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About this event
Description: In a challenging lending landscape where small and mid-sized businesses face a rejection rate of 60-70% for loans, securing capital can feel overwhelming—especially for women-owned businesses. This session explores alternative financing options, from grants to private credit and merchant cash advances, and provides insight into how to navigate the complexities of the loan process. Join us to learn how to protect your business from high rates, covenants, and personal guarantees, and to understand the best timing for seeking capital. You'll leave with practical strategies and resources to help you finance your business.
Key Discussion Points:
-Overview of the lending landscape, from banks to alternative lenders -Where to find the right loans and how to protect yourself -Navigating grants and other non-loan financing options -Timing your capital search for maximum benefit
This conversation is essential for entrepreneurs, and small to mid-size company CEOs and CFOs looking to explore all possible routes to secure the capital they need to run and grow their businesses.
Experts
Yuriko Mita Managing Director
Yuriko is a dynamic executive with 30+ years of demonstrated success building innovative new businesses in the regulated
financial environment that deliver significant value to companies while working alongside a variety of stakeholders. She has
founded and co-founded three businesses that grew from zero up to $300mm in revenues.
She is adept at creating, assessing, and implementing organizational strategy, technology transformations, digital blueprints, values, goals, and long-term business plans and compliance in complex and evolving regulatory environments and with regulatory reviews. She has robust expertise working with broker-dealers, institutional asset managers, institutional investors, retail investor clients, wealth management firms, and equity derivatives. She has a strong track record of team building, product development, sales growth, devising and developing new products, pricing, and booking tools, and ensuring the long-term health and viability of businesses, generating billions of revenue over years.
She has served on the board of Luma, A fintech with a $250mm post-money valuation in 3 years and $3bn in sales annually, a fully customizable, multi-product, multi-issuer, carrier-neutral platform. There she served on the Compensation Committee and provided counsel on crucial equity investments, supporting two funding rounds that propelled the company’s valuation, and provided consultancy to the CEO, contributing to the company’s growth. She also served on the board of Third Avenue Music Settlement School, the nation's longest-running community music school providing music and dance instruction to more than 6,000 students each year, as chair of the finance committee.
Currently, she is founder and Managing Director of Hikari Projects a New York-based firm supporting companies in the financial services industry including a $70bn AUM asset manager, a $300mm AUM insurance company, prop-tech, and reinsurance companies. She leads a wide variety of strategic initiatives from identifying alternative investments to exploring
product placement at wealth management firms, strategic advising on growth, M&A, due diligence, product development, client development, financial guidance, and acting as interim Chief Revenue Officer.
Prior to that, she spent over 25 years with Bank of America, A $98bn multinational financial institution, holding significant roles with increasing responsibility. Her last role was as Managing Director, Equity Product Sales to Retail Distribution Platforms, where she led two businesses focusing on retail clients, accessing 40% of wealth management advisors in the US. And as Third-Party Distribution Sales, where she revived a business, that had been closed for 7 years, grew it from $0 to $75mm in three years, and set up the business to double by 2024.
As Head of GWIM/GBAM Relationship, she served as a senior relationship manager to executives across departments to help the wealth management division grow revenues and gain more clients via referral efforts leading to #1 in enterprise ranking for cross-selling, four years in a row. She also served as Managing Director, Co-Head of Americas Equity Derivative
Sales, where she led the #1 ranked equity derivatives sales desk in the United States, a $250mm-$300mm revenue per year business while navigating the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch merger.
Early roles included Director, Equity Derivative Sales, where she founded the insurance equity derivative sales group leading to growth of $150mm annually. As VP, Equity Derivative Sales she was the sole equity derivatives marketer in the Tokyo,Japan office.
She has a BS in Economics (Cum Laude) from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, and a BA in History (Cum Laude), from the University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences. She also currently holds Series 3, 4, 7, 10, 24,56, 63, and 65 certifications.
