Meet the AVC Team

the AVC TEAM
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Jen Palmer
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Jen:
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Jen Palmer

Executive Assistant

Jen is a versatile professional with over 20 years of experience delivering superior administrative and back-office oversight and multifaceted executive support. Proven talent for meeting the demands of challenging roles requiring expert prioritization, communication, and organization skills.

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Aaron Favreau
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Aaron:
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Aaron Favreau

Associate

Aaron Favreau holds a Political Science degree from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He commenced his career on Capitol Hill in the office of a U.S. Senator from Arizona, where he honed his skills in governmental affairs and policy analysis. Transitioning to the realm of state governance, Aaron spent five years serving the Governor of Arizona, spearheading diverse projects ranging from statewide negotiations to policy initiatives and operational enhancements within various state agencies.

Subsequently, Aaron transitioned to a pivotal role at a prominent political consulting firm, where he led the charge of crafting political strategies and overseeing operations for a myriad of candidates and corporate clients. Following his tenure, Aaron pursued higher education, obtaining his MBA from ASU. Aaron joined AVC in 2022. In his current capacity, Aaron coordinates deal flow, conducts due diligence, and spearheads research for AVC investments.

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Samad Reed
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Samad:
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Samad Reed

Director, Venture Capital Finance & Compliance

Samad Reed, a Newark, New Jersey native, holds an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. His academic journey also includes earning a BSBA in Economics and Finance from the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. With a background spanning Investment Banking, Technology, Financial Services, and Management Consulting, Samad brings a wealth of experience.

Throughout his tenure in business school and pivot into venture capital, Samad served as an Investment Fellow at Purple Sage Ventures, an MBA Associate at AZ-VC, and an MBA Intern at AVC. His diverse professional background has equipped him with a multifaceted skill set.

Beyond his corporate endeavors, Samad is an entrepreneurial enthusiast, a passion that kindled his interest in venture capital. His overarching goal is to support and empower entrepreneurs in realizing their aspirations within the dynamic landscape of startups. Reflecting his core philosophy on success, Samad embraces the mantra, “The only person that can determine your success is you.”

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Matthew Derminio
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Matthew Derminio

Venture Capital Intern
Matthew Derminio, a native of Arizona, is approaching his final semester at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Northern Arizona University where he honed his passion for Art, Design, Engineering, and Business. Matthew’s commitment to growing the Arizona ecosystem drives his academic, professional, and creative pursuits.
With nine years of industry experience spanning Client Engagement, Operations Management, Consulting, and Strategy, Matthew consistently demonstrates a commitment to innovation, novel technologies, and sustainability. This dedication led him to transition to international business with a focus on venture capital and contributing to the growth of Arizona. Matthew was selected as an MBA Intern at Arizona Venture Development Corporation through the ASU Blackstone LaunchPad Internship Program.
In his various leadership roles, Matthew built a substantial regional and global network significantly contributing to the startup ecosystem in Arizona. His dedication to fostering scalable, transdisciplinary solutions contextualized to local needs led him to AVC. Matthew seeks to leverage the digital transformation of the fourth industrial revolution to contribute toward creating sustainable and inclusive prosperity worldwide.
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Sasha Santamaria
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Sasha:

Sasha Santamaria

VC Program and Business Development Intern
Sasha Santamaria, an Arizona native, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Coordination and a master’s in Health Care Innovation at Arizona State University. She gained valuable experience as an intern at the Mayo Clinic and ASU MedTech Accelerator, contributing to an early-stage medical device company by improving joint research and development, licensing, and distribution, while engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and healthcare providers.
At ASU’s Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, Sasha focused on product development of a Class 1 medical device, refining skills in project management, user experience research, and sales. Currently, Sasha serves as a program developer at Healthmentors.org, a startup 501(c)(3) nonprofit, conducting early-stage market research, competitor analysis, defining unique value propositions, and managing partnerships and mentor recruitment.
As a VC Program and Business Development Intern at Arizona Venture Development Corporation, Sasha is eager to gain a holistic understanding of startups and use that knowledge to contribute to Arizona’s bioscience growth post-graduation.
The AVC BOARD
Vada Manager

Vada Manager

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Sandra Watson

Sandra Watson

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James Swanson

James Swanson

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