SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Venture Forward today announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors: Barry Eggers, Founding Partner of Lightspeed; Samara Hernandez, Founding Partner of Chingona Ventures; and Courtney McCrea, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Recast Capital.
Venture Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to shaping a stronger, more diverse future for the U.S. venture capital (VC) ecosystem. Venture Forward was launched in June of 2020 as a supporting organization to the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) where several Venture Forward initiatives were incubated. Venture Forward’s programs, impact, and community have grown tremendously, with more than 2,000 people matriculating through its VC University certificate course and 175 emerging managers who have participated in its LP Office Hours program, and more. More than 375 VC firms participated in its most recently released VC Human Capital Survey in 2020.
“I’m thrilled to welcome this new board class at a time when our impact and community are continuing to see strong growth,” said Maryam Haque, Executive Director of Venture Forward. “Barry, Samara, and Courtney each bring a unique and important perspective. Their leadership and guidance will strengthen our board and further the organization’s mission to increase the representation of women, people, of color, and other marginalized communities in VC.”
“I look forward to continuing my work with NVCA as a Venture Forward board member – and a particular focus on building intersectional diversity within the venture capital community,” said Barry Eggers.
“I’ve seen first-hand the benefit of NVCA and Venture Forward’s programs. Attending a workshop in 2017 helped solidify my idea to raise my own fund. Additional programs helped in solidifying my investment thesis, and I made incredible connections. I was able to raise my first fund in 2019 and now my second this year. My team members have also participated in VC University before they joined our firm. I am thrilled to join the Venture Forward board and give back to an organization that has helped my firm. I look forward to helping the next generation of VC investors and fund managers,” said Samara Hernandez.
“I’m so proud to serve on the board of an organization that shares my and my firm’s values, and I’m excited to work with Venture Forward to help further advance diverse emerging managers in venture,” said Courtney McCrea.
With the appointment of Barry, Samara, and Courtney, the Venture Forward board now consists of a diverse set of 11 directors.
Venture Forward is funded through the financial support of 130+ individual and VC firm donors, as well as founding donors Silicon Valley Bank, Deloitte, and Gunderson Dettmer.
