Jessica Kates

 
Introduction
 

Jessica K. is a seasoned financial executive with an impressive educational background and an extensive, diversified career spanning over two decades. Jessica K.'s journey began at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Great Distinction, making it to the Dean's Honor List. Her academic pursuits also included an enriching exchange program in Angers, France, at l'École Supérieur de Sciences Commerciales d'Angers (ESSCA), further broadening her knowledge and exposure.

 
Educational Background
 

Jessica then pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School. Her academic focus was on Venture Capital, Private Equity, Entrepreneurship, and Investing, equipping her with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and thrive in the complex world of finance and business management.

 
Professional Career
 

Her professional career began as an Investment Banking Analyst at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette from 2000 to 2002. She then moved on to become a Senior Private Equity Associate at Catterton Partners, where she worked until 2005. Her role involved significant engagement in P&L management and cultivating comprehensive financial strategies.

Jessica's career took a dynamic turn when she became a Senior Research Analyst in Restaurants and Luxury Retail at Prime Capital, followed by her role as VP of Finance at Folica Inc. from 2008 to 2012. Her tenure as CEO at Eddie Borgo marked a period of high responsibility, managing profitability and leading the company towards growth from 2012 to 2014.

Between 2016 and 2019, Jessica was a Partner at TriSpan's Rising Stars Fund, concentrating on restaurant-focused investments. This period marked her transition into more strategic and advisory roles. Concurrently, she served on the boards of several notable organizations, including Stacked: Food Well Built, Rosa Mexicano Restaurants, and Yardbird Group. Her board memberships continued to influence the restaurant and hospitality industries significantly.

Jessica's expertise in financial strategy became even more pronounced with her roles in various companies over the years. She was the Interim CFO at Motif FoodWorks, where she notably raised $226 million in a Series B funding round, and also held the position of Interim CFO at Allonnia until 2024. Her strategic financial management skills were further showcased during her tenure at these companies.

 
Current Positions
 

Currently, Jessica serves in multiple high-profile positions. She is the Interim Chief Financial Officer at Liberation Labs, a Board Member at Ark Restaurants and RASA, and a Finance Strategist at Results Thru Strategy, Inc. Additionally, she is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Rellevant Partners, focusing on investments in the lower middle market of the restaurant and food & beverage industries.

 
Additional Skills and Certifications
 

Jessica K. is also recognized for her multilingual abilities, being fluent in English, French, Hebrew, Spanish, and Yiddish. Her certifications include Series 82, 63, and SIE from FINRA and an Advanced Scuba certification from PADI.

 
Testimonials
 

A testament to her leadership and strategic prowess is seen in the recommendation from Stephan Hengst, who praised her dynamic leadership and strategic abilities during her time at TriSpan.

 
Conclusion
 

Jessica K.'s career is marked by substantial roles in financial management, strategic planning, and board leadership, making significant contributions across various industries, particularly in FoodTech, BioTech, and the restaurant sector. Her journey is a remarkable blend of academic excellence, strategic foresight, and dynamic leadership.