Brianna McDonald has been an active leader and angel investor with Keiretsu Forum since its launch in Seattle in 2005 and supporting its growth to become the largest and most active group globally.  She has proven specifically adept at screening companies for angel investment, coaching companies on presentation and investor relations, sales strategy execution, relationship management, and leading due diligence teams. Brianna has established a reputation for achievement in all phases of the Keiretsu process: risk management, market anticipation and response, regional/national business development, organizational development, angel investing, and overall enterprise management.
 
She brings an impressive record of leadership in both the private and public arenas.  She has proven herself the consummate professional through her ability to build and develop diverse, productive and loyal teams through consensus building and mutual respect.  She has shared this focus on team building with members and clients so that whatever their role is in Keiretsu they feel valued and important. 
 
Brianna believes that business leaders should also be community leaders.  As such she sits on a variety of public and nonprofit boards, is a dedicated charity fundraiser, and a mentor to business and entrepreneurial educational programs including the University of Washington and Seattle University.  Brianna and her husband live in Seattle, Washington and with their three young children.
 

Nathan McDonald is a Managing Partner and CEO of Keiretsu Capital and currently manages over $24M in across four funds with over 200 investors and 165 investments to date.  Keiretsu Forum is a worldwide investment community of capital, resources and deal flow with over 50 chapters on 3 continents comprised of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors. Keiretsu Forum members invest in high-quality, diverse investment opportunities. Keiretsu Forum and Keiretsu Capital (the exclusive worldwide fund partner of Keiretsu Forum) are ranked as the most active venture investors in the USA according to PitchBook.

Nathan brings a unique entrepreneurial business and organizational development background developed during seventeen years of hands-on, active leadership and operational experience. Nathan co-founded and currently oversees as Chairman the Northwest Region of the Keiretsu Forum global angel investment group. He wrote the business plan and designed the organizational structure, which led to the initial license agreement with global Keiretsu Forum. He recruited the team, implemented policies and procedures, and designed and coordinated hundreds of multifaceted events. As part of his overall regional growth strategy, he created and implemented controlled expansion activities in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Boise ID, Portland OR and Vancouver, B.C. Nathan's leadership and personal networking skills combined to quickly build the region into the fastest-growing angel investment group in the nation, adding over 800 investor members and facilitating over $400 million in funding for more than 500 companies. Nathan received a BA degree from the University of Washington, Foster Business School in Business Administration & Finance with an emphasis in entrepreneurial leadership and venture finance and currently serves as President of the Buerk Center Entrepreneur Alumni Committee.

Follow Nathan online on Twitter @NateMcDonald or connect on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanmcdonald1/

Angel Investor | 5X Founder | Strategic Growth Advisor

As a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, I bring a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic growth, and financial acumen to the angel investment space. With a track record of founding, scaling, and exiting multiple ventures, I specialize in identifying high-potential opportunities and fostering partnerships that drive long-term value.

I’ve built and sold companies across diverse industries, including Kinderland—a childcare facility serving 300 families, which I scaled and exited for $1.2 million—and SES Energy, an electrical company focused on energy efficiency. Currently, I lead Beanstalk Partners, where I help B2B companies unlock growth through strategic alliances.

My expertise lies in capital management, investment strategies, and connecting the right opportunities with the right people at the right time. I thrive on recognizing market trends and aligning investment strategies with business objectives to maximize returns.

Beyond business, I’m passionate about building communities and fostering meaningful relationships. Whether through angel investing, mentoring entrepreneurs, or cultivating strategic partnerships, I believe in the power of collaboration to fuel innovation.

When I’m not analyzing deals or helping businesses scale, you’ll find me embracing adventure—whether dancing, kayaking, hiking, traveling, or enjoying live theatre.

Being curious by nature I have always been intrigued by the science and art of marketing and sales. With over 8 years of experience in digital marketing and sales, I am still learning the art of content marketing and the science behind what drives people to buy. My curiosity has made me dabble with multiple domains such as content marketing, performance marketing, email marketing, key account management, business development, and sales.

