Jeff is a successful cross-sector entrepreneur. He first founded and directed Breakthrough Twin Cities, a nonprofit college access and teacher training program. He then invented and commercialized a hit educational party game that won the prestigious Mensa Select award and was licensed by Hasbro. Before launching Venn Foundation, Jeff served as the Executive Director of an angel investor network; managed the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Capital program; and consulted for foundations making program-related investments into social enterprises. Jeff has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and he played a leadership role in drafting and advocating for Minnesota's Public Benefit Corporation statute. He was recognized with the “40 Under 40” award by the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal in 2015 and as "100 People to Know in 2020" by Twin Cities Business.