Throughout her career, she has won several industry accolades. She is a mother to three children, and an avid skier, hiker, and tennis player. She frequent international traveler and actively invests in privately held companies that focus on areas like generative AI and fintech. She is fluent in Japanese.
Shing Pan Managing Director
Shing has 25+ years of experience in tech innovation, entrepreneurship, growth and operation, investment banking, and M&A across multiple industries. She is a seasoned public and private company board member and advisor, having served on all committees as committee chair and member and successfully helped companies she serves to navigate the economic uncertainties, financial hardships, value creation, and growth to profitability. As a serial tech startup entrepreneur turned licensed investment banker, Shing brings her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to her investment banking work, helping founders and CEOs to develop fundable investment thesis and growth strategies. Her deep industry knowledge, technology understanding, creative and out-of-the-box thinking, and passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable and market-leading business have made her a desired investment banker for both business owners and investors.
Hosts
Coco Brown CEO
Coco Brown is the Founder and CEO of Athena Alliance. Athena has helped thousands of leaders build their Portfolio of Impact and grow and advance in their executive careers. The company has also brought almost 500 women to corporate boards from growth stage private companies to name brand public companies. Coco has personally worked with hundreds of top leaders, CEOs and boards to evolve modern leadership. She’s served on ten commercial and non-profit boards and advisory boards, and has led two notable companies (Taos, acquired by IBM, and now Athena). She is part of Nasdaq's Governance Insights Council, and is often called on to share guidance to the evolving focus and breadth of responsibility within the Modern Boardroom. Coco was recently named one of the 100 Most Powerful People of Silicon Valley.
Mon, Oct 07 @ 12:00pm PT (1 hr)
VIRTUAL (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Invite Only
Salon
Upcoming Events
Join us for a Salon or Meetup to get a peek inside our community! Peer Groups and Learning Circles are exclusively for members - log in here
- ALL events
- A Look Inside Athena
- Peer Group
- Salon
- Meetup
- Orientation
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena is held monthly for prospect members to come and understand how Athena works. They will learn more about the backstory of Athena, see a tour of our platform, and have the opportunity to discuss more of what they are interested in and ask questions about joining our community.
Salons
Learn about the most pressing topics facing executives today in an intimate, yet casual, virtual setting. Hosted by board directors and leaders from the world's top brands.
Meetups
Gather with Athena members in your area for a casual, in-person Meetup. These are planned by request and hosted by Athena members in various cities. If you're interested in hosting and/or joining a meetup in the future, reach out to the Member Success Team and let them know.
Peer Groups
We have an incredible community of female leaders at Athena and we want to bring you closer together! Join a Peer Group and build a network of peers you can engage with for guidance, lessons learned and insights around a shared interest. Choose a topic that most interests you or drop in and out of multiple peer groups as it suits you best. You’ll find at least one peer group available to join every week. Each live session goes for one hour, no preparation is needed, just show up as you are. We look forward to seeing you there!
Learning Circles
A Learning Circle is an opportunity to connect with a small group of other Athena members in a focused yet casual setting, creating accountability around targeted learning to assist you in achieving your goals. Over the course of 6 sessions, club members will meet every 2 weeks to participate in an organic, peer-led discussion of the session's "chapters" consisting of 1-2 Athena salons which are to be reviewed on your own prior to the group session. When joining, members are committing to completing all 6 sessions.
Guided Networking
Typically led by one of Athena's coaches, networking events provide members an opportunity to meet one another in a smaller intimate and virtual setting.
Partner Events
These are typically in-person events led by Coco and our partnering companies on topics that are relevant to the industry and audience of our business partners.
Workshops
A workshop is an interactive session for members to actively practice something, such as their pitch. These sessions typically involve breakout rooms, member to member feedback and are not recorded.
Orientations
For members new to Athena looking for ways to engage, these bi-weekly orientations led by an Athena Member Success Manager, provide a live tour of Athena, member success insights, and a chance to get questions answered.
