fueling the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship
fueling the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship
The Refinery, a pioneer in accelerating women-led tech companies, achieved rapid and exciting results: 39 companies mentored by 90+ subject expert mentors, raised $80 million+ in funds. More than 250 women-led tech companies were uncovered through unique pitch competitions. The Refinery awarded $260,000+ in non-dilutive grants.
The Refinery’s mission has broadened to helping other entrepreneur support organizations become more sustainable, diverse and impactful. We design and build mentor networks, entrepreneurship education, grant programs, providing coaching, mentorship and advisory services.
To fuel the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Janis has been helping companies innovate, create and quickly launch new businesses for more than 25 years. First, through her own company, which focused on helping high tech startups and then later advising and funding new financial service companies. Janis has helped found and launch several companies including two non-profit organizations.
As a Consulting Partner at KPMG, Janis worked with top financial service firms, leveraging innovation techniques to recreate businesses and new electronic markets. As Managing Director at JPMorgan's LabMorgan, she ran the financial services business incubator where they advised and funded new Financial Services Technology ventures.
Dedicated to community service, always an innovator, and creator of pragmatic solutions, Janis served on Westport’s Board of Finance, and as Chairman of Westport’s Parks and Rec, where she created an innovative public/private solution to continue the investment in the Town’s parks and recreation facilities.
Don't go it Alone (Connections are Important)
Jen has over twenty five years of experience as CFO for venture backed and startup companies in multiple industries. She has the unique ability to manage detail while engaged in strategy alongside CEOs, boards, financing and strategic partners. Recent clients include venture backed high tech and biotech companies, media and e-commerce companies and consumer product companies.
Jen began her career as an investment banking analyst at Merrill Lynch. After Columbia Business School, she focused on developing her operational finance expertise as a senior manager and CPA in the entrepreneurial services and administrative leadership at Coopers & Lybrand. She was the CFO for Extraprise (now Quickpivot) for its first seven years where she built and oversaw finance, HR and IT. She has deep expertise in financial modeling, fund raising, mergers and acquisitions, HR and back office operations, and a strong track record raising venture capital and early stage financing.
Jen has an AB from Dartmouth College and has been a lecturer and researcher at both Tuck and Harvard Business Schools.