nurture connection, and inspire a new generation of culturally conscious entrepreneurs.   About Nigist: Nigist was born and raised in Ethiopia. She gaduated in Architecture from Addis Abeba University (EIABC), and completed her Masters in Architecture Art and City in Rome Italy (Roma Tre). She tarted to practice architecture in Zürich and eventually switched to the Edtech startup world through Ha Hu. She is a wife and mother to three fantastic kids. She enjoys and appreciates all sorts of art and expressions very much.  About Ha:Hu::: Ha:Hu:: is a women-led, data-focused EdTech startup tackling the loss of indigenous languages and the resulting learning poverty. Through our AI-powered digital platform, Bee Educate,  we archive, digitize, and gamify underrepresented writing systems and languages — making them accessible to diaspora families, schools, and cultural institutions. Our work not only preserves linguistic heritage but also provides high-quality training data for AI companies developing models in small and niche languages.   Connect with Nigist: linkedin.com/in/nigist-goytom-4652b779/?originalSubdomain=ch 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks to guest Michel Thomas about his remarkable journey from publishing to media, charting the evolution of his company from print storytelling to television and the launch of the Eco Channel—the first green TV channel in the United States. Michel reflects on the vision behind pioneering environmentally focused media and the mission to elevate sustainability conversations in mainstream entertainment. The discussion highlights Earth Week and major events in Fort Lauderdale, emphasizing corporate responsibility, environmental consciousness, and community-driven initiatives. Throughout the episode, the speakers underscore the importance of honoring human connection in an increasingly digital world, reminding us that technology should support—not replace—the relationships that drive meaningful progress. They explore the value of continuous learning and adaptability in business, along with the significance of individual action in environmental stewardship. Michel shares his optimism for the future, speaking to the power of awareness, collaboration, and preserving natural environments as critical steps toward creating a healthier planet. This episode offers an inspiring look at the media's role in shaping sustainability culture, the personal commitments behind mission-driven leadership, and the hopeful belief that small actions can fuel big impact.   About Michel Thomas: Michael received his formal education from the Sorbonne University and the École Polytechnique in Paris. He has built a distinguished career at the intersection of creativity, media, and business strategy, with extensive experience in sales, marketing, publishing, event management, and production. Upon relocating to New York, Michel founded Accents on Hair, an upscale bilingual beauty industry publication distributed across 30 U.S. states and 10 countries. The magazine achieved immediate success, selling 30,000 copies within its first month of release.   In response to the evolving media landscape, Michel established International Event and Media Consulting in 2004, focusing on event production, publishing, and marketing initiatives. Building on this success, he founded VSN Media in 2010, a creative agency specializing in video production and brand development for the beauty, fashion, health, and luxury lifestyle sectors. Under his leadership, VSN Media launched The ECO Channel, recognized as the first "green" multimedia platform in the United States.   About the ECO Channel: The ECO Channel is the first "green" television network in the United States and a global multimedia platform dedicated to advancing sustainability, innovation, and positive impact. Available on Roku, Amazon TV, and other major streaming platforms, it reaches an international audience with original programming that celebrates eco-conscious living, forward-thinking innovation, and real-world environmental solutions.   Through original series, documentaries, and live event collaborations, The ECO Channel has become a trusted voice in the global sustainability movement. Partnering with over 40 organizations worldwide, the network amplifies initiatives that inspire change. Its signature event, Earth Week Miami, now in its sixth season, stands as a premier international celebration of our planet and a showcase of creativity, leadership, and commitment to a sustainable future.   Connect with Michel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelthomasm/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Natasha Tsakos, a visionary artist bridging the worlds of theater and space exploration, to uncover how creativity can truly transcend gravity itself. Natasha shares her remarkable journey from the stage to the stratosphere, revealing the inspirations behind Paraboles—a groundbreaking multimedia performance in microgravity that fuses dance, theater, cinema, and science. Together, she and Alicia explore the rigorous training required to perform in weightlessness, the intricate balance of merging art and technology, and the boundless curiosity that drives her mission to reimagine human expression beyond Earth. From artistic innovation to personal transformation, this episode celebrates the courage to chase seemingly impossible dreams—and invites listeners to join a cultural movement that expands both imagination and community.   