I am an advisor for Physis.
Gretchen, tell us about yourself
I grew up in Johnstown, New York and went to LeMoyne College in Syracuse for business. Having spent 25 years in traditional financial services, I endured the challenges of the financial services industry: antiquated technology, inefficient processes, and little to no diversity. Leaving the corporate world in 2013, I began my adventure in the startup world and realized first-hand the same inequities and inefficiencies in traditional angel and venture capital investing.
As Co-Founder of Capital Access for ALL, I am building a community bringing together founders and investors ready to turn the tide and open up access to capital for all founders, not just those with pre-established networks. I co-authored the book “LAUNCH: 11 Key Elements of Wildly Successful Startups,” am an angel investor and a member of Fintech Women, Boston Women for Fintech and Financial Services, Boston Fintech Meetup, Crowdfunding Professional Association, and Boston Blockchain Association.
What is your role at Physis?
At Physis, I act as an advisor. I am impressed and excited by the mission, commitment, diversity and fun loving nature of the team.
What does impact investing mean to you?
To me, impact investing is leveraging time and money to leave the world a little better off than how you found it. And doing that in a sustainable way means that a better future is there for others to enjoy and leverage.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
If ever I find myself on a deserted island, I hope to have my dog and a knife.
Quote or mantra that you live by?
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. And the word I try to live by each day is “give.”