Megan Gardner is a sought-after CEO adviser and board member for fast-growing technology businesses. A seasoned dealmaker, she is dedicated to helping CEOs navigate the challenges of rapid growth and to celebrate entrepreneurial victories. She founded Independent & Co in 2013 and the company’s portfolio spans North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Her focus is on high-growth technology companies, especially in the healthcare, AI and consumer sectors. Her portfolio companies have successfully completed numerous rounds of fundraising – venture and growth private equity -- and several transactions, including sales to Summit Partners, Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity, Oracle, IKEA, The Chernin Group, and a public listing on the ASX. As a business innovator, Megan focuses on applying disruptive technology to new spaces and teams. As CEO and founder of Plum District, Megan raised millions in venture capital, expanded the digital marketing company to two dozen cities, and grew the online member base to more than one million people. Megan managed over 350 employees and contractors, worked with top retailers like Target, Gap, and Whole Foods, and created partnerships with Facebook, Google, and Disney. Under her leadership, the company was featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg. Forbes also repeatedly listed Plum District as one of the top 100 websites for women.Megan operates as an independent board observer and advisor for various companies including Everly Health, Humata and Diligent Robotics. In addition, she currently serves on the YPO Global Board of Directors as the Finance Chair. Previously she served on a variety of other boards as the independent board director including Tinybeans (ASX: TNY), Crown & Caliber, Myron, DoubleNet Pay, and the Smith College Alumnae Board. In 2011, she was nominated by Fortune as one of the “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.” She has been featured as a speaker at conferences, including The Wall Street Journal Women in the Economy, NBCUniversal Women and Digital Symposium, and TechWomen. Megan launched her career on Wall Street as an investment banker for Deutsche Bank. She focused on mergers and acquisitions for technology clients and later joined Ameriprise Financial, where she continued to build her M&A experience while leading long-term strategic planning processes. Megan holds a Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College.