Los Angeles Venture Association Elects Kimberly Kovacs as President
Experienced Investor and Entrepreneur Brings Key Insights and Strong Leadership Skills as LAVA Forms the Innovation Network of Southern California (INSoCal) with OCTANe and San Diego Venture Group
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The board of directors of the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA), a nonprofit organization that supports the development of start-up and emerging-growth companies in Southern California, has elected Kimberly Kovacs to serve as its new president, effective immediately. Kovacs has led a distinguished career in executive leadership and finance, punctuated by the successful exit of several Southern California-based technology companies she has founded or co-founded, including OptionEase in 2012. Also joining Kovacs on the LAVA board with new appointments are Pasadena Angels President Chris Wadden as treasurer and Amiggi CEO Shuki Lehavi as secretary.
"We are so pleased to welcome Kim to helm our board during this critical time of expansion in Southern California," said Len Lanzi, executive director, LAVA. "Her broad experience as an entrepreneur, keen business skills and passion for the entrepreneurial ecosystem will make her an incredible leader and resource for our organization."
Kovacs is a serial entrepreneur and investor in software-as-a-service, technology, agriculture and health companies. She has personally raised more than $100 million dollars for ventures she's led, resulting in several successful exits. As an active angel investor, advisor and executive consultant for emerging companies, she is an avid proponent of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southern California. She currently serves as the managing director of Arroyo Ventures as well as the founder and CEO of MyJane, a startup online wellness community designed to empower women to feel better by normalizing the cannabis experience.
"I am thrilled at the appointment of Kim in this key role at LAVA," said Bill Carpou, CEO, OCTANe, the convening organization for entrepreneurs in Orange County, Calif. "Kim has been an OCTANe board member for five years, and during this time, has provided insight into how to grow our innovation ecosystem. The natural progression has been the formation of the Innovation Network of Southern California (INSoCal), where LAVA, OCTANe and SDVG will lead the next version of the SoCal ecosystem to include company formation, capital and job creation."
LAVA was established in 1985 and provides a space and opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs to meet with and learn valuable insights from executives, investors, bankers, financial advisors and other professionals in the Los Angeles area. LAVA works with both OCTANe and INSoCal for the advancement and funding of startups in Southern California. INSoCal is a collaboration committed to accelerating innovation and promoting the expansion, formation and development of technology companies, entrepreneurship and export opportunities in Southern California.
For more information on LAVA membership, events, programs and sponsorships, please contact Executive Director Leonard Lanzi at [email protected].
2-2-2 Los Angeles Venture Association Elects Kimberly Kovacs as President
About Kimberly Kovacs: Kimberly Kovacs has had a distinguished career in executive leadership and finance. A serial entrepreneur and investor in software-as-a-service, technology, agriculture and health companies, Kovacs has personally raised more than $100 million dollars for ventures she's lead — all resulting in successful exits. This active angel investor, advisor and executive consultant for emerging companies is passionate about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and provides mentorship to students and startups in Los Angeles and Orange County. She entered the cannabis space as an investor and entrepreneur to raise awareness and usage of cannabis to fight America's opioid epidemic and give women greater decision-making in their health and wellness decisions. She serves currently as the managing director of Arroyo Ventures LLC and founder and CEO of MyJane Inc. She also is an active member of Financial Executives International (FEI) and Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG) and a former member of Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) and AWT (Advancing Women in Technology). Other past board seats include the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and the All-American Boys Chorus.
About the Los Angeles Venture Association: Founded in 1985, the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) is the most successful and longest running organization of its kind in Southern California dedicated to the development and growth of entrepreneurial ventures. Through its educational programs, strategic interest groups and annual conferences, LAVA provides a forum where entrepreneurs meet and learn from fellow executives, investors, bankers, financial advisors and other professional advisors. For more information, visit lava.org.
SOURCE Los Angeles Venture Association
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