Lauren Garcia Belmonte
Managing Director, Head of Americas Technology Equity Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley
16 years of experience, with 13 years of Capital Markets Experience at Morgan Stanley
Expert in advising, structuring and executing bespoke Public Listings, Follow-Ons and Block offerings for issuer clients and shareholders, raising ~$70Bn of equity and equity-linked capital over the last three years
Experience in private equity raises, PIPEs, complex corporate separations, M&A-related equity financings, activism defense, cross-border situations and unique ownership structures
Lauren received a BA from Columbia University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Businesss
Expert in advising, structuring and executing bespoke Public Listings, Follow-Ons and Block offerings for issuer clients and shareholders, raising ~$70Bn of equity and equity-linked capital over the last three years
Experience in private equity raises, PIPEs, complex corporate separations, M&A-related equity financings, activism defense, cross-border situations and unique ownership structures
Lauren received a BA from Columbia University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Businesss
Ranga Bodla
Vice President, Field Engagement and Marketing - NetSuite Global Business Unit, Oracle
Ranga Bodla has over 20 years of combined product management and marketing experience in the software technology industry. As the VP of Field and Industry GTM for Oracle NetSuite, Ranga Bodla is chartered with driving the overall strategy and go-to-market for success across all of NetSuite’s industries including Software, Wholesale Distribution, Manufacturing, Retail, Services, Non-Profit, Advertising, Media and Publishing.
Lauren Bowe
Partner, Digital Solutions, Connor Group
Lauren is a Partner in Connor Group's Financial Operations practice. She has a combination of industry and professional services experience in financial operations, controllership, business process improvement, accounting systems and internal controls.
Lauren partners with clients’ senior finance executives in fast paced, high growth environments to provide strategic solutions to a variety of operational accounting challenges pertaining to people, processes and systems. Lauren has extensive experience introducing and improving business processes to prepare the finance organization for the public company environment. She works with clients designing and implementing practical recommendations that optimize the use of systems and improve the controls around a variety of key business areas, including financial close and reporting, procure to pay, order to cash, inter company and foreign currency transactions. Lauren has worked with both public and private companies in multiple industries with a focus in the technology space.
Prior to joining Connor Group, Lauren was a Manager of Accounting Operations and Compliance for Loews Corporation and started her career at Deloitte. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Providence College and is a licensed CPA in New York.
Lauren partners with clients’ senior finance executives in fast paced, high growth environments to provide strategic solutions to a variety of operational accounting challenges pertaining to people, processes and systems. Lauren has extensive experience introducing and improving business processes to prepare the finance organization for the public company environment. She works with clients designing and implementing practical recommendations that optimize the use of systems and improve the controls around a variety of key business areas, including financial close and reporting, procure to pay, order to cash, inter company and foreign currency transactions. Lauren has worked with both public and private companies in multiple industries with a focus in the technology space.
Prior to joining Connor Group, Lauren was a Manager of Accounting Operations and Compliance for Loews Corporation and started her career at Deloitte. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Providence College and is a licensed CPA in New York.
Nithya B. Das
GM of Governance Business, Diligent
Nithya B. Das serves as the newly appointed GM of Diligent‘s Governance business, overseeing the strategic direction and operational excellence of Diligent Boards. Prior to this role, I served as Diligent’s Chief Legal and Administrative Officer.
Nithya also serves as a member of the board of directors and the compensation committee at Outbrain Inc. (Nasdaq: OB), a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the open internet.
Nithya was previously the chief operating and chief legal officer and corporate secretary at Olo (NYSE: OLO), an enterprise SaaS platform for restaurants, where she led the company through an IPO and transformation to a multi-product platform company. She served as the company’s founding general counsel and also oversaw its people and culture, strategy and operations, corporate development, partner ecosystem, and shared technology teams. Prior to Olo, Nithya served as chief legal and people officer at AppNexus, an enterprise advertising technology platform, where she led the company from start-up to global enterprise platform including leading its IPO process and ultimate acquisition by AT&T. Nithya previously served as an attorney at Goodwin Procter LLP in the technology companies practice and was a founding contributor of Founder’s Workbench, the first online legal resource for the startup community
Nithya holds a degree in Business Administration from the SC Honors College at USC and a J.D., cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School. She lives in Hoboken, NJ with her husband, two daughters, and her labradoodle.
