Bio
Fern Mandelbaum, is an entrepreneur, coach, teacher, and investor. 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 fund raising strategies and establish strategic alliances. Her portfolio includes: Kanjoya, GridSpace, PicnicHealth, StarMaker Interactive, popchips, Accompany, Qualia, and BarnRaiser.
Ms. Mandelbaum is the Managing Partner at Vista Venture Partners, and is a partner at Monitor Ventures. 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, going on ‘dish’ walks, and coaching youth sports. She is married, and has two children, Miles,14 and Skylar, 20.