About Natasha: Natasha Tsakos is an award-winning showmaker creating theatrical adventures at the intersection of art, technology, and space. Her work has spanned the G20 Summit, Super Bowl with Cirque du Soleil, TED, Discovery Channel, and Tribeca Film Festival. She speaks at global platforms including the United Nations General Assembly and Google, exploring how performance, science, and technology drive human transformation. With training from NASA, MIT's New Space Economy program, and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, Tsakos is developing PARABOLES, the first prototype for the performing arts in space, captured aboard Zero-G aircraft in partnership with MIT Space Exploration Initiative. The project culminates in an art film, docuseries, immersive installation, and training curriculum for future artists working in space environments. A founding member of a NASA-awarded space food startup, Tsakos is building the cultural infrastructure for humanity's expansion beyond Earth. Her mission: to become the theatrical foundation of the space industry, creating utterly original performance on Earth and in orbit.   Connect with Natasha: linkedin.com/in/natashatsakos/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Payel Farasat, former asset manager and current impact investor, to discuss the intersection of finance, dignity, and sustainability. Payel shares her journey from traditional asset management to her work with FINCA International, where she champions the concept of "Return on Dignity"—an approach that measures success not just in profits, but in human impact. Together, she and Alicia reflect on their shared experiences as immigrants, Alicia's research on money and happiness, and how dignity serves as a bridge between business and well-being. From emerging markets to everyday choices, this episode challenges us to imagine a more humane approach to investing—one that uplifts both investors and founders alike.   About Payel: Payel Farasat helps capital grow up, not just grow. A global growth advisor to funds, ventures, and nonprofits, including FINCA International, Payel works at the intersection of finance, inclusion, and storyproving, helping investors and founders build systems that are both profitable and purposeful. She often says "capital grows quarterly, but capital grows up when it learns patience because real resilience doesn't happen on quarterly timelines." With roots in Silicon Valley asset management and a career spanning impact finance, philanthropy, and emerging markets, Payel has become a leading voice in reimagining how money moves from transactional to transformational. Her work proves that impact investing is the future of outperforming. Known for her belief that "the best returns compound not in dollars, but in dignity," Payel brings a rare blend of strategic rigor and soulful storytelling to the world of resilient finance, which reminds us that capital grows not just faster, but wiser, when it remembers its purpose.   Connect with Payel: linkedin.com/in/payelfarasat/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks with Naava Mashiah, CEO of ME LINKS and Geneva-based impact investing specialist, about how private capital can help unlock Africa's potential. A former Israeli diplomat, Naava now works with family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals to channel investment into emerging markets through innovative, sustainable financial structures. She shares how a single photograph from the refugee crisis inspired her mission to mobilize capital for social good, and how firsthand experience can reshape the way investors view opportunity. A conversation on legacy, purpose, and the ripple effects of intentional investing—showing how small actions can build a more equitable world.   About Naava: Naava is the CEO of ME LINKS, a financial advisory firm serving ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices. The firm specializes in designing innovative financial structures and investment models with a focus on sustainability. Currently, Naava is leading initiatives to mobilize private capital from family offices into emerging market opportunities through creative and impact-oriented financial vehicles. She is also the founder of The GlassBox: Unlocking Capital from Family Offices, an online course that equips enterprise leaders with practical tools to engage family offices and raise capital effectively. In addition, Naava serves as Director of The Founders Kitchen, a private equity fund investing in disruptive Israeli high-tech ventures.  