We are a social
impact company
ESO is committed to uplifting not only entrepreneurs with a fully-developed idea, but also people who are willing to grow, create, and become change agents in their community.
Based in East Oakland, we’re addressing economic, racial, and gender gaps through the work and success of the next thousands of ESO Entrepreneurs because we know entrepreneurship is the way.
Founders & Partners
Alfredo Mathew III
Co-Founder and Partner
he/him
Alfredo Mathew III is an experienced urban educator, non-profit leader, and business owner. He brings... Read more.
Ben Wanzo
Co-Founder and Partner
he/him
An Oakland, CA native, Benjamin Wanzo is a founding partner at ESO Ventures. He earned... Read more.
Martha Hernandez
Co-Founder and Partner
she/her
An East Oakland native, Martha Hernández is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder/and partner at... Read more.
Team
Akintunde Ahmad
Communications and Marketing Manager
he/him
Born and raised in East Oakland, CA, Akintunde Ahmad is an entrepreneur who centers equity... Read more.
Ashley Moreland - Mizzi
Senior Director, Capital in the Community Fund
she/her
Detroit born and bred, Ashley is ESO’s Senior Director of the Capital in the Community Fund. She... Read more.
Dax Moreno
Director of Strategic Partnerships
he/him
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Dax is ESO’s Director of Strategic Partnerships. He has held... Read more.
Esther Santamaria
Operations and Engagement Specialist
she/her
Esther Santamaria is an multi-faceted entrepreneur with a diverse background in film production... Read more.
Advisory Board
Sabrina Mutukisna
Senior Director of Programs
she/her
For the last 15 years, Sabrina has worked at the intersection of community development, social... Read more.
Sascha Brown
Entrepreneur Success Manager, Capital in the Community Fund
they/them
Originally from Long Beach, CA and deeply rooted in Oakland/the Bay Area for nearly two decades... Read more.
Zakiya Mackey
Senior Program Manager
she/her
A third generation West Oakland, CA resident, Zakiya is a passionate, versatile community... Read more.
Collaborators
Alberto Torrico
Alberto Torrico joins ESO from the realm of California state government. After nearly ten years in elected office... Read more.
Jan Owen
Jan Lynn Owen joins the ESO advisory board as a National Advisor - Emeritus for the Law firm of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips... Read more.
Steve Carnevale
Mr. Carnevale joins the ESO advisory board as the Founder and co Chairman of the UCSF Dyslexia Center... Read more.
Thurman White
Thurman White joins the ESO board after retiring in 2020 as Chief Executive of Progress Investment Management... Read more.