Nithya also serves as a member of the board of directors and the compensation committee at Outbrain Inc. (Nasdaq: OB), a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the open internet.
Nithya was previously the chief operating and chief legal officer and corporate secretary at Olo (NYSE: OLO), an enterprise SaaS platform for restaurants, where she led the company through an IPO and transformation to a multi-product platform company. She served as the company’s founding general counsel and also oversaw its people and culture, strategy and operations, corporate development, partner ecosystem, and shared technology teams. Prior to Olo, Nithya served as chief legal and people officer at AppNexus, an enterprise advertising technology platform, where she led the company from start-up to global enterprise platform including leading its IPO process and ultimate acquisition by AT&T. Nithya previously served as an attorney at Goodwin Procter LLP in the technology companies practice and was a founding contributor of Founder’s Workbench, the first online legal resource for the startup community
Nithya holds a degree in Business Administration from the SC Honors College at USC and a J.D., cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School. She lives in Hoboken, NJ with her husband, two daughters, and her labradoodle.
Landon Ramo Edmond
Chief Legal Officer at Klaviyo, Inc. (listed as KVYO, NYSE 2023)) & Board Member at Santa Clara University
School of Law
In 2020, Landon joined Boston based startup Klaviyo, Inc. as Chief Legal Officer. In September of 2023, Landon led the company to an Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange. In this C-Level role, Landon is responsible for building out the legal, compliance and HR function while supporting the emerging needs of a hyper growth startup. Landon is focused on risk mitigation, compliance and scalable revenue support as the company builds and expands its 120,000 plus paying customer presence in North America and internationally (offices in London and Sydney). As an executive leader, Landon is a key contributor to the overall business including helping with the formation of sales/partnership/GTM strategies and team composition.
Previously, as a member of the SAP Senior Leadership Team working directly with the SAP board and executive management team, Landon served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. In this role, Landon functions as chief legal officer for SAP SE’ s global field operations and subsidiaries in 50+ countries. All regional, market unit and line of business legal counsel (300+ legal professionals in 20+ countries) reported into his organization to support SAP’ s $30+ Billion in annual revenue and other legal matters. Prior to his 20 years at SAP/SAP Ariba, Landon served as associate counsel with the renowned San Francisco law firm, Morrison and Foerster. While at Morrison and Foerster, Landon specialized in complex civil litigation with a focus on intellectual property matters and pro-bono legal work for the Lawyer’ s Committee on Civil Rights.
Adam Francis
Principal, Washington Council, EY
Adam is a member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Washington Council Ernst & Young (WCEY) practice where he focuses on tax policy issues and provides guidance on legislative procedure and strategy in the US Congress. Prior to joining WCEY in 2011, Adam spent more than 14 years on Capitol Hill serving as a senior advisor to two members of the U.S. House of Representatives and working closely with the House Ways and Means Committee. In addition to his official positions on Capitol Hill, Adam has had extensive involvement in campaign and political action committee activities and delivers in-depth experience in the politics of public policy.
Diane King Hall
Anchor/Personal Finance Coach/Public Speaker
Diane King Hall is an award-winning broadcaster known for her personable anchoring, and insightful reporting in the dynamic world of business, economics and geopolitics. She has spent much of her career broadcasting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. She has been seen on Yahoo Finance, CBS, CNN, and NY1.
Throughout her career she has interviewed CEOs, celebrities and well-known voices in their respective fields such as Jamie Dimon, Arianna Huffington, Ian Bremmer, and Will Smith. With a knack for simplifying complex macro concepts, she has become a trusted voice on air, online and in person.
Throughout her career she has interviewed CEOs, celebrities and well-known voices in their respective fields such as Jamie Dimon, Arianna Huffington, Ian Bremmer, and Will Smith. With a knack for simplifying complex macro concepts, she has become a trusted voice on air, online and in person.
Tony Kim
Head of Fundamental Equities’ Global Technology Team, Portfolio Manager, Managing Director | Blackrock
Tony Kim, Managing Director, is Head of the Global Technology Team within the Fundamental Equities division of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group. He is lead portfolio manager of the BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund and related global strategies.
