LGBTQ+ Founder & Investors: Successes and Challenges Throughout the Years

We invite you to join a community of LGBTQ+ founders and investors from StartOut and Lowenstein Sandler LLP for a discussion on the successes and challenges across the years.

We will kick off the event at 5:30 pm with a fireside chat starting at 6 pm followed by networking until 8:30 pm.

Meet Our Panel

Moderator:

Latoya Bethune | Associate | Lowenstein Sandler

Panelists:

Zachary Bocian | Associate | Lowenstein Sandler

Daniel Auld | Co-Founder and President of Education & Research | Kekoa Foods

Additional panelist details to come.

– Associate | Lowenstein Sandler

Latoya Bethune represents entrepreneurs and emerging companies on startup formation, venture financing, and other corporate transactions.

She also has experience working with larger public companies in the financial services, technology, and life sciences sectors on mergers and acquisitions, debt financing, and corporate governance issues.

- Associate | Lowenstein Sandler

Zachary’s practice focuses on the tax aspects of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, fund formation, and private equity and venture capital investments. Zachary also assists in counseling clients on various individual, corporate, partnership, and international tax matters, as well as helping to settle disputes with the IRS.

Zachary is an active member of the Lowenstein LGBTQIA+ Alliance.

While pursuing his J.D., Zachary interned for The Honorable Vito L. Bianco, J.T.C. at the New Jersey Tax Court, and worked as a student attorney for the Rutgers Federal Tax Clinic. Prior to his legal career, Zachary worked in New York and Los Angeles, helping represent high-profile artists and assisting in the negotiation of complex deal points on contracts for film, television, and theatre projects.

- Co-Founder and President of Education & Research | Kekoa Foods

Dr. Danny Auld is co-founder of Kekoa Foods, where he spearheads key business operations with an unwavering commitment to excellence and community impact. In his role as President, Danny directs all sales and financial strategies, leading Kekoa Foods' fundraising initiatives, which encompass investor relations, grant acquisition, and debt financing.

Danny's passion for food transcends its nutritional value; he sees it as a catalyst for connection and cherished memories, central to holidays, family gatherings, and life’s special moments. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys cooking, exploring new cuisines, and spending time with his husband and co-founder, David, and their 11-year-old son, their Kekoa.

STARTOUT COVID-19 POLICY:

If you are feeling under the weather, please do not attend the event.

We encourage all attendees to be vaccinated or take a COVID test before attending to ensure they are negative.

If you are more comfortable wearing a mask at the event, we invite you to do so. If you chose not to wear a mask, we ask that you respect the decision of others to wear theirs.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lowenstein Sandler LLP, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor, New York, United States