Who We Are

Management and Staff

Daniel N. Robin, managing director, has more than 20 years financial, executive/board and venture catalyst experience. Specializing in food-friendly biorenewable technology commercialization, sustainable investment strategy, business case analysis and presentation, Mr. Robin is adjunct professor of International Business at Fisher Graduate School in Monterey, CA, one of the Top Ten MBA Programs in the Nation for Entrepreneurship (ranked 8th out of more than 700 graduate schools). Author of more than 150 published articles on leadership, communication, and professional development, Mr. Robin also serves on the board of the Sustainability Academy and several In3-funded ventures. Consulting clients include Hewlett Packard, Pacific Gas & Electric, Diversey Lever, Driscoll's, Chemical Fabrics and Film Association, numerous NGO, governments and educational institutions. After completing his formal education at UC Santa Cruz (1981, Computer & Information Science) and UC Berkeley (1984, Marketing and International Business), Mr. Robin received certificates in public speaking, coaching, and NeuroLinguistic Programming (NLP Comprehensive). View Mr. Robin's complete bio.

Audition Mr. Robin as a speaker/facilitator (download 4-1/2 minute video sample), 2.7Mb
20-min.webinar "Raising Affinity Capital -- five common fundraising mistakes and how to prevent them

Karin H. Leonard, director, has a background in science and business coaching to deliver investor screening, presentation development, executive coaching and due diligence services (in the life science and cultural evolution) arenas. Ms. Leonard maintains a private practice as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC), holds advanced certifications in hypnosis and NeuroLinguistic Programming (NLP) from Halcyon College and from Laura Grinder & Associates, and a BA and teaching credential in science from Colorado University. Ms. Leonard is a native of Germany, and speaks fluent English, German and French.

Ryan Sarnataro, senior financial analyst, has 25 years experience in key leadership roles with a wide variety of business operations at various stages of development. He has served as director of marketing with Fine Dried Foods International, as operations manager for Maggie's Organic Products, and as president of Sierra Natural Foods, an importer, wholesale distributor and private label marketer of natural products. Mr. Sarnataro holds a bachelor's in Psychology, with minor in Economics, from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Alan Bilinsky, technology analyst, is former director, Marina Small Business Incubator (MSBI, now called Marina Technology Cluster), and has held a variety of business development positions including starting and operating his own businesses, working as a marketing and business development consultant and evaluating technologies and facilitating technology spin-offs at the University of Michigan. Some of his accomplishments include starting 13 companies for University of Michigan as part of their Technology Management Office, helped raised venture capital for Kanisa (approximately $7M), and was director of business development in numerous held positions, arranged licensing and strategic partnership agreements with F500 companies (such as IBM, etc.), wrote SBIR, STTR, ATP and other grants, and helped numerous businesses get to commercial proof-of-concept that enabled funding.

Emily LaBarre, operations manager, administrative and research assistant, has a background in economics, social enterprise operations and cleantech start-ups. Previous work experience includes Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and Responsible Hospitality Institute where she researched sponsorship and grant opportunities from corporate foundations and SRI investors. Ms. LaBarre earned a B.A. in Global Economics (with honors) from University of California Santa Cruz, and is a recipient of the College Nine Distinction Award. With In3, she also helps qualify and track incoming ventures.

Iryna Papalamava, financial / investment analyst, has served as a business analyst and researcher for securities and wealth management firms in California and Oregon. She holds her Series 7 General Securities license (2007), and works on business case, investment strategy, and biorenewables venture development projects for In3. Prior positions include Stone & Youngberg LLC (San Francisco), Alsin Capital Management, and RBC Dain Rauscher, both in Eugene, Oregon. Presently enrolled at Monterey Institute of International Studies (Monterey, CA) earning a Master of Arts in International Environmental Policy (2009 Candidate), with a prior degree in Business Administration with concentration in Finance and International Business from Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis.

Jonathan Harris, principal, has served as associate director of sales and marketing for a SF Bay Area publishing company, account supervisor and lobbyist for Hill & Knowlton (a PR firm based in Washington, DC, where he counseled clients on public affairs matters at the federal, state and local levels) and prior to 1991 as a legislative aide. Mr. Harris holds a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University (Connecticut) and a masters in clinical psychology from Argosy University in California.

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Advisory Board Members

Brian Cayton, JD, Natural Foods Industry Consultant

Virginia Johnson, Executive Director, Ecology Action

Steve Knaub, Entrepreneur, & Board Member, The Sustainability Project of Santa Barbara

Yimin Liang, Ph.D., Entrepreneur

Jeremiah Ridenour, Founder & CEO, WISE Solutions

Sharon Sarris, Founder and CEO, Green Fuse Energy Co; U.S. Green Building Council LEED™ Accredited Professional, and partner in SustainabilityWorks.

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