Mr. Kim joined BlackRock in 2013. His 30 years of experience in technology investments also includes key roles at Artisan Partners, Credit Suisse Asset Management, Neuberger Berman, Merrill Lynch and SG Warburg.
Mr. Kim is a member of the Advisory Board for Columbia Business School’s Digital Future Initiative, which brings together Columbia faculty members and leaders from across industries to help organizations, governments and communities optimize and accelerate the technological advances of the future.
Mr. Kim earned a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Columbia University.
Mr. Kim joined BlackRock in 2013. His 30 years of experience in technology investments also includes key roles at Artisan Partners, Credit Suisse Asset Management, Neuberger Berman, Merrill Lynch and SG Warburg.
Mr. Kim is a member of the Advisory Board for Columbia Business School’s Digital Future Initiative, which brings together Columbia faculty members and leaders from across industries to help organizations, governments and communities optimize and accelerate the technological advances of the future.
Mr. Kim earned a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Columbia University.
Meaghan Miller
Vice President Global Capital Markets, DFIN
Meaghan Miller leads the DFIN Global Capital Markets sales teams in the Northeast region. Meaghan's team partners closely with corporate issuers and advisory firms on a wide range of Capital Markets transactions and corporate compliance needs.
Meaghan joined EDGAR Online, a DFIN company, in 2011 and has since held positions in capital markets sales, as well as managing the legal and private equity verticals at DFIN. Prior to joining DFIN, Meaghan held senior pharmaceutical sales and marketing roles at GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.
Meaghan joined EDGAR Online, a DFIN company, in 2011 and has since held positions in capital markets sales, as well as managing the legal and private equity verticals at DFIN. Prior to joining DFIN, Meaghan held senior pharmaceutical sales and marketing roles at GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.
Steve Miller
SVP, Chief Financial Officer, Warby Parker
Steven (“Steve”) Miller has served as Warby Parker’s Chief Financial Officer since 2011. Prior to joining Warby Parker, Steve served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Majestic Research, a pioneering data-driven research firm where he led the successful sale of the company to ITG (now part of Virtu Financial).
Previously, Steve served as a Vice President of Comerica Bank’s Technology and Life Sciences Division, where he opened the Bank’s New York office. He began his career at Monitor Company, a strategy consulting firm, and served as an Urban Fellow. Steve is on the board of Ubuntu Education Fund, a nonprofit health and education provider in South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Columbia University.
Previously, Steve served as a Vice President of Comerica Bank’s Technology and Life Sciences Division, where he opened the Bank’s New York office. He began his career at Monitor Company, a strategy consulting firm, and served as an Urban Fellow. Steve is on the board of Ubuntu Education Fund, a nonprofit health and education provider in South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Columbia University.
Jim Neesen
Managing Partner, Connor Group
Jim is the Managing Partner at Connor Group, the #1 Accounting Advisory firm in the world for IPOs, SPACs, and high-growth companies.
Connor Group has worked on over 200 IPO and SPAC transactions in the past decade, including Tesla, Spotify, Uber, Lyft, Palantir, Snap, Etsy, Survey Monkey, Stichfix, Mulesoft, and 1,000+ top tech, biotech, and growth companies. Our IPO and SPAC client base has raised over $35B in IPO proceeds at a $250B+ valuation when going effective.
Jim is a guest lecturer and CEO mentor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business where he graduated with a Master’s degree and launched a career as a lifelong entrepreneur.
Jim is active with multiple NFL player initiatives, mentoring NFL players and business coaching with both the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Connor Group has worked on over 200 IPO and SPAC transactions in the past decade, including Tesla, Spotify, Uber, Lyft, Palantir, Snap, Etsy, Survey Monkey, Stichfix, Mulesoft, and 1,000+ top tech, biotech, and growth companies. Our IPO and SPAC client base has raised over $35B in IPO proceeds at a $250B+ valuation when going effective.
Jim is a guest lecturer and CEO mentor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business where he graduated with a Master’s degree and launched a career as a lifelong entrepreneur.
