The Team
Our team is made-up of former teachers, entrepreneurs and product managers. We are a team of doers who prefer action over 5-year strategic plans. We believe we can help the most at the earliest stages of a company’s growth, and we’ve supported over 50 early-stage companies so far.
Jennifer Carolan
Partner
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”
– Mother Teresa
Jennifer grew up in Chicago and its suburbs. She had the transformative experience of attending two different high schools- one in the city and one in the suburbs. That experience set her on a path to understand our education system and why it has great inequalities. Jennifer taught in traditional public schools for 7 years, pursued an MA in Education from Stanford, then went on to learn the craft of venture capital for almost a decade before co-founding Reach Capital. Although she never intentionally went after a career in venture capital, she found it to be a powerful lever to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of opportunity, especially for those without a voice.
Little Known Facts
- Taught a math camp for 5 years, out of her home
- One of 6 kids, 5 are girls
- Scuba diver
- Loves board games and old typewriters
Why Education?
Learning allowed me to step outside of my life and consider new ways of thinking. It helped me understand and develop empathy for others, their lives and their hardships. Education is such a powerful tool to develop ourselves as human beings and to support one another in community. John Dewey said, classrooms are a microcosm of our ideal society and I love this challenge to create small communities that prioritize and reflect what is best in our human nature.
Shauntel Garvey
Partner
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
From a young age, Shauntel understood the transformative power of education. From her time at MIT learning chemical engineering to completing her MA in Education at Stanford, she’s navigated life with a curious mind and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Her love of learning has opened many interesting doors but her current role at Reach Capital is her most rewarding yet. Outside of work, she is an avid hiker and enjoys exploring the newest restaurants in Oakland.
Little Known Facts
- Has lived in Southeast Asia
- Knows how to make laundry detergent
- Work extrovert and a social introvert
- Loves taking hip-hop dance classes
Why Education?
My mother was a professor and taught me education is vital to not only exploring my own intellectual curiosity and potential but an important lever for greater social mobility.
Wayee Chu
Partner
“I had no idea that history was being made, I was just tired of giving up.”
– Rosa Parks
Wayee was born in Queens, New York and raised in Connecticut by Chinese parents who immigrated to the US for the sole purpose of getting an education; this upbringing no doubt influenced and shaped her understanding of the importance of education and ultimately led to a career path and commitment in bringing greater access and opportunity to all learners. Wayee’s first experience with entrepreneurs was when she moved to California in 2005 to work at NewSchools Venture Fund, alongside her colleagues Jennifer Carolan and Shauntel Garvey. Her foundational experience supporting some of the most inspiring and innovative education entrepreneurs led her to join the team at Reach Capital where she continues her passion in supporting early stage founders who are building companies that look to transform the way we learn and live.
Little Known Facts
- Failed at piano and never looked back
- Loves vizslas (all dogs, but particularly vizslas)
- Fanatical about Contemporary art
- An only child (but you would never know it;-)
Why Education?
My public school experience in the suburbs of Connecticut made a huge impact on my life and there is no doubt that my zip code was an indicator of my own educational and career opportunities and outcomes. My work at Reach Capital is driven by the idea that one’s zip code should not determine one’s learning trajectory. And while there are many approaches in which we can improve education in this country, I fundamentally believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most impactful and important agents of change.
Esteban Sosnik
Partner
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
– Albert Einstein
After 12 years as an entrepreneur in the gaming industry, and inspired by the opportunities technology can afford to superpower humanity, Esteban joined Reach from its founding in 2015 to support education entrepreneurs and help them build iconic global businesses that augment human potential. Learning and growing has always been Esteban’s life motivator that brought him from Buenos Aires to the University of Virginia and from studying Foreign Affairs and Economics to becoming an entrepreneur and investor. He loves supporting companies and entrepreneurs whose mission is to enable learning for others.
Little Known Facts
- As a teenager wanted to be the general counsel of the UN
- Learnt Basic at age 10 (with a Commodore 128)
- Learnt piano at age 40
- First traveled when 11 months old and never stopped.
Why Education?
I attended both public and private schools in Argentina and the US and they all truly impacted who I am. I am convinced that education is the biggest lever for change we have as humans and, at a time with such enormous challenges and opportunities, I can see no other sector in the world to invest on that could be more significant for our civilization.
Chian Gong
Partner
“Talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not.”
