News

SEATTLE, WA – This interview is part leadership playbook, part global memoir. Karen Cone shares sharp, unfiltered advice for women founders from the pitch mistake that costs them investor confidence, to why learning to delegate is key to scaling. Along the way, she reflects on growing up between Cold War capitals, helping IBM and Microsoft expand globally, and why she’s now channeling that experience into backing underestimated innovators at Mastersfund.

SEATTLE, WA – Mastersfund is pleased to welcome Yasemin Okur to our Advisory Board. Ms. Okur is the  Managing Director at HCP Asia and advises leading private equity and growth capital firms. Her career features senior executive roles at global consumer giants such as Danone, SC Johnson, Yum!, and most recently as President of Mundipharma’s Global Consumer Health division, where she successfully guided the business through its strategic divestment to iNova Pharmaceuticals, a TPG company.

Ms. Okur’s robust knowledge of the APAC market, operational experience, and proven track record in mergers and acquisitions position her well to enhance Mastersfund’s strategic reach and deal-making capabilities across Asia. In this exclusive interview, Yasemin shares insights from her expansive career, her outlook on Asia’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, and her perspectives on the integration of artificial intelligence within regional business practices.

A guest post from our colleague Kathryn O’Day, Atlanta Ventures Partner

Talking about money is SO IMPORTANT.

Possibly the easiest and most impactful way to improve your startup or make more money. 

I spell it out with these 5 examples.

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SEATTLE, WA – In this interview, Maureen Gilbert shares how she transitioned from building and selling businesses to mentoring women-led startups as a Venture Partner at MastersFund. With a career spanning over two decades, Maureen Gilbert is a seasoned expert in SME M&A, turnaround strategy, and risk management. As a Venture Partner at MastersFund, she draws from her diverse background – including roles in international banking, manufacturing systems consulting, and corporate strategy – to support and mentor women-led startups. Her experience includes consulting for Marcam Inc. and Price Waterhouse in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Chicago, as well as managing risk at ABN AMRO Bank in the Netherlands. Holding an MBA from INSEAD and a BA in Developmental Economics and Asian Studies from Georgetown University, Maureen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

SEATTLE, WA – With a passion for turning innovative ideas into impactful realities, Walt Greenberg spent his career at the intersection of marketing, technology, and entrepreneurship. From pioneering early financial technologies to advising and investing in startups, Walt brings decades of experience and a keen eye for recognizing potential to his role as Venture Partner at Mastersfund. In this interview, Walt shares his journey from the corporate world to venture capital, the qualities he looks for in founders, and what excites him most about being part of the Mastersfund team.

SEATTLE, WA – We’re excited to share the following interview with Jocelyn Quarrell, CEO of Bold Reuse, a portfolio company of Mastersfund. Bold Reuse is making strides in sustainability by enabling businesses to eliminate single-use waste through innovative reusable packaging systems.

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SEATTLE, WA – We are thrilled to feature an exclusive interview with Kathleen Baxley, who joined Mastersfund as Chief Financial Officer in January 2024. From her early days studying English literature and math to her extensive experience in equity research, entrepreneurship, and financial consulting, Kathleen brings a unique and multifaceted perspective to Mastersfund. Read on to discover how her diverse background has shaped her commitment to supporting female founders.
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SEATTLE, WA – We’re pleased to share the interview below with Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, CEO of Earth Knowledge, recently added to the portfolio of Mastersfund companies. Julia was recently named B2B Tech Entrepreneur of the Year by Women in Cloud, a testament to her leadership acumen.

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