About Us

History & Vision

Founded in 2018, Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs of Southern California (SAE-SoCal) is a dynamic community that bridges the gap between Stanford alumni residing in Southern California and the thriving Stanford entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our mission is to create a robust network that connects Stanford alumni to innovative opportunities and fosters meaningful connections with the vibrant Southern California ecosystem. 

Our vision is to build an inclusive platform where Stanford alumni can leverage their expertise, resources, and entrepreneurial spirit to drive impactful ventures and collaborations in various industries. Southern California, with its population of 23 million, offers a diverse landscape of companies and talent across media and entertainment, consumer products, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, healthcare, real estate, logistics, and beyond. 

With dedicated leadership teams in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange County, and San Diego, we aim to cultivate a network of changemakers, empowering them to turn visionary ideas into reality. Through our events, pitch sessions, and mentorship programs, we foster an environment that nurtures innovation, accelerates growth, and transforms the region's entrepreneurial landscape.

Membership

Membership at SAE-SoCal is inclusive and open to all Stanford alumni and affiliates, encompassing students, faculty, staff, and parents or spouses of alumni or students. As a community-driven platform, we also extend membership to individuals outside of Stanford who share our passions and objectives, at the discretion of the SAE-SoCal Board of Directors, thus welcoming them as "non-affiliated" members.

To participate in our pitch sessions, investors are required to attest to their accredited investor status. We take pride in providing a diverse and engaging environment, and non-accredited investors are welcome to join us as members and participate in all other SAE-SoCal events.

At SAE-SoCal, we believe in fostering a collaborative ecosystem where creative minds converge, opportunities flourish, and entrepreneurial dreams come to life. Join us today and be a part of this exciting journey towards innovation, impact, and shared success.

Partners

Some of our event sponsors include Brex, Dentons, DOMO, Morrison Foerster, Stanford Federal Credit Union, Manatt, Pacific Western Bank, Prospera Law and Samsung Next, while in-kind sponsors include Rustic Canyon Group, Expa, CrossCut Ventures and the Los Angeles Rams.

Our Leadership

Board of Directors and Officers

Justine Lassoff, 88
President LinkedIn
James “Jay” Day, 05
President Emeritus LinkedIn
Sebastian de Vivo, MA 09, PhD 12
Secretary/Treasurer
LinkedIn
Reynaldo Barcelo, JD 98
VP Events
LinkedIn
Alyssa Haerle, MA 15
VP Events
LinkedIn
Keith Coleman, 86
VP Impact
LinkedIn
Yihana von Ritter, 11
VP ImpactLinkedIn
Marshall Bennett, MA
VP MarketingLinkedIn
Michele Sconiers, MBA 02, JD 02
VP PartnershipsLinkedIn
Courtney Yang, 16, MS 17
Co-Chair, Pitch EventsLinkedIn
Ethan Yang, 07, MS 08
Co-Chair, Pitch EventsLinkedIn
Jose Ignacio Garcia Suarez, MBA 23
Officer, Pitch EventsLinkedIn
Gregg Homer, JSM 99, JSD 07
Officer, Pitch EventsLinkedIn
Gaurav Kumar, GSB Certificate 22
Officer, Pitch EventsLinkedIn
Scott Fox, JD 95
Chair, Orange CountyLinkedIn
Jamal Madni, MSM 20
Special EventsLinkedIn
Christopher Bobel, 06
Co-Chair, Santa BarbaraLinkedIn
Eric Saltzman, JD 87
Co-Chair, Santa BarbaraLinkedIn
Alessandro Rinaldi, MSx 18
Co-Chair, San DiegoLinkedIn
Sazan Ghafur, 13
Co-Chair, San DiegoLinkedIn
Grant Ognibene, MS 17
Officer, San Diego LinkedIn
Ariane Tom, 11, MS 14, PhD 17
Officer, San DiegoLinkedIn
Carlos Barcelo
Fellow
LinkedIn
Dilan Gohill
Fellow
LinkedIn
Jennifer Breton
Fellow
LinkedIn
Sienna Nazarian
Fellow
LinkedIn