Jake Bright

Jake Bright has a long and varied work experience. Jake is currently the Director of Communications and Investor Relations at ECM - PCB Stator Technology, and a Venture Partner at Fast Forward Venture Studio. Jake was previously the President of JRB Ventures from 2011 to 2017, a Contributing Writer/Advisor on Africa for TechCrunch from 2017 to 2019, the Innovation Lead & Co-Producer of MIT's Open-Mic Africa Seminar at the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship from 2019 to 2022, and the Author of the award-winning book The Next Africa: An Emerging Continent Becomes a Global Powerhouse from 2014 to 2017. Jake was also a Contributing Editor & Financial Consultant for BLOOMBERG LP from 2012 to 2014, a Whitehead Fellow for the Foreign Policy Association from 2012 to 2014, a VP for The Bank of New York/BNY Mellon from 2001 to 2012, and a Confidential Aide & Speechwriter to The Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for the Executive Office of the President from 2000 to 2001.

Jake Bright completed a Master of International Affairs from Columbia | SIPA, with a field of study in International Economics and a semester at Columbia Business School. Jake also earned a BA (with honors) from Michigan State University, majoring in International Relations and minoring in Political Science, and earning a certificate in African Studies. Jake also studied at Vesalius College, focusing on French, Economics, and Diplomacy.