Over the last few years being observant, which again is a byproduct of my curiosity, has helped drive the analytical side of me towards product marketing and drive performance marketing. In the past in my agency life, I've managed multiple accounts from real estate, beauty, lifestyle, restaurants & tourism. While I have also worked on tech product brands to define brand communication and grow the user base by 5x. 

Lenin is a valuable member of our team handling Operations/Events for Keiretsu forum NW and an Executive Assistant for Nathan McDonald.

Lenin holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and has continuously pursued professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of industry trends and best practices. His unwavering commitment to excellence, combined with his strategic vision and operational expertise, has made him a trusted leader in operations management.

In his role as Director of Operations, Lenin is dedicated to driving continuous improvement, optimizing operational efficiency, and achieving outstanding results for the organization. With his strong leadership skills and keen business acumen, he is poised to make a significant impact and contribute to the long-term success of any organization he serves.

For the past fourteen (14) years I have garnered high-level experience working directly with many of the worlds leading entrepreneurs, chief executives, family-business operators and global strategic partners to host internationally acclaimed programs for Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO).

Stephanie Haaf
Director of Investor Relations & Membership
Keiretsu Forum Northwest and Rockies

With over 16 years of experience in membership development, sponsorship management, program operations, and investor relations, Stephanie serves as the Director of Investor Relations & Membership for Keiretsu Forum Northwest and Rockies — the leading chapter of the world’s largest angel investor network.

In this role, Stephanie oversees strategic membership growth, investor engagement, and partnership cultivation across the region. They are instrumental in running trainee and onboarding programs for new investors, fostering a collaborative community, and driving capital formation for innovative early-stage companies.

Known for building lasting relationships and managing complex stakeholder networks, Stephanie brings a deep understanding of angel investing ecosystems and a commitment to strengthening the ties between entrepreneurs and investors.

Simran is the Entrepreneur and Due Diligence Director at Keiretsu Forum Northwest and Rockies, where she has overseen more than 130 startup due diligence processes, supporting investor decision-making and high-quality investment opportunities. With more than three years of progressive leadership at Keiretsu Forum, Simran has developed deep expertise in managing robust startup deal flow, supporting effective funding strategies, and streamlining due diligence processes.
Before joining Keiretsu Forum, she served as Client Relationship Manager and Project Manager, supervising and supporting social-development marketing projects with major international organizations, including the United Nations, UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, and TATA Trusts. Earlier, at the beginning of her career, she worked with Smart Group in India, spearheading head office operations and coordinating large-scale in-house events, while strengthening her abilities in vendor, employee and event management.
She holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from GJU Delhi, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Delhi University, where she actively participated in the English Literature Society and served as Joint Secretary of the Film and Photography Society. Additionally, she has diploma certifications in Public Relations and Event Management.
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Kahaan holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (Finance) and he is proficient in Bloomberg Terminal, Microsoft Office and Investment Research.

Kahaan is currently working as a Senior Associate at Keiretsu Forum, where he plays a pivotal role in screening private companies, identifying investment prospects, and facilitating seamless capital-raising processes. He has extensive experience in deal flow, due diligence and investor relations.

Kahaan’s journey in finance began with working in the investment banking industry, where he gained extensive experience by working with hedge funds, conducting market research, and managing client portfolios.

Beyond work, Kahaan is passionate about listening to music, watching movies, traveling, extremely enthusiastic about sports, and continuously expanding his knowledge through reading.

Simran is a dynamic Talent Acquisition and HR Partner known for her ability to build high-performing teams that fuel business growth. With expertise spanning the full hiring lifecycle—strategy, sourcing, interviewing, and negotiation—Simran has a proven track record of optimizing hiring processes to be both scalable and engaging.

Her experience extends across Technology, Product, Marketing, Finance, Sales and HR roles, allowing her to adapt and deliver tailored recruitment solutions for diverse teams. Her global reach includes successful talent acquisition in India, the US, and Southeast Asia, where she has demonstrated a keen understanding of market dynamics and cultural nuances.