A former Israeli diplomat, Naava has spent over two decades fostering economic cooperation across the MENA region. She has been an active member of YPO since 2015, holding numerous leadership roles at the chapter, regional, and international levels—including Impact Officer for Europe and Financial Services Network Chair. Naava also advises the Global Steering Group for Impact Investing (GSG) and serves on several distinguished boards and committees, including the Swiss Romande Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the WIZO UN Member Council, and the International Advisory Board of the Jerusalem Press Club and Mishkenot Sha'ananim Cultural Center. She is a founding member of the Israeli-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Israeli Forum for Impact Economy, and an expert judge for MassChallenge Switzerland. Her insights on Middle Eastern affairs have appeared in Status Magazine, Common Ground News, Khaleej Times, and Daily News Egypt, and her firm ME LINKS has been featured in Globes. Connect with Naava: Naava Mashiah LinkedIn 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks with filmmaker and advocate Catherine Gray about her journey from television advertising to advocating for underrepresented populations in entrepreneurship. Catherine shares how projects like I Can't Marry You and She Angels have elevated LGBTQ rights and women's empowerment, and how storytelling can shape culture and drive impact. They discuss the progress women have made in entrepreneurship, the importance of mindset and alignment, and the value of focusing energy on supportive communities. Catherine also highlights the success of her documentary Show Her the Money, which has toured over 100 cities and helped demystify venture capital for new audiences. The conversation is an insightful look at legacy, resilience, and using media to spark meaningful change.   About Catherine: Catherine Gray is the Executive Producer of the Show Her The Money movie, as well as a venture capitalist, Author, Keynote and TEDx Speaker, and Host of the Invest in Her Podcast. Catherine is also the Founder/CEO of She Angel Investors and Co-Founder of the She Angels Foundation.  As CEO of She Angel Investors' multi-media platform, Catherine helps connect founders and funders to resources and to each other. She has a new book out that is the same name as the movie: Show Her The Money. It's about the riveting personal stories of the founders and funders behind the movie and the movement. Connect with Catherine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinelgray/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Marko Gargenta, founder of Plus Plus, a learning platform used by leading tech companies like Salesforce and Netflix. Marko shares his journey from teaching tech to building tools that scale institutional knowledge and empower professional growth. Alicia and Marko explore the importance of aligning work with personal purpose, the privilege of building with exceptional teams, and how AI is reshaping creativity, bias, and our understanding of what it means to be human. They discuss the risks of algorithmic misrepresentation, the challenges of maintaining trust at scale, and the philosophical questions emerging at the intersection of consciousness and technology. The conversation offers a thoughtful look at learning, legacy, and how education can drive personal evolution in an increasingly AI-driven world. Connect with Marko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markogargenta/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks with Aaron Fitzgerald, a three-time founder and carbon removal entrepreneur reimagining how we manufacture the materials that shape our world. As CEO of Mars Materials, Aaron leads a team of "Planeteers" working to embed captured carbon into industrial supply chains—unlocking a trillion-dollar market opportunity while securing critical resources like freshwater and clean materials for transportation and energy. Aaron shares his journey from growing up in poverty to working in the U.S. Senate, and ultimately building a climate tech company backed by organizations like Breakthrough Energy and Shell. He opens up about the personal and professional turning points that shifted his focus from profit to purpose, and how a chance moment at Lake Tahoe reframed his relationship to opportunity and legacy. The conversation highlights Mars Materials' breakthrough in developing a sustainable, cost-competitive form of acrylonitrile—an essential chemical used in carbon fiber and water treatment—alongside a major partnership with industry leader SNF. Alicia and Aaron also reflect on capitalism as a force for good, the role of storytelling in innovation, and the importance of thinking beyond business.   Connect with Aaron: linkedin.com/in/fitzgeraldaaron/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes David Isaac Mathews, Founder AIPath.one. David shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and the creation of AIPath, a SaaS platform that simulates decision-making to align product and marketing strategy.   Alicia and David explore the challenges leaders face when navigating uncertainty, the importance of empathy and structure in strategic work, and how AI can be both a powerful tool and a source of unintended bias. They discuss the future of technology in business, the evolving nature of leadership, and what it means to build systems that help—not replace—human judgment. Along the way, David reflects on the lessons he's learned from scaling a company, productizing insights, and building with intention. The conversation offers thought-provoking insight into the practical uses of AI, the complexity of strategic choices, and the often-overlooked trade-offs involved in innovation and growth. Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidisaacm/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Viktorija Trimbel, Managing Director of Coinvest Capital and a pioneering force in European venture capital. With over three decades of experience in strategic management and finance, Viktorija has shaped a unique approach to investment that blends innovation, fairness, and long-term ecosystem building. Under her leadership, Coinvest Capital has redefined what it means to co-invest by introducing a groundbreaking profit-sharing model that caps the fund's internal rate of return and passes surplus gains to private investors. This bold model has helped the fund achieve extraordinary recognition: #1 in Lithuania in 2023 and 2024 (Dealroom), #3 in Central & Eastern Europe in 2024 (Pitchbook), and #7 in Europe in Q2 2025 (Sifted). With 49 startups co-invested and 6 successful exits, the fund has already deployed more than €53 million in partnership with private investors. Alicia and Viktorija dive into the philosophy behind this model and why it challenges traditional VC practices. Viktorija explains how aligning investor incentives not only makes venture capital more inclusive but also strengthens the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem. They discuss the role of collective intelligence and flux networks in shaping the future of business and society, and why she believes collaboration and shared success are essential for building wealth at scale. The conversation also touches on Viktorija's broader journey as a leader. From being recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Tech in Europe (2012) to making history as the first Lithuanian woman to serve as Governor of Rotary International District 1462, her story reflects both resilience and vision. She shares insights into Lithuania's growing startup ecosystem, what makes it unique, and the lessons it can offer to other markets worldwide. This is an inspiring and forward-looking dialogue about capital, community, and the future of wealth creation — one that highlights how innovative thinking and purposeful leadership can transform not just portfolios, but entire societies. Connect with Viktorija: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktorijatrimbel/ 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Dr. Manuela Raith, a seasoned global executive and entrepreneur whose career spans senior leadership roles in major multinationals, groundbreaking start-ups, and now, a thriving social enterprise. With over 20 years in senior management across Europe, Asia, and Africa, Manuela has built a reputation as a turnaround manager, innovator, and mentor. From restructuring Siemens' IT services in China, to scaling Solarkiosk's solar-powered platforms across Africa, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to transform organizations and empower local teams. Today, she is the co-founder and Managing Partner of MWINGI Kenya Ltd., a tech-enabled, scalable social enterprise that provides essential food and household products to underserved communities at the last mile. By leveraging a robust ERP and PoS system and an innovative franchise model, MWINGI has already established more than 160 shops and is on track to scale to thousands more, bringing affordable essentials and economic opportunity to bottom-of-the-pyramid markets. 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes veteran technology executive and entrepreneur Mark Edwards, whose remarkable career spans some of the most transformative phases in computing and healthcare innovation. Mark began his journey at tech giants Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft UK, where he helped skyrocket the Windows operating system's market share from under 10% to over 90%. He later founded CRT Multimedia, whose product became a top-five software bestseller in the US. His leadership continued through key roles at Psion Computers and Symbian, where he helped steer global strategy as smartphones emerged on the world stage. As CEO of Mformation Technologies, Mark drove the company to the forefront of mobile device management, then led Aylus Networks through its evolution in mobile video and communications. Today, Mark is co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of ViewMind, a healthtech company using cutting-edge eye-tracking technology to revolutionize early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline. In this conversation, Mark shares: His unconventional path through tech and entrepreneurship What it takes to scale innovation across industries How ViewMind is tackling one of healthcare's biggest challenges: early cognitive assessment Lessons learned from decades of leading teams at the intersection of software, data, and human impact Whether you're a tech entrepreneur, investor, or curious mind, this episode offers insights into the future of innovation—both digital and biological. https://thewfund.com 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this inspiring and energizing episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Kate Brodock—CEO of SWITCH and General Partner at The W Fund—for a candid conversation on reshaping the future of tech through gender equity, venture capital, and decisive leadership. Kate shares her two-decade journey in the startup world, from leading a global 60+ chapter organization focused on women in tech, to building SWITCH into a powerful global ecosystem advancing representation in innovation. As a seasoned operator