Louise J. Wannier, Chief Executive Officer
Louise Wannier is a serial entrepreneur who has a passion for transforming the consumer experience. Louise founded myShape to mesh online technical innovation with a larger consumer purpose that makes online shopping delightful. As an online merchant, Louise Wannier is a thought leader on several aspects of eCommerce based upon myShape's momentum and prior consumer leadership success as COO of Gemstar U.S. and CEO of Gemstar Europe. At Gemstar, Louise built VCR Plus+ into an international standard and the most successful consumer electronics product since the Sony Walkman. Louise earned a B.S. with Honors from California Institute of Technology and a MBA with honors from UCLA's Anderson School and a degree in Textile Design from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).
Emily Melton, Director, Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ)
Emily Melton, a Director at DFJ, manages investments in consumer applications and services, software, and technology-enabled services. Emily originally joined DFJ in 2000 and returned to the firm in 2005 after earning her MBA. Prior to returning to DFJ, successfully assisted the CEO of InSpa, a Seattle lifestyle retail venture with its new market entry. Emily works closely as an advisor or on innovative DFJ portfolio companies including Mailfrontier (acquired by SonicWall), Meebo, Ripple Networks, TrustedID, and WaveMarket. Currently, she also serves on the boards of Tagworld and NearbyNow. Emily holds a B.A. with honors and distinction in Political Philosophy and a MBA, both from Stanford University.
Philip S. Schlein, Venture Partner, US Venture Partners (USVP)
Phil Schlein has more than forty years of experience in venture capital, retail and technology companies. As a partner in U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), Phil has advised young companies on strategy, recruiting and finance since 1985. Previous to joining USVP, Phil had a successful 28-year career as an operating executive with R.H. Macy. He served as President and CEO of Macy's California from 1974 to 1985, during which time it became the dominant department store in California. Phil served on the R.H. Macy Board of Directors from 1977 to 1985. He also served on the Board of Directors of Apple Computer from 1979 to 1987. Phil holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Peter D. Whitford, Chairman, Parker & Morgan and Whitmarks, LLC
Peter Whitford serves as Chairman of Whitmarks LLC, a 75 year old business that connects international consumer brands from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. Whitmarks LLC advises financial institutions, hedge funds, venture capital funds on the global retail industry. Peter also founded Parker & Morgan, an international multi-channel retailer of sleep and wellness products and services. Prior to Whitmarks, Peter Whitford was the Chairman and CEO of Wet Seal; the President Worldwide of the Disney Stores, Catalog, and Online businesses; and the CEO of At Structure, a division of The Limited. Peter, a native Australian, is a global retail innovator. He earned a B.B, from University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. He is on the board of the Chandler School.
Dave Berkus, Chairman Emeritus, Tech Coast Angels
Dave Berkus is a founding partner of the Tech Coast Angels, the leading angel investor network in the United States. He has made 65 early stage venture investments yielding an IRR of 97%, which includes capital contributions from (Berkus Technology Ventures, LLC and Kodiak Ventures, L.P) where Dave serves as managing partner. Dave was named "Director of the Year" by the Forum for Corporate Directors of Orange County, California. Dave has formed, managed and sold successful businesses in the entertainment and software arenas and has obtained healthy returns from liquidity events in over a dozen early stage investments.