– Leila Janah
Chian did not set out to build a career in education. She studied bioengineering at Berkeley and worked in management consulting upon graduation. Three years in, she quit consulting and took a chance on a fellowship through Education Pioneers. This fellowship, which placed her on the data & technology team at an Oakland-based charter school network, opened her eyes to the potential of young minds and the remarkable dedication that each teacher had for their students. From that point on, she knew she wanted to dedicate her career to education. She has since worked in education consulting and impact investing and is excited to now be working alongside a team of educators and entrepreneurs at Reach.
Little Known Facts
- Hates cucumbers, but likes pickles and even cucumber water
- Was hit by a truck (and survived!)
- Once went 6 days without a shower (climbing Kilimanjaro)
- Addicted to crosswords
- Married to an edtech founder
Why Education?
I believe education is a human right and is key to unlocking opportunity for the next generation. When we unlock opportunity for one student, it creates ripple effects for his/her family, community, and society at large. What contributions might that one student hold for the future?
James Kim
Partner
“Walk as if the next step would carry you across the threshold of heaven.”
– Jim Elliot
The son of a cop and a stay-at-home mom, James was fortunate to attend high-achieving magnet programs within the Los Angeles public school system and has personally experienced the transformative impact of quality education. His upbringing shaped him into an unapologetic nerd who studied astrophysics in college before pivoting to the education sector as a teacher, non-profit executive, and admissions officer. After a stint in graduate school, he now has the privilege of supporting incredible entrepreneurs who share his passion for education.
Little Known Facts
- Competitive shotgun shooter
- Collects stuffed animals
- Speaks Korean, Chinese, and Spanish
- Eats all vegetables except celery
- Obsessed with escape rooms
Why Education?
High-quality education helped me pursue my interests and recognize and achieve my full potential. I’ve dedicated my career to making sure that all students, regardless of background or zip code, have access to that kind of education.
Jomayra Herrera
Partner
“Impossible is just an opinion.”
– Paulo Coelho
Jomayra was born in Orlando, Florida to two parents who always believed that education was not only important to prioritize, but it was one of the few things that no one could ever take from you. With that mindset, Jomayra devoted herself to her studies and eventually became the first person in her family to go to college. At Stanford, she fell in love with education and ended up getting a MA in education policy, organization, and leadership studies. She started her career as an operator at an ed tech startup called BloomBoard and eventually started a career in venture capital first at Emerson Collective, Laurene Powell Jobs’ family office. Before Reach Capital, she was at Cowboy Ventures, where spent a lot of her time working with consumer internet and marketplace companies.
Little Known Facts
- A super introvert but you wouldn’t know it
- Former debate captain
- Claim to fame was my recorder solo in 5th grade
- Survived 2 jet ski accidents (classic Floridian!)
Why Education?
I feel very lucky that I was the first in my family to go to college, but it took a lot of hard work and quite a bit of luck. I don’t think luck should play a role in accessing a high-quality education. I believe everyone should have access to something that plays such a key role in economic mobility.
Jackie Dao
CFO
“I never lose. I either win or learn.”
– Nelson Mandela
Jackie’s family moved many times during her childhood, and she experienced the variation in quality and resources in public schooling across different neighborhoods. Her passion for learning, however, provided a “North Star” that guided her through those experiences, and she became the first in her family to graduate from college. Since then, she has spent over 20 years in the asset management space helping multiple financial institutions implement operational and infrastructural best practices. She is excited to share her expertise with entrepreneurs who have dedicated their lives to transforming the education technology sector.
Little Known Facts
- Was raised by a single father
- Is a choice mom
- Trilingual in English, Vietnamese and German
- Avid long-distance runner
- Loves to Salsa Dance
Why Education?
My passion for learning provided “A Clean, Well-lighted Place” for me to turn to as I navigated many relocations and the uneven quality of public education growing up. I believe pursuit of higher education not only unlocks infinite potential but also contributes to self-confidence and mental health, which are increasingly vital for future generations.
Jim Lobdell
Venture Partner
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
– William Butler Yeats
Jim is an accidental entrepreneur, eschewing the investment banking path that so many of his Stanford classmates took to save the world as a teacher. His classroom was a lively, noisy testament to the power of hands-on learning, which he later codified as History Alive! when he co-founder of Teachers’ Curriculum Institute. Five years in the classroom and three education startups later, he is still driven to make the educational experience more meaningful for all students.
Little Known Facts
- Member of two NCAA championship water polo teams
- Failed spectacularly in his 3-week tenure as a Peace Corps Volunteer
- Played a mean saxophone as a teenager
- Was married at a hunting lodge
Why Education?
