Yesenia Gallardo Avila

Yesenia Gallardo Avila serves as Principal at Potencia Ventures since 2019, overseeing a fund that supports emerging managers and early-stage companies focused on edtech and future-of-work for low-income communities. In addition to this role, Yesenia is a founding board member at Latino Founders, a 501(c)3 dedicated to Latinx entrepreneurs, and a board member of the Oregon Growth Board, which invests state lottery profits to foster economic growth and support underrepresented communities in Oregon. Yesenia is also involved as a board member or observer for multiple organizations, including PAIRIN, Arbusta, and Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs Marketplace, and serves as an advisor to Tether Education. As co-founder of Papalotzin, Yesenia aids artisanal mezcal producers in Mexico to access the US market. Yesenia mentors student-led startups through the PSU Center for Entrepreneurship, aiming to empower underrepresented founders. Previous experience includes founding Poda Foods Inc., one of the first edible-insect startups in the US. Educational credentials include a Master's degree from Yale University and a Bachelor's degree from Willamette University.