Qiana Patterson

Qiana (キアナ) is an experienced operator specializing in SaaS, mobility, edtech, and emerging tech innovation. She was the founding COO for Edlio, an LA-based K12 edtech company. Before that, Qiana served as the Interim CEO and Vice President of Operations for Educational Networks, a leading content management software SaaS company. She was the VP of Strategic Development for HopSkipDrive, a modern transportation marketplace tech company.

She finds time to remain an active member of the startup community through mentoring with organizations like Black Ambition, TechstarsLA, PluginSouthLA, Founders Boost, and is an active angel investor. She's currently the Chairperson of PledgeLA, and a Cap Table Coalition, investment committee member.

She earned her bachelor of arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Washington, a multiple-subject teaching credential from the University of California Los Angeles, and an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business. Most recently, Qiana was amongst the inaugural cohort for Black Venture Institute, a highly curated program designed for Black operators and executives. The program is supported and developed by BLCK VC, Salesforce Ventures, Operator Collective at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.