Jenna Winocur
Jenna Winocur is an analyst at Graham & Walker and a recent Seattle Inno Under 25 recipient. She manages G&W's Catalyst and Founder Day programs, contributes to the investment process, and supports the growth and success of G&W’s portfolio founders. She graduated from Cornell University in 2021 where she co-founded Social Enterprise at Cornell, a university organization that inspired students to explore careers at the intersection of business and social change through consulting projects, workshops, and community. She also co-founded Life Changing School, which empowered 30 students across the globe to become social entrepreneurs within their communities. Now, she volunteers with the Mona Foundation to lead workshops for high school students around the world who would like to explore ways to make a difference in addressing a social need in their own communities. I am always open to connecting with anyone who shares my passions for supporting underrepresented founders or increasing access to quality education!
Please connect with me and reach out on LinkedIn if you'd like to chat.
Share your journey with us - how did you get to where you are today?
In the fourth grade, a school project opened my eyes to the stark reality of unequal access to quality education. Moved, I sought out the Ghana Educational Collaborative (GEC), a nonprofit dedicated to addressing this very issue. It was through GEC that I met William Yakah, a beneficiary of the organization. Over the ensuing years, our friendship deepened as we navigated our respective educational journeys. I actively supported William's pursuit of higher education in the United States, witnessing his transformation from a GEC beneficiary to a PhD Candidate at Columbia University. His success shaped my comprehension of the profound impact access to quality education can have. The concept of social entrepreneurship captivated me during my freshman year of high school, courtesy of my cousin, Ben Gilbert. At a Techstars Startup Weekend he organized in Denver, I not only had an extraordinary experience but also pitched for my team on the final demo day. The conviction that social entrepreneurship was the instrument needed to impact millions of students like William globally firmly took root. Upon graduating from Cornell University in 2021 with a major in Social Innovation, I embarked on initiatives aimed at societal change. Co-founding Social Enterprise at Cornell, I sought to empower students to tackle social issues through business. I co-founded Life Changing School to teach high school students from around the world to make a meaningful impact in their communities through entrepreneurship. My mentorship role at Blackstone LaunchPad and Life Changing Labs allowed me to collaborate with inspiring founders and guide startups. Post-graduation, my foray into deploying social impact capital within an upstate NY community deepened my understanding of the practical applications of social entrepreneurship. A connection from my Techstars Boulder internship led me to Graham & Walker (G&W), formerly the Female Founders Alliance (FFA). Originating as a response to biases and support gaps faced by women in entrepreneurship, G&W has evolved into a force investing in female founders addressing deeply human problems. I worked remotely for the first year as the Operations and Events Manager. I recently transitioned to Seattle, joining the investment team. G&W has afforded me the privilege of engaging with networks of women reshaping the landscape of Venture Capital and women in entrepreneurship. I'm proud to be moving the needle toward living in a world where the NASDAQ is comprised of companies led by women. That is a world I want to live in. Seattle also provided an avenue to connect with the Mona Foundation, a nonprofit empowering girls in extreme poverty through education. Volunteering to develop their Youth Ambassador program, I guide high school students in thinking globally and acting locally, using Mona's distinctive approach to development. This volunteer work integrates my experiences with Life-Changing School, creating a synergy of empowerment for youth in support of a nonprofit dedicated to girls' education. I acknowledge the privilege of acquiring skills and pursuing opportunities aligned with my values and passions. While recognizing that I am at the beginning of my journey, these experiences are instrumental in shaping my trajectory toward making a profoundly meaningful impact by uplifting and empowering others. I am grateful to all who have supported me on this journey and continue to do so.
How would you like to see networks for ambitious women change?
The empowerment from networks of ambitious women is incredibly valuable, particularly in the face of an antiquated system. Beyond offering support, these networks of women can demonstrate that success can look different from the patriarchal ideas we're raised with. Witnessing women navigate their individual trajectories inspires me to follow a path aligned with my values in a way that is authentic to who I am. Having this influence can be life-changing, and I hope every woman has access to a network of ambitious women to help her see what she is capable of.
“Community is the secret ingredient that fuels growth. It’s the collective force that propels us forward, enabling us to achieve more together than we ever could on our own.”