Mentors

Kwamara Thompson

Mentor

Sector:
Education
|
Location:
Miami
Background

Kwamara is an accomplished entrepreneur, educator, speaker, consultant, and activist. She is an angel and seed investor, having helped to invest millions of dollars in small businesses across the country. She is recognized as an industry leader, featured in multiple articles including Digital Diaspora News, CBS, NBC, Yahoo News, Business Insider, Boston Herald, MarketWatch, and more. She has spoken 3x at eMerge Americas, at the Hard Rock Stadium, at the UK Parliament House of Lords, and at numerous conferences across the country, and has been featured on multiple podcasts.

Independent Director & Board Advisory Experience

  • Founder, TEC, LLC
  • Founder, Black Women Matter
  • Founder, Let's Break Bread
  • Co-Founder, JT Workspace
  • Co-Founder, BITE-CON week
  • Chief Strategic Officer, the BITE-CON Foundation
  • National Director of Communities, Citiznz
  • Chair, the Barat Foundation
  • Vice Chair, Miami Dade County Public Schools NAF, STEM, and CTE Advisory Board
  • Chair, Student and Staff Development Subcommittee
  • Partnership Committee Lead, Black Professional Network Miami
  • Community and Partnership Lead, Ladies Executive Golf Society Miami
  • Lead, Miami Tennis Club
  • Advisory Board Member, Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business, PACE University Lubin School of Business
  • iHeart Media Advisory Board Member, Black Information Network
  • Community Lead, Tech Tuesday Miami
  • Educator Leaders of Color
  • Miami Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Youth Action Committee
  • Afterschool Alliance Ambassador Alum
  • NYU Senior Fellow Alum

Skills:

Industry experience:

  • Education
  • EdTech
  • Nonprofit
  • Tech
  • Small Business
  • Start Up
  • Philanthropy

Skills:

  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Community activation/ambassador program
  • Board of Advisors/Board of Directors
  • Organization, systems, and culture
  • Profitability and Earned Revenue
  • Fundraising
  • Professional/Employee Development
  • Business Development

Credentials:

  • Bachelors, New York University
  • Masters in Education, Concordia University
  • Executive Leadership, Cornell University
  • Senior Leadership, New York University

Our Trustpilot reviews...

I'm delighted to have joined Connectd, a platform that brings together start-ups, investors and advisors/NEDs – the latter being my interest. Having left full-time employment, I became a founding Non-Executive Director of a Community Interest Company and a Trustee of a local charity. I had also been looking for additional Non-Executive roles when I was introduced to Connectd. I was impressed by the sophisticated nature of the ecosystem, which enables searches for roles through detailed filters, as well as providing training through the NED Academy, help with CV writing, mentoring, template documents and other resources. Connectd also guarantees a placement with a business.

An additional feature of the platform is the Connectd Investor Community, where investors can interact, conduct due diligence, share deal-flow and learn together. The functionality allows like-minded investors to connect, with separate groups for each; to share deal flow (not just with companies on the platform) and to co-invest; to access partnerships such as Crunchbase membership and Vauban discount codes; and to create public or private groups.

I'm now working with a start-up that I was introduced to through Connectd, initially pro bono. There's a lot going on and a lot to do - we're raising funds and there's an exciting future in prospect!

Steve Hutchings

,

Transition to Portfolio Advisor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

I'm delighted to have joined Connectd, a platform that brings together start-ups, investors and advisors/NEDs – the latter being my interest. Having left full-time employment, I became a founding Non-Executive Director of a Community Interest Company and a Trustee of a local charity. I had also been looking for additional Non-Executive roles when I was introduced to Connectd. I was impressed by the sophisticated nature of the ecosystem, which enables searches for roles through detailed filters, as well as providing training through the NED Academy, help with CV writing, mentoring, template documents and other resources. Connectd also guarantees a placement with a business.

An additional feature of the platform is the Connectd Investor Community, where investors can interact, conduct due diligence, share deal-flow and learn together. The functionality allows like-minded investors to connect, with separate groups for each; to share deal flow (not just with companies on the platform) and to co-invest; to access partnerships such as Crunchbase membership and Vauban discount codes; and to create public or private groups.

I'm now working with a start-up that I was introduced to through Connectd, initially pro bono. There's a lot going on and a lot to do - we're raising funds and there's an exciting future in prospect!

Steve Hutchings

,

Transition to Portfolio Advisor

Amazing experience and a perfect 'one stop shop' for those wanting to move towards a portfolio career and get everything they need to do that!

Christopher

,

Transition to Portfolio Advisor

I highly recommend Connectd. I joined the Transition to Portfolio programme in 2023 and have enjoyed the content, lessons, and networking. In kicking off my portfolio and NED career I am already working with three startups via the Connectd platform.

James Scott

,

Transition to Portfolio Advisor

I joined The Connectd Platform to continue to develop my portfolio career and so far to date its has delivered on that exact promise very quickly. I have already secured a board advisory role. The learning Resoruces are superb and very relatable, whilst offering secure and engaging online content.

I would actively encourage anyone looking to grow and develop their portfolio career to dive into The Connectd Platform.

Shaun Glanville

,

Transition to Portfolio Advisor

I joined the Connectd platform back in October last year. I have completed a comprehensive Non Exec CPD course and have attended some brilliant seminars, webinars and networking events too. The easy to use platform and the personal touch of the Connectd team are the winning combination here. The support from everyone is first class. As I head into the new year looking for my first board or advisory role I can’t wait to get matched up with my first investor/start up!

Dawn Spencer

,

Transition to Portfolio Advisor