Joanna Rees
Founder and Managing Partner, VSP Capital
Joanna Rees founded VSP Capital in late 1996. Joanna brings significant experience in operations, finance and marketing. In addition to her eight years in finance and investment banking, Joanna has also held several senior management positions with Groupe Danone, General Foods, Digital Equipment Corp., Texaco, Brown Forman and RJR Nabisco. She currently serves on the boards of directors of IVAST, QuinStreet, Sabrix, Quovera and Candera.
The World Economic Forum selected Joanna as a Year 2000 Global Leader for Tomorrow for individuals who hold positions "of considerable power, influence and responsibility," and are "global in terms of their accomplishments and potential." The National Association of Women Business Owners named her "The 2000 Entrepreneur of the Year Rising Star." Most recently, the Aspen Institute selected Joanna for its 2002 Class of Henry Crown Fellows, a program designed to develop the next generation of community-spirited business leaders. She is very active in the San Francisco nonprofit community, having served in several leadership roles for the Junior League and the March of Dimes. Joanna earned her MBA from Columbia University and a BS from Duke University where she was a member of the varsity gymnastics team.