Because all kids deserve the kinds of learning experiences where they lean in wide-eyed in animated conversation, where the energy in the classroom is palpable, where they lose track of time, and where the lines between “smart” and “remedial” students blur. Every time I see students engaged like this, I get goosebumps.
Jennifer Wu
Venture Partner
“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”
– Maya Angelou
Jen dropped out of the Silicon Valley startup scene and landed in a 4th grade classroom in San Jose. The experience opened her eyes — from wanting to make a difference in one child’s life, to feeling responsibility for all students in her classroom, to seeing systemic inequities in public education. We can do better. She’s been driven by that desire ever since. She’s since worked in ed reform, charter schools, ed tech, and now at Reach Capital.
Little Known Facts
- Hometown favs: Del’s, Allie’s Donuts, clam cakes, Awful Awfuls
- Phases of her life as defined by sports: gymnastics, volleyball, (MMA briefly!), climbing
- Pictionary queen
- Taught a small class in East Palo Alto
Why Education?
There’s nothing like seeing a child discover something new that blows their mind (“Ms. Wu, you have to see this!”), solve a hard problem (“This is so crazy, it just might work!”), or see the world differently than they saw it before. (“Ohhhh….”)
Enzo Cavalie
Associate
“Creating something new is the difficult part. To make it and build it and get everyone to follow? Amazing.”
– Pep Guardiola
Enzo grew up in Lima and discovered his passion for startups after graduating from university, but unfortunately, there wasn’t a big startup scene in Peru. In 2019, he moved to Mexico to join a leading Latin American Venture firm. Before that, he developed a connection with education volunteering as a Fundraising Director at a Peruvian education NGO, where he helped public school teachers to improve their students’ learning experience. Coming from an underdeveloped country, Enzo is a firm believer in the power of technology and entrepreneurship to solve the most pressing socials problems, especially, education’s quality and access. He joined Reach in 2021.
Little Known Facts
- Loves videogames, especially RPGs and Strategy
- Into medieval history (yeah, Age of Empires fanboy)
- Wildest dream: becoming a football coach
- Likes dancing salsa (not saying I’m good at it :P)
Why Education?
Even though, no one in my family knew what “VC” meant, the internet — through knowledge and role models — opened the door for me to a career in such a privileged profession. However, it wasn’t me all alone. My parents, grandfather, and teachers didn’t only help achieve my potential, but imbued my mind with curiosity. Now, I want to help others to explore, discover, and pursue their passions. Education is the means.
Tony Wan
Investor Content
“We do have a lot in common. The same air, the same Earth, the same sky. Maybe if we started looking at what’s the same instead of always looking at what’s different… well, who knows?”
– Meowth
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Los Angeles, Tony long thought that doing well in school equated to doing well in life. That was true to a certain extent, until he realized he couldn’t quite cut it in academia. That led him on an unconventional journey to building a math game, reporting on education technology and running a newsroom, and now supporting edtech entrepreneurs in their mission to help future generations of learners and teachers. He wishes some of the lessons learned along the way were easier. But growth and comfort cannot always coexist.
Little Known Facts
- Does not like any of the 50,000+ varieties of mushrooms
- Kicked by a horse in Inner Mongolia
- Drummer, but only in 4/4 time
- Recovering golfer
Why Education?
I believe that education is the engine for socioeconomic mobility. It also lays the groundwork for finding and pursuing purpose, through exposure to people, ideas and opportunities that allow us to discover ourselves. And somewhat selfishly, I also believe that an informed and educated society is to our personal benefit.
Maria Torres
Administrative Assistant
“What wouldn’t I sacrifice to give my kids a better chance?”
– Narisco Rodriguez
As a first generation American, Maria deeply believes that education is the most powerful tool to better opportunity. She reminds her kids every day of the importance of a quality education. Her passion is serving people, and she goes above and beyond to provide great customer service to anyone who walks through Reach’s door. She loves to run (when she finds the time!) and take long walks with her two children.
Little Known Facts
- Identical twin sister
- Helped to raise 10 nieces and nephews
- Native Spanish speaker
Why Education?
As an immigrant from Guanajuato, Mexico, I understood at a young age the sacrifices that my family made to provide a better future for me and my siblings. My lived experience with the US education system was mixed quality, and I hope my work can strengthen our schools – especially for those new to this country and the language – so every child can reach their full potential.