Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne is a venture capitalist who founded, WOCstar Capital and its signature fund, the WOCstar Fund, an early-stage investment fund that invests in tech companies led by women of color entrepreneurs (“WOCstars”) and diverse, inclusive teams. Gayle (pronounced: Gay-la) helps investors and allies to participate in a segment that has proven to outperform by 30%. Gayle was named "10 Women Changing the Landscape of Leadership" by the New York Times, March 2021. Plus named one of 500+ Linkedin Influencers, a list that includes Richard Branson, and Bill Gates. She hosts “VCs off the Record”, a podcast for entrepreneurs and investors. She has over 30+ years of wall street, mergers and acquisitions, technology, philanthropy experience, at firms such as JPMorgan and Sun Microsystems. Graduate of the University of Michigan and Wharton School of Business, plus studied at the National University of Singapore, City of London Polytechnic, and 500VC Unlocked/Stanford University. President of The Nantucket Project Academy, board member of New York City Department of Small Business Services - Women.NYC and BE NYC (Black Entrepreneurs). Additionally a Nazarian Social Innovator-in-Residence at Wharton Social Impact Initiative and a Tribeca Disruptor Fellow. She resides in New York City, where she bikes, sails, plays golf and supports the arts and emerging artists along with her husband David O’Byrne, a producer of films and a current Broadway show, Thoughts of a Colored Man.
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Asia Center
Extends the reach and impact of the Milken Institute to the Asia-Pacific region
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Center for Financial Markets
Conducts research and constructs programs designed to facilitate smooth and efficient operation of financial markets
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Center for the Future of Aging
Advances healthy longevity and financial security for all through high-impact policies, research, convenings, and multisector partnerships.
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Center for Public Health
Develops research, programs, and initiatives designed to envision and activate sustainable solutions leading to better health for individuals and communities worldwide.
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Center for Regional Economics and California Center
Analyzes the dynamics that drive job creation and promote industry expansion
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Center for Strategic Philanthropy
Empowers philanthropists to effectively address some of the world's most urgent problems
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FasterCures
Clears roadblocks that prevent medical breakthroughs from reaching patients sooner
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Financial Innovations Labs
Addressing society's greatest challenges through a financial lens
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Global Market Development
Working with government partners in emerging and developing economies to build strong, domestic financial markets.
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Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream
Anyone with a dream should have the opportunity to make it come true—through determination and an economic system that works for all
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Research Department
Addressing global policy issues on Health Economics, International Finance, and Regional Economics
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