Our Team and Advisors
Jason McNichol, PhD, Co-founder and Managing Director An interdisciplinary social scientist and entrepreneur, Jason has collaborated with more than 75 start-ups, larger firms, nonprofits, philanthropies, and public agencies to help them strategize and succeed – in healthcare, technology, sustainability, and public policy. From 2007 to 2014, Jason founded and served as the president of Health Advocacy Solutions, a social venture that promoted innovations to improve consumer health nationwide. Prior, Jason worked as a program officer for new initiatives at the Social Science Research Council, where he directed national projects in civic engagement, healthcare, and other areas. Jason's early consulting work brought together stakeholders to analyze public and environmental policy issues for think tanks and firms. He co-founded ELM in 1999.
Jason received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, and Master's and PhD degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. He has taught at the University of Freiburg (Germany), the University of Portland, and other campuses. Over the course of his career, Jason has authored articles and chapters on a variety of public issues, and received support from the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and other philanthropies. He has served on several boards and national advisory committees concerned with healthcare advocacy and reform.
Jason received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, and Master's and PhD degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. He has taught at the University of Freiburg (Germany), the University of Portland, and other campuses. Over the course of his career, Jason has authored articles and chapters on a variety of public issues, and received support from the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and other philanthropies. He has served on several boards and national advisory committees concerned with healthcare advocacy and reform.
Peter Rachor, Senior Consultant Peter Rachor is a senior consultant and technology executive with extensive experience leading management, business development, marketing, fundraising, operations, technology transfer and licensing efforts for a variety of clients. He has worked in both start-up ventures and larger firms in the telecommunications, web, software, and biomedical industries. Peter also brings substantial international experience to the ELM team, including strong familiarity with European, Asian and Latin American market environments. At ELM, Peter recently led the City of Portland's Interise Streetwise Steps program for selected local entrepreneurs.
Peter currently serves as the director of Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Portland. At the University of Portland, Peter helps guide the development of the Entrepreneur Scholars program – the only program in US to be awarded the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship National Specialty Model Program award twice. He is active in various business advisory groups in the Pacific Northwest, and currently serves as a review panel member for the National Science Foundation's i-Corps program. Prior to moving to Portland in 2008, Peter served as the director of venture development at the University of New Mexico.
Peter currently serves as the director of Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Portland. At the University of Portland, Peter helps guide the development of the Entrepreneur Scholars program – the only program in US to be awarded the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship National Specialty Model Program award twice. He is active in various business advisory groups in the Pacific Northwest, and currently serves as a review panel member for the National Science Foundation's i-Corps program. Prior to moving to Portland in 2008, Peter served as the director of venture development at the University of New Mexico.
Jabril Bensedrine, PhD, Advisor Formerly a principal at ELM, Jabril is Managing Director and founder of The Triana Group, a cross-Atlantic technology venture development company based in New York City. Before founding Triana, Jabril designed and secured funding for projects for Kenneth J. Dalto & Associates, a financial consulting firm. He has held training and management positions at higher education institutions in France and the United States, including a tenured position at the University Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée. At Marne-la-Vallée, Jabril helped develop a new high-tech business incubator.
Jabril holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Paris-Dauphine, and a PhD in Business Administration from the ESSEC Graduate School of Business. Jabril completed his post-doctoral training at the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley.
Jabril holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Paris-Dauphine, and a PhD in Business Administration from the ESSEC Graduate School of Business. Jabril completed his post-doctoral training at the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley.
Maitri Goonewardena, CFA, Advisor Maitri is a veteran financial advisor and analyst who specializes in helping firms plan optimal investment and financing strategies consistent with their values and preferences. A Chartered Financial Analyst and trained public accountant, Maitri currently serves as President of MKG Capital Management, an investment consultancy he founded in 1999. His prior work includes financial analysis and audit at 3M Corporation and Director of Asset Management for Whalen and Company. Between 2000 and 2009, Maitri also managed the Midwestern Capital Fund, a private limited partnership
Maitri received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master's in Management from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was a Sloan Fellow. In his spare time, Maitri volunteers as a financial advisor to nonprofits and consults on development finance for new ventures.
Maitri received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master's in Management from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was a Sloan Fellow. In his spare time, Maitri volunteers as a financial advisor to nonprofits and consults on development finance for new ventures.