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Meet the people behind Start Small Think Big.

Start Small is powered by people who believe entrepreneurs should have access to the expertise they need to build strong businesses.

Our team brings experience across small business, law, finance, technology, nonprofit leadership, and community development. We bring that experience together with the expertise of thousands of professionals who volunteer through Start Small.

Our team

Mabell Fernandez

Executive Director

Angela Galdamez

Senior Staff Attorney

Arli Cornejal

Finance Program Manager

Brendan Landry

Director of Corporate Engagement

Ellie Stephens

Senior Director, Client Relationship Management

Gabriella Mireles-Hinds

Legal Program Coordinator

Ian Brown

Vice President of Data, Tech and Innovation

Lacey Banks

Finance Program Director

Mirielle Wright

Client Relationship Manager

Robyn Frank

Legal Program Director

Our board

Our board brings together entrepreneurs and leaders from business, law, finance, philanthropy, and community development. Their experience and perspective help shape Start Small's strategy and keep our work grounded in the needs of the entrepreneurs we serve.

Angela McCray

General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, SurgoCap Partners

Chinnu Joseph

Corporate Counsel, Salesforce

Daniel Oquendo

Associate, Jones Day

Denika Torres

Director, Services Enterprise Data Office, Citi

Erica Lock

Senior Vice President, Blackstone Charitable Foundation

Francesca Odell

Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Kenetia Lee

CEO, PopUP CleanUP · Start Small entrepreneur alum

Kristin Johnston

Managing Director, Blackstone

Marci Brenholz

Senior Director of Development, NYU Langone Health

Mark Kesslen

Partner, Lowenstein Sandler

Michael Pastor

Dean for Technology Law Programs, New York Law School

Sharon Freiman

Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Tammeca Rochester

CEO, Harlem Cycle · Start Small entrepreneur alum