Biography
Risa has played a significant role in the early operations, financing and development of over 40 companies including: Veracyte (NASDAQ:VCYT), Foundation Medicine (NASDAQ;FMI) Trius (NASDAQ;TSRX sold to Cubist), Pacific Biosciences (NASDAQ:PACB), Corthera (acquired by Novartis), Quantum Health (acquired). Risa created and led the GE Ventures New Business Creation team that founded Evidation Health, Vineti, Menlo Microsystems, Drawbridge Health, and Avitas. Risa was a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers where she founded and developed therapeutics, tools, and molecular diagnostics companies. As a principal at J.P. Morgan Partners she sponsored venture and growth investments supported international investing. Before joining the venture capital industry, Risa worked as a derivative specialist on the Chicago Board of Trade. Risa holds a degree in genetics and development with distinction from the University of Illinois, a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Chicago, and was a member of the second class of Kauffman Fellows.