I am an experienced partner with the Corporate and Securities Practice Team at Lippes Mathias, LLP, where I co-lead the firm’s Startup, Venture Capital and Family Business Practice Teams. I have extensive transactional experience working with founders, companies, and investors across a variety of stages, sectors and geographies. My practice experience includes advising companies in general corporate matters, debt and equity financings, and extensive M&A experience. My work with later-stage and family-owned businesses focuses on helping them develop and implement succession plans by applying strategies informed by positive psychology. I began my career in New York City at Mayer Brown LLP, a leading international law firm, where I worked on large-scale M&A transactions, private-equity financings and IPOs.In addition, I am a Managing Director and Co-Founder of Varia Ventures (www.varia.com), a platform for professionals and their organizations interested in venture investing. I have also served in a variety of roles with organizations that focus on entrepreneurship, democratizing access to capital, and women’s leadership. I am an entrepreneur in residence at Columbia Technology Ventures, as well as a current or past mentor for Founders' Institute and Endeavor. I am a past Chair of the WNY Women’s Foundation and a past Director of Upstate Capital. I received my law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from the University at Buffalo. A Fulbright Scholar (France), I also trained in Harvard Law School’s Negotiation Program.