With over a decade of experience in venture capital and finance, Jefferson has been instrumental in driving innovation and economic development in Utah. He also serves as the Associate Commissioner of Innovation for the Utah System of Higher Education, Executive Director of the Innovation District at The Point and as a representative in the Utah House of Representatives. His extensive background includes experiences as founder of the E2I Initiative, UVU Wolverine Fund, and various leadership positions in finance and higher education. His career is marked by a commitment to fostering growth, creativity, and collaboration across multiple sectors, making him a valuable asset to the Utah Innovation Fund. 

Gabi serves as the Director of Innovation & Commercialization at the Utah System of Higher Education, promoting statewide economic development initiatives. Before her current role, Gabi was an Investment Analyst at Intermountain Ventures, where she contributed to various strategic investments in healthcare. She also held positions at Leavitt Partners, Keck Medicine of USC, and Discovery Genomics, Inc., gaining valuable experience in healthcare systems engineering and project management. Gabi holds a strong background in healthcare and research, and her diverse experiences and dedication to innovation make her a valuable asset to the Utah Innovation Fund team.

Jerry Henley serves as a Managing Director at the Utah Innovation Fund and Assistant Commissioner at the Utah System of Higher Education, where he oversees fundraising and partnership development for Convergence Hall at The Point. With nearly 20 years in the pharma and biotech industries, he has built an extensive background in corporate and government sales and has a strong track record in business development. Before joining the Utah Innovation Fund, Jerry was a Managing Director at The Connor Group and held senior roles as VP of Business Development at Sorenson Capital, Assistant Vice President in Institutional Advancement at Utah Valley University, and Chief Revenue Officer at Tula Health.

With a strong background in project coordination and fund management, Tori currently serves as an OCHE Specialist and Project Coordinator for The Point at the Utah System of Higher Education. Tori's background includes time as an analyst with Assure ,and as Investment Analyst Intern for Utah Valley University's Wolverine Fund. She held several leadership roles as a student at Utah Valley University, serving as Lead Presidential Intern and Student Director of Excellence and Innovation Initiative. She has demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students, and her diverse experiences and dedication to both the venture capital industry and higher education make her a strong leader at Utah Innovation Fund.

Angela Smith is joining the Utah Innovation Fund with deep experience in both education and investing. She started her career as a high school educator teaching at schools across the country in DC, Houston, and San Jose. While receiving her MBA at BYU, she pivoted into the Utah venture and tech scene with roles at Pelion Venture Partners, Cougar Capital, and Sorenson Impact Fund. After completing her MBA, Angela joined Origin Ventures investing in Utah companies across industries including fintech, saas, marketplaces, and energy.

In her role with the fund she will direct the overall fund’s investment process. She will also oversee programming for Convergence Hall, a world class innovation hub that facilitates interdisciplinary industry, academic, and government partnerships to generate and commercialize new ideas.

Angela has a deep commitment to combining education and tech in order to create innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

Melissa brings a wealth of experience to her role at Utah Innovation Fund. Prior to joining the fund, Melissa served as the Foundation Director at Saving Gracie Foundation, an equine medical rehabilitation rescue. Her background includes a significant tenure as a Senior Lab Specialist at the University of Utah's Dudek Neurosurgery Lab, experience as a realtor with Century 21, and her foundational work as a Certified Veterinary Technician at Highland Road Animal Hospital. Melissa's multifaceted expertise in project management, customer satisfaction, and her strong organizational skills, makes her a great addition to our team.