Leslie Feinzaig

Leslie Feinzaig is a prominent Costa Rican-American venture capitalist and technologist, known for her role as the founder and General Partner at Graham & Walker, an early-stage venture fund focused on investing in women-founded tech companies. She has been instrumental in building a community for female entrepreneurs and has a strong background in technology and business.

Early Life and Education

Born around 1979 in San José, Costa Rica, Feinzaig's family history includes her Jewish grandparents who fled Poland during the Holocaust. She completed her undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics, earning a BSc in Industrial Relations from 1999 to 2001, and later obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School on a full scholarship between 2005 and 2007.12

Career

Feinzaig's career began at Microsoft, where she worked during the Great Recession on an H-1B visa. After gaining her green card in 2013, she transitioned to roles at Big Fish Games and Julep Beauty. In 2016, she founded Venture Kits, a company focused on educational toys for aspiring entrepreneurs.23

In February 2017, she established the Seattle Female Founders Alliance, which has grown into a significant network supporting women entrepreneurs. This initiative led to the creation of Graham & Walker in October 2021, which aims to reshape the venture capital landscape by focusing on underrepresented founders.34

Contributions and Recognition

Feinzaig has been recognized for her contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, being named one of Forbes' Most Powerful Women in Central America and receiving accolades such as the Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 award and the Geeks Give Back Award from GeekWire.125 She is also a contributor to publications like Fast Company and Fortune, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and venture capital.14

In addition to her work with Graham & Walker, Feinzaig serves on several boards, including the Girl Scouts of Western Washington and the Washington Technology Industry Association, and is involved with the Harvard Business School Equity and Entrepreneurship Initiative.123

Feinzaig resides in Seattle with her husband and two children, balancing her professional commitments with her family life.25