and investor, she opens up about the urgent need to rethink how capital is allocated, why representation matters at the investor level, and how women and underrepresented founders are already building the future—we just need to pay attention. The conversation covers practical strategies for founders, the challenges of rewriting systems from the inside, and what it takes to make real, lasting change in venture capital and beyond. Kate and Alicia dive into her work with The W Fund, the importance of networks like Techstars, and how her lived experiences on a hops farm in Upstate New York influence her leadership style and personal resilience. https://switchthefuture.com https://thewfund.com 🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this insightful episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks with Shyam Natarajan, PhD, a biomedical engineer turned medtech innovator who is transforming how we detect and treat prostate cancer. As the co-founder and CEO of Avenda Health, Shyam shares how his work is reshaping patient outcomes through precision medicine, machine learning, and image-guided therapies. A former NIH-funded professor at UCLA in urology, surgery, and bioengineering, Shyam explains how he transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship to address a critical need: improving treatment for the one in seven men at risk for prostate cancer. His company's platform leverages AI to guide targeted therapies—offering a less invasive, more personalized alternative to traditional treatments. The conversation dives deep into the science behind Avenda's platform, the challenges of commercializing medical technology, and what it takes to bring academic research to the real world. From his time in the lab to his leadership in the boardroom, Shyam's journey is a powerful example of innovation driven by purpose. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe to the Wealthing Podcast for more inspiring conversations! 🌐 Visit avendahealth.com  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Young Juhn, CEO and co-founder of Wellysis Corp., a digital health startup spun off from Samsung. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare business across the U.S. and South Korea, Young brings a unique global perspective on health technology, corporate innovation, and entrepreneurship. Young shares his journey from building enterprise IT systems at Johnson & Johnson and leading digital health strategy at Kaiser Permanente, to spearheading global healthcare innovations at Samsung SDS. He dives into how Wellysis is leveraging cross-Samsung technologies—such as BioProcessors, AI platforms, clinical data, and personal devices—to deliver cutting-edge solutions in wearable health monitoring. This conversation covers the future of remote patient monitoring, the challenges of spinning off a startup from a major conglomerate, and the strategic importance of timing and partnerships in scaling digital health solutions. Young also reflects on the cultural and business lessons he's learned throughout his international career and offers insights into the mindset needed to innovate within—and beyond—large corporations. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe to the Wealthing Podcast for more inspiring conversations!  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this enlightening episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Mirree Louise Bayliss, a contemporary Aboriginal artist whose work bridges the worlds of ancestral wisdom, spiritual exploration, and modern entrepreneurship. With roots deeply grounded in her Wiradjuri heritage, Mirree shares how she channels cultural storytelling and healing into vibrant visual art. Alicia and Mirree dive into how intuition, animal symbology, and energy patterns influence Mirree's artistic process. They also explore how Mirree has built a successful business rooted in her creative gifts—selling artwork, licensing her designs, and nurturing a strong online community. Mirree's insights offer a powerful example of how personal purpose and creative independence can lead to both healing and wealth creation. Whether you're an art lover, a spiritual seeker, or a creative entrepreneur, this episode is filled with inspiration and grounded advice on aligning with your deeper calling. 🔗 Learn More: Follow Miree on Instagram: @mirreecontemporarydreaming www.artbymirree.com.au 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe to the Wealthing Podcast for more inspiring conversations!  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes B Pagels-Minor, a trailblazing tech executive, investor, and entrepreneur committed to advancing equity in innovation. B brings their rich experience as a product leader at tech giants like Netflix and Apple, and their current role as a general partner at DVRGNT Ventures, a firm focused on empowering underestimated founders. Together, Alicia and B explore the intersection of identity, innovation, and capital access. B shares candid insights on navigating Silicon Valley as a Black, queer, nonbinary individual, and the resilience it takes to lead authentically in spaces where few have come before. They discuss their journey from the Mississippi Delta to venture capital, and how their experiences with ADHD, education, and tech shaped their commitment to inclusive investing. This episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership and unapologetic authenticity. B's story is a call to action for those who want to create systemic change while staying true to who they are. 