Tess Michaels

Tess Michaels is a highly accomplished individual with a passion for making connections between ideas, people, and purposes, all while aiming to challenge the status quo in various fields.

She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Finance and General studies from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Global Impact Investing and Operations Management from The Wharton School, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.

With an impressive professional background, Tess has held key roles in several renowned organizations, including being the Founder & CEO of Stride Funding, a Private Equity Associate at Vista Equity Partners, an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs, and an Investment Banking Summer Analyst at BofA Merrill Lynch.

Tess also contributed significantly to the academic community as the Former VP of Corporate Relations at The Wharton School's Private Equity & Venture Capital Club, the Founding CEO and Board Member at SOCEANA - Generating Social Good, the Executive VP of the Wharton Undergraduate Finance Club, and the President of the Penn Undergraduate Biotech Society at the University of Pennsylvania.

Furthermore, she has a diverse range of experiences, having served as a Research Intern at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Vice President of External Affairs for the Class of 2015 at the University of Pennsylvania, a Climate Change Researcher at the FBK Foundation in Italy, a Student Representative at the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, and a US Delegate at the International Science & Engineering Camp.

Tess Michaels is driven by a desire to enhance access to education, improve economic mobility, and bring about real change in workforce development. Her journey is marked by valuable experiences and notable achievements, showcasing her commitment to innovation and progress.