In addition to her talent acquisition expertise, Simran plays an active role in broader HR initiatives, enhancing organisational culture and driving people-centric strategies. She is passionate about creating exceptional candidate experiences. Simran believes that HR and talent are more than just filling roles—it’s about finding the right people to bring a company’s vision to life. With a strong commitment to diversity and innovation, she combines technology with a personal touch to ensure that companies find the best fit for their needs.

Connect with Simran on LinkedIn to explore how she can help you navigate the evolving world of talent acquisition and HR.

Vinita Khomne is a multifaceted professional with a Master’s in Economics and a diverse academic background in Economics & Statistics, Commerce, and Cyber Law. With a proven track record in roles of increasing responsibility, she excels in data interpretation, fostering strong connections, and managing high-visibility projects.

As Senior Associate - Due Diligence & Deal Flow at Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies, She plays a critical role in evaluating investment opportunities, managing due diligence processes, and facilitating informed decision-making for investors. She collaborates with entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors to conduct in-depth market analysis, risk assessment, and financial evaluations. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, she ensures thorough and objective assessments that drive successful investments and long-term growth.

Ajay Mihani is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Keiretsu Capital, Portfolio Manager at NWAngel Fund, and Due Diligence Associate at Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies. With experience managing $30M AUM in US-based VC and Angel Funds, he thrives in collaborative learning environments and is deeply passionate about startups and the Deal Flow lifecycle.
His background includes an MBA in Lean Operation & Systems and a degree in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. An independent thinker, Ajay has a strong working knowledge of the service e-commerce industry (Travel & Recreational), Mobility Telecom sector, and Angel investor community. He has successfully worked with cross-functional teams, MNCs, and startups, emphasizing operational efficiency, vendor management, and ethical decision-making.
Ajay’s expertise spans Portfolio Management, Due Diligence, Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain Management, Vendor Management, Client Project Operations, Logistics, and Data Analysis. He is proficient in Dealum, Tableau, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Shopify, VMS Tools, and other analytic platforms.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to Project Management, Data Analysis, Product Development, Vendor Management, and Client Operations in roles at GSMA, Xoxoday, and Mphasis Limited

With a background in journalism and a passion for storytelling, Aman Kumar Gupta brings a unique perspective to visual design. As a Senior Visualizer, he seamlessly blends creativity with strategy to craft compelling narratives through graphics, motion design, and video editing. His keen eye for detail and deep understanding of visual communication help transform ideas into impactful designs that engage and inspire.
Beyond the world of pixels and motion, Aman has a knack for finding humor in everyday life, which he channels into standup comedy. His ability to observe, create, and entertain makes him a storyteller both on and off the screen.

Tonymon Joseph is a dynamic professional with over three years of experience in the startup ecosystem. Passionate about finance and investing, he brings expertise in valuation methods across various financial instruments. With a strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and a self-driven approach, Tonymon excels in data analysis and problem-solving. His growth-oriented mindset and adaptability enable him to tackle challenges with confidence and precision.

Jenny brings a diverse international perspective to our team, having worked in two different countries and graduated from London, United Kingdom. She excels in deal scouting, preparing detailed reports and updates on business development activities, and collaborating with KSN members and affinity partners. With exceptional communication and research skills, she leverages her expertise in business development to drive success and foster valuable relationships.

With a keen eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of marketing dynamics, Raunak thrives in the world of content and strategy. His curiosity about how and why marketing works fuels his creativity, driving him to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Raunak specializes in content writing, but his expertise extends beyond the written word. He believes ideation, strategic planning, and data-driven insights are just as crucial in shaping impactful marketing campaigns. Over the past five years, he has honed his skills in blog writing, social media content, newsletters, and whitepapers, delivering high-value content across diverse industries.
His experience spans varied sectors (finance, technology, and recruitment), giving him a holistic perspective on marketing and its role in driving engagement and conversions. By blending creativity with analytics, Raunak ensures that every piece of content informs and inspires action, making a measurable impact in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.