🔗 Learn More: Follow B on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpagelsminor Explore DVRGNT Ventures: https://www.dvrgnt.vc 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe to the Wealthing Podcast for more inspiring conversations!  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this inspiring episode of The Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Jonas Paukner, a Berlin-based intellectual property lawyer and founder of the African fashion brand YOH°2. Combining legal expertise with a deep love for design, Jonas created a fashion brand inspired by the Congolese Sapeurs—a vibrant subculture known for resilience and self-expression through bold, elegant fashion. Jonas shares the origin story of YOH°2, rooted in personal heritage and artistic collaboration. The conversation explores the brand's mission to serve as a cultural bridge between Europe and Africa and its impact on social change. Jonas presents his latest collection—two handcrafted, tailor-made coats designed with Congolese artist Mambela, featuring original artwork, Moroccan fabrics, and a unique fusion of fashion and storytelling. Alicia and Jonas also discuss his upcoming documentary film, which will highlight the Sapeur culture through fashion events in Kinshasa and New York, drawing a parallel with the 2025 Met Gala theme, "Superfine: Black Tailoring." The film will travel across Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Marrakech, Kinshasa, and Brazzaville—connecting worlds through fashion, heritage, and artistry. Listeners can learn more or pre-order a custom coat at www.yohno2.de and follow Jonas Paukner on social media for updates.    🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Karen Sheffield, the Founder and Managing Partner of Pachamama Ventures—a venture capital firm focused on early-stage U.S. climate tech startups. With a unique background that spans roles at American Airlines, PepsiCo, and Visa, Karen brings an operator's lens to the world of investing. Karen shares her unexpected journey into venture capital, beginning with angel investing just four years ago. Her path has been defined by a curiosity to find value in overlooked markets and underestimated founders. As an underrepresented fund manager herself, Karen is intentional about backing diverse teams tackling critical issues like climate change with scalable innovation. Tune in to hear her thoughts on how to de-risk early-stage investments, why climate tech is more than just a buzzword, and how she uses her corporate experience to guide portfolio companies. This conversation offers a powerful reminder that wealth creation and environmental impact don't have to be mutually exclusive.

In this inspiring episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Martha Montoya, a pioneering entrepreneur with deep experience in financial services, emerging markets, and social innovation. Martha shares her journey from growing up in Colombia to building a career across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, bridging cultural divides and economic opportunity through smart investment and purpose-driven ventures. They dive into Martha's current work creating accessible financial tools for underserved communities and her commitment to innovation that prioritizes people over profit. Martha speaks candidly about the importance of inclusive entrepreneurship, how early adversity shaped her leadership style, and what it means to lead with empathy, vision, and global perspective. Listeners will walk away with valuable insights on: Launching businesses that solve real problems Investing with a social lens Navigating cross-cultural business landscapes Embracing failure and persistence as part of the journey Whether you're a founder, investor, or changemaker, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working to create a more equitable and prosperous future.  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this inspiring episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Andrea Stephany Díaz, a brilliant young entrepreneur and Co-founder of OncoSwab. Named one of Europe's top 100 young scientists, Andrea shares how a chance encounter with a cancer screening idea sparked her entrepreneurial journey—leading her to launch her first diagnostics company at just 24. Andrea discusses her background in molecular biotechnology, her global upbringing between Venezuela and Spain, and the motivation behind tackling one of the world's deadliest diseases: lung cancer. With OncoSwab, she aims to make early detection more accessible and less invasive—leveraging science and innovation to save lives. Beyond biotech, Andrea is a passionate advocate for women in STEM. Through her YouTube channel, DNAndrea, she shares behind-the-scenes insights from her startup journey and encourages young women to pursue careers in science and entrepreneurship. Whether you're passionate about healthcare innovation or simply love a good founder story, this episode delivers a compelling look at purpose-driven science and startup grit.    🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this compelling episode, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Jeremy Fortes, a dynamic entrepreneur and investor known for breaking down barriers in the startup ecosystem. Jeremy shares his journey from early startup struggles to becoming a strategic advisor and investor focused on supporting founders who are often overlooked by traditional venture capital. He discusses: His pivot from founding a tech company to building investment vehicles for underserved entrepreneurs The importance of community, mentorship, and access in wealth creation Why he believes character and hustle matter more than pedigree What he's doing to change the face of investing and empower more people to build generational wealth

