I started as a scientist. I earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from UC Berkeley and spent the early part of my career at Corning Incorporated, where I led research and development teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and earned eight patents. Later, as a Fortune 500 strategy consultant, I built the cost models and investment cases that guided where companies put their capital. I learned how to find the story inside a set of numbers, and how to make decisions with real money on the line.

Then I became a founder myself. I co-founded and served as COO of Impact Hub Oakland, a 16,000 square foot incubator and co-working space for social entrepreneurs. I raised $1.2 million in blended capital, including a federal SBA Growth Accelerator grant and a crowdfunding campaign, ran the finances and operations, and supported hundreds of founders as they built their businesses. It taught me the founder's side of the table: what it takes to raise money, make payroll, and keep a young company alive.

Today I bring both sides together. Through my own practice and as an advisor with the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Small Business Development Centers, I've worked with hundreds of small businesses on the financial models, business plans, and loan packages behind their growth. I know what lenders look for, where profit hides, and how to turn a rough idea into a plan that gets funded. Whatever stage you're in, I'll help you get to the next level with clarity.