Enterprise Events
Athena customizes virtual learning events with expert business leaders tailored to a unique company’s needs. These events cultivate cross-functional community, development, and learning across the partner organization.
Other
Athena listens and we're always adding new event types and opportunities for members to engage. See what new events we are currently offering members.
No Upcoming Events Found.
Fri, Oct 11 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Salon
Non-Traditional Board Journeys
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Salon
Taking Risks as a Woman
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Karen Bulluck
Salon
Discover Executive Elevate
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Christina Mitine, Christine Jennings
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Shelly Morales
Salon
Innovating for Impact
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Zenia Tata
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Jennifer Tejada, CEO of PagerDuty
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jennifer Tejada, Suja Chandrasekaran
Salon
Establishing Your Executive Presence
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Kathryn Vandiver
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Meetup
In Person: Colorado Convention in Denver, CO (6:00-8:00 PM MT)
Host: Courtney Harrison
Experts: Coco Brown
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Fri, Oct 25 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Meetup
In Person: Connect Over Charcuterie in Austin, TX (5:30-7:30 PM CT)
Host: Kirsten Newbold-Knipp
Salon
Proxy Advisors - What Do They Do And How Much Influence Do They Really Have?
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nichol Garzon-Mitchell
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Sheri Bronstein, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bank of America
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheri Bronstein, Belen Gomez
Peer Group
Go-to-Market Leaders
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Fri, Nov 01 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Karen Cone
Salon
WCEO Perspectives with Wendy Thomas, CEO of Secureworks
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Patricia Lizarraga, Wendy Thomas
Meetup
In Person: A Cozy Evening in Mukilteo, WA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Beth Lewis
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Salon
Chair[wo]man of the Board
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Gayle Crowell
Meetup
In Person: Learn to Influence Like The FBI with Executive Coach Sheryl Kline in San Diego, CA (11:00-1:00 PM PT)
Host: Sheryl Kline
Salon
Taking an Intentional Pause
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Kim Newton
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
Experienced Board Director AMA with Sheila Bangalore
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheila Bangalore
Meetup
In Person: Leadership Luncheon in Pleasanton, CA (1:30-3:30 PM PT)
Host: Christine Heckart
Salon
Experienced Board Director AMA with Nina Vaca
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nina Vaca
Meetup
In Person: Empowerment Evening in Los Angeles, CA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Donna Raphael
Salon
Discover Executive Elevate Session 2
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Christina Mitine, Christine Jennings
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Trailblazing Founders: Breaking Through Invisible Boundaries
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Deepti Pahwa
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Meetup
In Person: Athena Walking Group in Mountain View, CA (5:15-7:45 PM PT)
Host: Barbara Troupin
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
Sustainable Innovation: At the Speed of Light and at the Edge of Space
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Rika Nakazawa
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Shelly Morales
Meetup
In Person: The Dharma of Money and Your Professional Portfolio of Impact in Tiburon, CA (4:30-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Alison Davis
Experts: Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Coco Brown
Salon
How Prescient Boards Evaluate Compliance Offices and Provide Oversight
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Avril Ussery Sisk
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Anika Howard
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Anika Howard
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Audit Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Carol Coughlin, Katrinka McCallum
Salon
Become an Investor
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Lilia Shirman
Peer Group
Go-to-Market Leaders
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Salon
Nailing the Board Interview
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nora Denzel
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Networking Strategies for Board Roles
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Katrinka McCallum
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
Chairing the Nominations and Governance Committee
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
How to Be a Human-Centered Leader and Stay Focused on Performance and Results
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Maria Ross
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Shelly Morales
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Jacqui Canney, CPO of ServiceNow
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jacqui Canney
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
Charting an Intentional Path Toward Corporate Board Service
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Keith Dorsey
Salon
The Leader's Voice Playbook
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Dia Bondi
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Walter Bugno, CEO of Games Global
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Walter Bugno, Sheila Bangalore
Salon
The Power of Mentorship
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheri Miksa
Salon