Tamearra Dyson, a powerhouse entrepreneur and trailblazing vegan chef, joins Alicia Castillo Holley to share her remarkable story of turning just $27 into Souley Vegan—a beloved plant-based soul food brand. From single motherhood to national recognition on Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay," Tamearra walks us through the grit, passion, and purpose that fuel her mission. In this episode, Tamearra opens up about: Launching Souley Vegan from scratch while raising her son Staying rooted in her culture while making vegan food accessible Building a purpose-driven business as a Black woman founder What it meant to become the first vegan chef to beat Bobby Flay Her vision for scaling Souley Vegan and uplifting her community Connect with Tamearra Dyson: 🌐 Website📷 Instagram 💼 LinkedIn  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Dr. Sunny Zhang — a tenured professor, entrepreneur, investor, and the Founder of TrueLeap Inc., a platform that transforms global workforce development through a unified knowledge transfer ecosystem. Dr. Zhang shares her remarkable journey from international student to powerhouse innovator in behavioral science, education, and venture capital. Together, Alicia and Sunny explore the intersections of innovation, diversity, and impact — and why building globally scalable ventures is the future of entrepreneurship. Listeners will gain insight into: 🔹 The story behind founding TrueLeap and why workforce development needs to change 🔹 How her background in behavioral science influences her approach to innovation 🔹 The challenges and rewards of being a woman and immigrant founder in venture capital 🔹 What it means to create "globally born" companies 🔹 Her work with Born Global Ventures and supporting diverse entrepreneurs around the world Whether you're a founder, investor, educator, or ecosystem builder, Dr. Zhang offers wisdom, encouragement, and actionable advice on scaling purpose-driven ventures.

In this inspiring episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Katerina Manoff, the dynamic founder and CEO of ENGin, a nonprofit transforming lives through English language practice and cultural exchange. With over 55,000 volunteer-student matches, ENGin connects Ukrainian learners with English speakers around the world, fostering connection, confidence, and hope during times of crisis. Katerina shares the powerful story behind ENGin's founding—starting with mentoring a talented young Ukrainian student—and how that one connection sparked a global movement. With a background in education, nonprofit leadership, and investment banking, Katerina brings unique insight into building purpose-driven initiatives that scale. Together, Alicia and Katerina explore: How ENGin went from a small idea to a global nonprofit Why language learning is a tool for resilience, especially during war The challenges and rewards of launching a nonprofit startup How everyday volunteers can make an extraordinary impact Whether you're interested in global development, education, or simply making a difference, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more or get involved with ENGin: www.enginprogram.org  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Tracey MacNeal, President and CEO of Materna Medical. With a rich background as a chemical engineer, Duke MBA, healthcare entrepreneur, and medtech investor, Tracey brings a wealth of insight into the intersection of innovation and women's health. Tracey shares how Materna Medical is changing the game for maternal health by developing breakthrough technologies aimed at reducing delivery complications, improving postpartum recovery, and creating more equitable outcomes for new mothers. She also discusses her leadership role with AdvaMed and the Women's Health Equity Initiative, highlighting the urgency and opportunity in addressing long-overlooked gaps in women's healthcare. Together, Alicia and Tracey explore how building purpose-driven companies can drive both financial success and profound societal impact.  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Sam Shames, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Embr Labs, a pioneering wearable tech company. From chilly MIT labs to the frontline of menopause care and stress management, Sam shares the origin story of Embr's innovative wristband—designed to regulate body temperature and support wellness by tapping into the body's natural thermoregulatory and neurological systems. Sam reflects on a decade of startup growth, including his transition from COO to CRO, and how his journey from wrestling national champion to MIT-trained engineer shaped his approach to building and scaling a mission-driven tech company. The conversation explores how Embr Labs' technology has found real-world applications in areas like menopause symptom relief, stress regulation, and thermal comfort, and what it means to grow a company grounded in both science and empathy. https://www.embrlabs.com  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club  