Jim is active with multiple NFL player initiatives, mentoring NFL players and business coaching with both the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Leslie Pfrang
Partner, Class V Group
Leslie is a Partner at Class V Group where she leads the East coast practice advising companies as they prepare for and execute successful IPOs, navigate the markets once public and manage through future liquidity and public company events. Prior to joining Class V Group Leslie spent 20 years on Wall Street, most recently building relationships with top institutional investors and leading the sale and trading of equity transactions including hundreds of IPOs and follow-on offerings in the public markets.
Leslie brings unbiased market perspective, deep institutional relationships and unique reach and influence in the public equity markets, as well as an insider’s knowledge of the underwriting and syndicate process to the companies Class V Group advises. Leslie’s team was the highest ranking of all global investment banks and the most experienced, having executed more IPOs than any other. Leslie sat on the Equity Commitment Committees at leading investment banks and is known for her insight into investor sentiment and investment process which is critical to advising companies on positioning and structuring equity deals to attract the best long-term shareholders.
Leslie’s career includes time spent in investment banking where she led equity and debt capital markets deals, M&A and restructuring transactions. She is a securities attorney and Certified Public Accountant, and began her career as an auditor for Ernst & Young.
Leslie brings unbiased market perspective, deep institutional relationships and unique reach and influence in the public equity markets, as well as an insider’s knowledge of the underwriting and syndicate process to the companies Class V Group advises. Leslie’s team was the highest ranking of all global investment banks and the most experienced, having executed more IPOs than any other. Leslie sat on the Equity Commitment Committees at leading investment banks and is known for her insight into investor sentiment and investment process which is critical to advising companies on positioning and structuring equity deals to attract the best long-term shareholders.
Leslie’s career includes time spent in investment banking where she led equity and debt capital markets deals, M&A and restructuring transactions. She is a securities attorney and Certified Public Accountant, and began her career as an auditor for Ernst & Young.
Andrew Thorpe
Partner, Gunderson Dettmer
Andrew Thorpe is a partner in Gunderson Dettmer’s San Francisco office. Andrew advises management teams and boards of directors on securities regulation, public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and key corporate governance matters. In addition to extensive experience representing issuers and underwriters — including in over 40 initial public offerings to date — Andrew served for six years at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While at the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance and in the Office of Rulemaking, he reviewed and commented on numerous public companies' SEC filings and played a significant role in drafting several landmark regulations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Andrew works extensively with leaders and innovators in a variety of industries, including software, fintech, life sciences, medical devices, clean technology and cryptocurrency. He has experience helping these companies navigate complex, technical and often novel issues in transactions.
Immediately prior to joining Gunderson Dettmer, Thorpe was a Member at Mintz, and after his service at the SEC, he was a Partner at Morrison & Foerster and Orrick.
Andrew works extensively with leaders and innovators in a variety of industries, including software, fintech, life sciences, medical devices, clean technology and cryptocurrency. He has experience helping these companies navigate complex, technical and often novel issues in transactions.
Immediately prior to joining Gunderson Dettmer, Thorpe was a Member at Mintz, and after his service at the SEC, he was a Partner at Morrison & Foerster and Orrick.
Tricia Tolivar
Chief Financial Officer, CAVA
Tricia Tolivar joined CAVA in November of 2020 as Chief Financial Officer. She oversees a team responsible for Accounting, Real Estate, Strategy, Financial Planning and Analysis and Supply Chain. Her team serves as trusted business advisors across the enterprise and maximizes value for all stakeholders.
Before joining the CAVA team, Tricia was the Chief Financial Officer for GNC. She served in that role for nearly 6 years. She came to GNC from Ernst & Young, where she led the Americas Advisory Finance team. Before Ernst & Young, Tricia served in various executive roles at AutoZone. Tricia has more than 30 years of experience helping companies formulate strategy, drive improvements in financial returns and implement change to deliver results. She has spent most of her career with public companies focused on execution and improvements in share holder return.
Tricia received her Bachelors of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Before joining the CAVA team, Tricia was the Chief Financial Officer for GNC. She served in that role for nearly 6 years. She came to GNC from Ernst & Young, where she led the Americas Advisory Finance team. Before Ernst & Young, Tricia served in various executive roles at AutoZone. Tricia has more than 30 years of experience helping companies formulate strategy, drive improvements in financial returns and implement change to deliver results. She has spent most of her career with public companies focused on execution and improvements in share holder return.
Tricia received her Bachelors of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.