Jose Esquer-Romero is a Relationship Manager at Silicon Valley Bank, where he works with some of the Bay Area's leading Enterprise Software companies by providing educational and banking resources for founders at various stages of the startup journey, ranging from Seed to pre-IPO. Prior to his current role, he spent time on SVB's Credit Solutions team focusing on underwriting and structuring venture debt facilities and got his start within the Associate Development Program. Jose completed his studies in the Bay at the University of San Francisco and is a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts being of Mexican descent and belonging to the LGBTQ+ community as well.

Tom is a serial tech entrepreneur and Co-Founder of super{set}, a venture studio that founds, funds, and builds technology companies. For the past 20+ years, Tom’s professional focus has centered on using data, decision science, and AI to solve hard, interesting problems. Prior to forming super{set}, Tom was the CEO and co-founder of Krux, acquired by Salesforce in 2016. Before Krux, Tom was the CEO and co-founder of Rapt, acquired by Microsoft in 2007. Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tom lives and works in San Francisco. He holds a B.A. in Computer Science and Philosophy from Harvard and Ph.D. in Engineering-Economic Systems and Operations Research from Stanford. He supports and serves on the boards of non-profits in the areas of education, immigration, and entrepreneurship.

Vanessa Karel is a second-time founder, serial entrepreneur, writer, public speaker, and visionary. She has dedicated her career to solving one of the biggest challenges women face worldwide: safe navigation and meaningful connections through her travel company, Greether. In 2025, Vanessa was named one of the Most Influential Women in Travel, as well as one of the 100 Latina Leaders in both 2024 and 2025 by Latino Leaders Magazine. She has also been recognized as one of the 100 Latinx Founders to Watch, won first place in CNET’s Promise of Tourism Awards, and, in 202,3 was voted Most Impactful Entrepreneur Creating Social Impact in Mexico by ASEM. Through Greether, Vanessa advances two key UN Sustainable Development Goals: reducing safety risks for women and increasing income opportunities for them. The platform has organically grown to serve travelers in over 100 countries and 1,000+ cities worldwide. “We connect female travelers with verified local women Greeters they can book wherever go,” she explains. “It’s like having a trusted local bestie wherever you land.”

Casilda Angulo is a Vice President at Forgepoint Capital, where she invests in emerging technologies spanning AI and GenAI security, SaaS security posture management, identity, financial fraud, and risk management. She has been central to shaping the firm’s AI security strategy, developing a full-stack thesis on the space, and supporting investments in Security for AI, AI for Security, and vertical AI applications. As Board Observer for Lynx, Nudge Security, and SPHERE, and through her work with AKA Identity and Constella, she partners closely with founders on growth and strategy. Beyond AI, she has advanced Forgepoint’s international expansion, building its partnership with Santander and supporting market entry into Europe and Latin America. Previously, she worked in TMT investment banking at UBS in London and Madrid, and at Seaya Ventures. Casilda holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and dual BS degrees in Finance and International Business from Northeastern University and Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE).

Sharon Marichalar is a Program Manager for Catalyst 2045, SVB’s company-wide initiative to expand access, business opportunities, and connections for emerging segment foudners and investors driving innovation.

Sharon’s journey with SVB began in 2018 when she joined as a corporate intern through the Year Up workforce development program. Since then, Sharon’s role has continued to expand, encompassing event management, talent development, program operations, and building partnerships with Latinx-serving organizations.

Currently, Sharon supports Catalyst 2045’s emerging segment strategies, with a focus on facilitating connections for early-stage founders to networks, information, and resources designed to increase their probability of success.

Sharon is a proud 2nd generation Mexican American with indigenous roots tracing back to the Mescalero Apache tribe of New Mexico, where her grandfather was born. In her free time, Sharon enjoys writing poetry and spending time with her family, especially her 91-year-old grandfather, who is her best friend.

A Bay Area native, Sharon now calls San Diego, CA home.

Tosh Ernest is the Head of SVB's Catalyst 2045 business development program, which accelerates access to the innovation economy for Emerging Segment innovators and investors. As the Head of Catalyst 2045 at Silicon Valley Bank, Tosh is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that underrepresented and overlooked founders have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.

With a distinguished career spanning financial services, Tosh has championed transformative initiatives at Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase & Co, founding the wealth division of the Advancing Black Pathways initiative, and working tirelessly to create pathways for economic inclusion. Her ability to navigate complex challenges—such as leading through organizational transitions and crises—exemplifies her resilience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

During her time with JPMorgan, Tosh led mission-critical initiatives, including launching a mutual fund company that scaled to $40 billion in AUM, and launching new products for emerging managers, venture capital and private equity funds. Earlier in her career, she held M&A advisor roles at consulting firms Navigant, Capco and Accenture.

In 2025 Tosh was honored as a cultural pioneer at the Culture Shifting Awards, and in 2021 was recognized as one of the most "Influential Black Women in Business" by The Network Journal.

Outside of the office, Tosh loves to spend time with her family, volunteer at church, travel to far-flung locations, run, bike and read.

Jesús Salas believes culturally conscious investments unlock opportunity and economic growth for overlooked founders and communities. He was an Associate at Omidyar Network, sourcing and evaluating mission-driven tech ventures, and has also worked as a consultant, impact investor, and banker across agriculture, education, and fintech globally.

He is active with the Toigo Foundation, VCFamilia, and serves on the Advisory Board of Columbia Business School’s Leo Impact Fund. A Kauffman Fellow (Class 29) and Just Economy Institute Fellow (Cohort 4), Jesús is from Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Mexican immigrants, and a first-generation graduate of Stanford (BA) and Columbia (MBA).