In addition to investing, Fern Mandelbaum is an entrepreneur, coach, and teacher. She specializes in creating and growing technology-focused businesses primarily in the consumer internet, mobile, media, and software space. Since 1998, Ms. Mandelbaum has worked with CEO’s helping them develop and refine their business concepts, recruit management teams, key advisors, and board members, implement fundraising strategies, and establish strategic alliances.

Ms. Mandelbaum teaches Entrepreneurship from the Perspective of Women at Stanford Business School and co-teaches the Accel Innovation Scholars Program in the Engineering School. She has been a mentor and advisor in the Mayfield Fellows Program, part of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, for ten years, and is an adviser to StartX, Stanford’s accelerator. She has lectured at Brown University, San Jose State, and Stanford’s Ignite, Exec Ed, and Continuing Studies programs.

She also works with companies including LinkedIn and RelateIQ on leadership, culture, and inclusiveness. She was co-founder and CEO of Skyline Products, one of the premier toy invention firms that was sold to IDEO. She has also worked at Metcal, Bain and Company, SRI International, Hewlett Packard, and the Kyoto Shinyo Bank (in Kyoto, Japan).

>Ms. Mandelbaum received her M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1988 and her B.A. in Economics from Brown University in 1984. Fern was raised in New York City and now calls Palo Alto, California home. She enjoys competing in triathlons, participating in yoga, pilates, and SoulCycle, and coaching youth sports. She is married and has two children, Miles, 16, and Skylar, 22.

Co-founder - Adero Partners (formerly Vista Wealth Management) in 1999 and Vista Venture Partners in 2014.

CEO - Adero Partners (formerly Vista Wealth Management, LLC), a California-based Registered Investment Advisor based in the Bay Area.

Partner - Vista Venture Partners, LLC, sourcing new opportunities to the firm, investment committee, mentoring entrepreneurs and their companies.

Angel Investor - Since 1995, Michael has invested in various early-stage companies, including Facebook, PA Semiconductor, Buuteeq, Flipboard, and Palantir.

Past - Partner and Board Member of Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc, a California Accounting and Consulting Firm.

Education - Michael is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, holds a CPA, PFS, and is licensed to provide investment advisory services in the State of California.

Community Activities - Board member Menlowe Ballet, LEMO Foundation, and member of the Peninsula Leadership Council for AIM High.

Aaron works with our general partner to review investment opportunities and meet with founders. He enjoys helping founders refine their pro forma models and fundraising presentations, drawing on his finance and industrial design background. Aaron is currently advising a PropTech software company in Los Angeles as they prepare for a Series A. Aaron previously worked as a consultant providing business and stock option valuation services (409A) for early-stage companies, litigation support for expert testimony, and tax preparation for individuals, pass-through entities, and trusts.

Aaron is also a Principal at Vista’s RIA affiliate, Adero Partners, and works with clients who have started their own companies after a successful liquidity event as an employee.

Aaron graduated Summa Cum Laude with a finance degree from the University of San Francisco and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

Aaron is a volunteer coach for the San Francisco Sabercats youth ice hockey program. He also served on the Board of Directors for the SFGH Foundation, the non-profit organization supporting the mission of San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center.