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Bruce Pittman, Chief Innovation Officer at SpaceBilt and a decades-long veteran of the aerospace industry. With a career spanning NASA, startups, and private sector consulting, Bruce shares insights from his roles at NASA Ames Research Center, Skycorp, and as co-founder of the Space Portal Office. He has helped pioneer commercial space access, launch space-based observatories, and shape the future of space manufacturing and on-orbit assembly. Alicia and Bruce explore his fascinating journey from a college co-op student at NASA to an influential innovator in space commercialization. Bruce recounts career-defining moments—from building spacecraft that orbited Venus for 14 years to co-founding companies like SpaceHab and Kistler Aerospace. They dive into the realities of entrepreneurship in the space industry, including risk-taking, failure, and the power of strategic pivots. Bruce emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with smart collaborators, staying flexible, and learning from every experience—successful or not. He also shares what he's working on now: revolutionizing space manufacturing with SpaceBilt. The episode closes with Bruce's reflections on legacy, humility, and his belief in making the universe a fairer place—on Earth and beyond.  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Connie Bowen, a visionary leader reshaping the future of agriculture and work. Connie is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Farmhand Ventures, an innovative organization dedicated to empowering workers and entrepreneurs in agriculture through venture funding and practical support. With a rich background that includes roles at agrifoodtech accelerators, venture capital firms, and startups, Connie brings a unique, worker-centered approach to agricultural innovation. Her work focuses on building more equitable, human-centered solutions that connect people, technology, and sustainability. During the conversation, Alicia and Connie discuss the critical challenges facing the agricultural workforce today and how Farmhand Ventures is building a new ecosystem to support skilled workers and emerging entrepreneurs. Connie shares her insights on why the current narrative around automation and innovation often overlooks the most important part of agriculture: people. She explains how her organization identifies opportunities to invest in businesses that honor workers' dignity, creates sustainable value chains, and bridges the gap between tradition and technology. The discussion also highlights the importance of accessible pathways for workers to become business owners and the need for funders to rethink how they approach impact and investment in the food system. Founders building a better future of work in agriculture should get in touch through our website - we genuinely love cold outreach. Funders looking to learn more should feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected], and subscribe to Agriculture is for People to keep up with her latest musings on the agricultural systems. https://www.farmhandventures.com/  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club

In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Arna Ionescu Stoll, the CEO of Wavely Diagnostics. With a background rooted in human-centered design from IDEO and a passion for healthcare innovation, Arna shares her journey from consultant to startup leader. Her career has been shaped by a desire to not just design meaningful products but to see them through to real-world impact—especially in the realm of pediatric care. Arna discusses how WavelyDx, born out of groundbreaking research from the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute, is transforming the way families diagnose ear infections. Instead of schlepping kids to the doctor for what may or may not be an ear infection, WavelyDx offers a simple, app-based solution that allows parents to check their child's ears at home using a smartphone and a low-cost paper funnel. This innovation not only brings peace of mind to parents but also reduces unnecessary medical visits and their associated costs and environmental impact. Now available on Amazon for just $9.99, with a $5.99/month subscription for the app, WavelyDx empowers parents to take control of their children's healthcare from the comfort of their home: Buy WavelyDx on Amazon. Arna also shares her vision for expanding Wavely into a full "virtual medicine cabinet" of AI diagnostics, offering accessible, reliable tools for families to monitor and manage a range of health issues at home. Her story highlights not just innovation, but also leadership, motherhood, and the powerful intersections between personal experience and professional mission.  🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club https://www.amazon.com/Instant-at-Home-Ear-Check-Infections/dp/B0DVNQ7P41/ref=sr_1_1