Elaine Truong has experience in emerging markets, having worked on Facebook’s open-source connectivity efforts in Africa and Southeast Asia. She now works on mobile developer frameworks as a product program manager at Facebook. Elaine is a mentor for the Startup Station accelerator program, serves on the board of SoGal Foundation, and a contributor to the On Community book. She’s passionate about scaling technologies and products across emerging markets, loves bringing people together across borders, and giving back to startup ecosystems.
Calanthia joined SoGal Foundation board at its formation in 2017 and is passionate about supporting the next generation of diverse founders and funders. She is an investor and founding team member of PayPal Ventures, PayPal’s Corporate Venture Capital arm. Calanthia is a proud investor in global early-stage fintech and commerce startups, such as Tala, Toss, DOSH, and Raisin, and works closely with portfolio companies such as Acorns and Raise. Aside from her work at SoGal, Calanthia also co-leads the fintech vertical at Bay Area Young VC network. She is recognized as an inaugural class member of Money 20/20’s highly selective Rise Up program and is one of the youngest speakers at Money 20/20 Asia. Calanthia graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, where she focused on the intersection of international security and women’s and genders studies.
Elizabeth Galbut is a venture capitalist, designer, professor, and global speaker on healthcare innovation. She is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SoGal Ventures which invests in diverse founding teams in the US and Asia. With over 50 investments to date, she is actively seeking to back exceptional startups revolutionizing how the next generation lives, works, and stays healthy.
Elizabeth’s favorite investment area is the intersection of smart design and machine learning/AI fueling major health tech innovation. Her portfolio of digital health startups include lab platform Everlywell, sexual wellness brand Unbound, digital pathology analytics pioneer Proscia, medication adherence tech eMocha, smart water bottle Hidrate, AI-powered drug discovery Insilico Medicine, smart socks Siren Care, data-driven skincare technology HelloAva, asthma management tool Tueo Health, and veterinary immunotherapy technology Vetivax.
Born and raised in China, Pocket Sun came to LA for her master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Never did she plan on becoming an entrepreneur, but she quickly realized that gender disparity is a huge issue. She felt compelled to change the status quo and disrupt the boys’ club. And that’s exactly what she did. SoGal was born – a platform that empowers the next generation to succeed, and a community that connects global entrepreneurs to change the world. Since the beginning, SoGal has been relentlessly bringing new ideas to life and supporting great startups. Pocket also went on to become a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SoGal Ventures which invests in diverse founding teams in the US and Asia.
Pocket has extensive experience working with startups and corporations across the US, China, and Southeast Asia. She has been on the cover of Forbes Asia magazine as a 30 Under 30 in Venture Capital, selected as LinkedIn Top 10 Voices in VC & Entrepreneurship, and interviewed by BBC, CNBC, Fortune, CCTV, Inc., Harper’s BAZAAR, etc. Pocket has been a featured speaker at the most prestigious conferences around the world, including Microsoft CEO Summit, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, and TEDx. She holds a Master of Science degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from University of Southern California.