Introducing the 2025 PledgeLA VC Fellowship Cohort!

When a broad range of perspectives and experiences are incorporated into the fabric of the venture capital ecosystem, the entire industry thrives. With the support of the Annenberg Foundation, in 2019 we launched a first-of-its-kind VC program pathway expanding access to this innovative sector, particularly for those not well-represented in this space. Since then, we’ve placed 78 fellows in 10-week, full-time paid internships at top LA-based venture firms, and of our alumni, more than 50% are working in VC or tech related roles.

Our sixth-annual PledgeLA VC Fellowship is a core part of PledgeLA’s work to build a more resilient venture ecosystem in Los Angeles that is representative of our dynamic city. This summer, after a competitive selection process, we are excited to welcome our new cohort — 8 inspiring and impact-driven fellows matched at 7 L.A. based partner firms and accelerators. The 2025 PledgeLA VC Fellow cohort represents emerging leaders in venture that bring experience in entrepreneurship, social impact, health-tech, and more. Of this group, 63% identify as first-generation college graduates as well as coming from a lower socioeconomic background, 38% are women, 88% identify as people of color (Black, Latinx/e, and AAPI), and 25% identify as LGBTQIA+.

Each fellow participated in 4 months of intensive venture capital training, hosted by our training partner Cinematica Labs. During the program, fellows connected with founders of high-growth startups, and learned from experienced investors including Shane Kelly, Professor of Entrepreneurship at USC Marshall, and guest instructor Lisha Bell, Economic Opportunity Fund Manager at PayPal Ventures. As a capstone to the training, the cohort developed investment memos and venture investment strategies, while shaping their personal mission and vision as the next generation of leaders in venture capital. This summer, they will work alongside incredible venture leaders at firms including MaC Venture Capital, Slauson & Co., Sunstone Management, and more!

We look forward to the impact this class will make at their firms this summer and beyond. Join us in congratulating our 2025 PledgeLA VC Fellows and learn more about them below!

**Paola Avendano **University of California, Los Angeles Fellow at MaC Venture Capital

Paola recently completed her first year as a full time MBA student at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, where she holds director roles in student clubs and is building an analytical skillset for a career in venture capital. Raised both in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, her lived experiences and professional background in social impact led to her passion for economic development, viewing venture capital as a catalyst for change in this domain. As a proud daughter of a small business owner, she seeks to support diverse founders with promising ventures and a commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future. In her spare time, she is focused on leading a young professional network she founded and indulging in anything related to health and wellness.

**Mackenzie Carlson **University of Southern California Fellow at New Media Ventures

As a Los Angeles native, Mackenzie began her career in entertainment, working on the content side at Netflix and Roku before pursuing her MBA at USC Marshall. Managing creative projects and scaling content strategies deepened her curiosity about how businesses grow and evolve, ultimately inspiring her pivot to venture capital. Now, she is excited to support founders who are redefining industries, particularly in FemTech, EdTech, and Media. Outside of work, Mackenzie enjoys exploring LA’s vibrant arts and live music scenes, spending time outdoors, and championing initiatives that empower women in business.

**Enrique Loyola **Duke University Fellow at LACI

Enrique is a recent MBA graduate of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Before business school, he worked in customer success and business development, complementing his experience as the co-founder of On The Go LA, a startup that supported minority-owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrique also held strategy and e-commerce roles at FedEx and gained consulting experience at Accenture. His passion for venture capital and investing in underrepresented founders was further shaped by his participation in PledgeLA’s Founders Fund program in partnership with Grid110, an accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. Post-MBA, he is interested in roles in corporate finance and strategy at major tech firms, as well as opportunities in venture capital and consulting. Enrique is committed to driving strategic growth and expanding economic opportunities for diverse founders.

**Aaron Morgan **University of California, Los Angeles Fellow at Slauson & Co.

Aaron is a Southern California native and current MBA candidate at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Prior to business school, he worked for 8 years on the East Coast in various roles in strategy, operations and project-management across non-profit, government, corporate consulting, tech startups, and small businesses. His career trajectory led him to found ACM Consulting Group LLC, a social impact consulting firm. Aaron’s interest in venture capital stems from his startup and entrepreneurial experience, and he plans to pursue VC as a career after completing his MBA. He is a Consortium scholar, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) fellow, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) alum, and Wesleyan University (CT) graduate.

**Christopher Reyes-Miranda **California State University, Long Beach Fellow at Sunstone Management

Christopher is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Economics at California State University, Long Beach. He has had hands-on experience in portfolio management and economic analysis, as a former member of the Beach Investment Group at California State University, Long Beach. This experience sparked his interest in venture capital, and passion for evaluating economic trends, identifying investment opportunities, and understanding how businesses scale and create value.

**Jay Roman **University of California, Berkeley Fellow at VamosVentures

Jay is a seasoned tech and media strategist with experience scaling businesses at the intersection of content and technology at 21st Century Fox, Red Bull, and Twitch. An LA native, he earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and recently received his MBA from Berkeley Haas. His entrepreneurial pursuits sparked a deep interest in venture capital, motivating him to pursue hands-on experience in the industry. Jay aims to leverage his expertise in strategy and operations to transition into venture capital, where he can back the next generation of entrepreneurs and create lasting impact.

**Andre Wilkes **University of Southern California Fellow at Sunstone Management

Andre is a Detroit native, 2023 graduate of Howard University, and recently graduated with a Master’s of Social Entrepreneurship at USC’s Marshall School of Business. Andre carries a unique vantage point extending across sectors; made up of his experience in corporate social responsibility at the NFL and Ally Financial, in government at the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and local politics, and public relations in the entertainment industry. Alongside this, Andre is a National Committee Member of the NAACP & other organizations that share his goal of achieving global equity & universal humanity.

**Nissa Zafar-Khan **University of California, Los Angeles Fellow at Supply Change Capital

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nissa has over seven years of experience in Technology Finance and Asset-Based Banking and previously worked on the Business Development team at Wells Fargo, where she focused on private equity-backed companies. She was one of the founders of a telehealth company operating as an urgent care on wheels, where she worked on strategy and operations. She is pursuing an MBA at UCLA Anderson, specializing in Technology and Entrepreneurship, with a strong interest in venture capital and startups. Outside of work and school, she enjoys cooking and playing tennis. In the future, she aims to transition into venture capital, leveraging her finance, strategy, and entrepreneurial experience to support founders and drive innovation.

About PledgeLA

PledgeLA is a collective of Los Angeles-based venture capital firms and tech companies working to increase access to capital for all Angelenos, launched in 2018 in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation and the City of Los Angeles.

About Cinematica Labs

Cinematica Labs builds entrepreneurial ecosystems through community, capital, connectivity, and culture. Led by 3x founder, venture investor, and USC Professor Shane Kelly together with serial ecosystem builders Marcia Chong Rosado, Trivia Edwards, and Yolanda Sheffield, they have partnered with powerhouse organizations including Black Ambition, New Media Ventures, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Black Future House.

About Annenberg Foundation

The Annenberg Foundation is a family foundation that supports the worldwide community through its grantmaking and direct charitable activities. The Foundation provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally that have a deep level of community involvement, are led by effective leaders and tackle challenging and timely issues.