Clarissa Avendano
Chief Financial Officer Gen. G Esports
Avendano currently serves as the CFO for Gen. G Esports, which has a global presence across key markets in Seoul, Shanghai and Los Angeles. Since she joined in 2020, the company has tripled in size, and she led the financial due diligence for the company's latest major round of fundraising. She carries over 20 years of experience across several industries, starting her career at Deloitte navigating corporate clientele (Northrop Grumman and Dole Food Company) through complex accounting transactions, steering the Sarbanes-Oxley international accounting and SEC reporting at Korn/Ferry International, and driving profitability across a variety of consumer product manufacturing corporations (Merle Norman Cosmetics/Topson Downs). Experienced in multiple industries, including esports, apparel/fashion/cosmetics, manufacturing and professional services, Avendano can deftly navigate concepts and business events at a high level while also understanding how to dig into detailed transactions. Able to manage a variety of vendor relationships, contract negotiations, banking and treasury functions, she specializes in analytical skills, training and process development, internal controls, systems implementation and integration and accounting. She has provided and executed critical financial and operational recommendations that have resulted in multi-million dollars of impact on the companies she has served.
Under Avendano's fiscal stewardship, Gen. G Esports has become a leading operator of an esports organization intended to create and guide esports teams into champions on the international stage. The company offers a wide range of professional services, such as premier esports coaching and training, lifestyle management and business acumen development to build a large roster of teams that can participate in multiple official esports competitions, enabling esports enthusiasts to develop and grow their career.
Avendano graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in business/economics and an accounting minor and holds an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management with an Advanced International Management Certification. She is also an active CPA in California. Avendano continues her involvement at UCLA Anderson, mentoring student teams through their master's theses and has been an alumni judge in evaluating M.B.A. business plans since 2013.
Private Company–Small: Finalists
Malindi Davies, the interim CFO of FinditParts, is known for her expertise in corporate strategy, operations and finance. With over 15 years of senior operating experience across public and private sectors, has a track record of fostering growth and revenue, having raised over $60 million in venture capital and spearheaded team expansions from 18 to 70-plus. Davies specializes in e-commerce, luxury fashion and consumer media, collaborating closely with CEOs and boards to shape business strategy and optimize infrastructures. Her expertise spans finance, luxury fashion, art, e-commerce and media, underpinned by graduate degrees in finance/accounting and organizational psychology. As the previous COO of Tamara Mellon Brand, Davies orchestrated a $50 million Series C raise; while as general manager of Saatchi Art, she drove 4096 top-line growth and 3096 EBITDA improvement.
Phil Oseas, chief accounting officer at GeoLinks, has over 30 years of financial expertise across various industries. Since joining GeoLinks, he has driven strategic initiatives, leading to significant milestones. 2023, he secured a minority ownership transaction with JLC Infrastructure, accelerating nationwide expansion. Oseas met OAF year-4 deployment goals and refinanced the company's line of credit, boosting revenue by 1196 to $40.9 million. He also spearheaded the adoption of ASC 842 Leasing. His efforts were crucial in securing an $84-million RDOF award from the FCC for network build-out, significantly enhancing GeoLinks' growth and market presence.
Jim Mancuso, currently serving as CFO and COO of Chosen Foods, has a career in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, specializing in mid-tier entrepreneurial organizations backed by PE and VC He has been instrumental in doubling business revenue and adjusted EBITDA. Mancuso implemented technologies, such as AP automation and cash flow Al manual tasks. Under his leadership, Chosen Foods acquired and integrated a competitive brand and successfully completed a dividend recapitalization. His prior roles include CFO of MyMochi, leading its rise in the frozen novelty market, and CFO of SmartyPants Vitamins, culminating in a sale to Unilever. Mancuso has also held significant positions at Beanfields Snacks, GT's Living Foods, KORRES North America, Revlon, TEMPTU and Weleda North America & AG.
Juyuan Wei, chief financial officer at Westwood Financial, joined the firm in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional financial acumen and strategic insight. Initially hired as finance director strategic planning and analysis, he transformed financial and operational reporting, leading to his promotion to vice president of finance within six months. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wei's leadership ensured the company outperformed its public peer REIT group and maintained investor dividends. Promoted to senior vice president of finance and accounting in 2020, he oversaw all financial functions, including debt strategy and board deliverables. As CFO since February 2023, Wei has developed a five-year debt strategy, earned significant interest income through strategic investments, managed complex reverse exchanges and ensured cash protection post-SVB collapse.
