Meet the Mentors Leading Small Group Discussions at SBW2025

One of the best parts of Startup Boston Week? Getting real talk, real feedback, and real advice from folks who’ve actually been in your shoes.

Not registered for Startup Boston Week yet? Don’t sleep on it! Grab your free ticket for SBW2025 September 8 - 12 right here. 

On Friday, September 12th, we’re packing the day at Suffolk University with mentor-led small group sessions designed to spark connections and unlock practical insights. Think of it as your chance to sit down with seasoned founders, operators and investors who have navigated the ups, downs, pivots and wins of startup life - and want to help you do the same. All while building peer-to-peer connections with other founders and startup operators in the startup community. 

Here’s what’s on deck:

9:30am – 11:00am Sessions

Building Your Sales Process w/ Chris Whalen (Fractional Sales Leader, Coeus Sales Solutions)

Chris has helped companies go from scrappy, founder-led sales to repeatable revenue engines, leading teams through three exits at 10x valuations along the way. Now at Coeus Sales Solutions, he helps startups develop go-to-market strategies and high-performing sales orgs. If you’re wrestling with “what’s next” in sales, this is your room.

Creating Traction w/ Katie Cella (Venture Partner, Koru Capital)

Katie has sat in every growth seat imaginable - startup CRO, venture partner, angel investor and mentor at Techstars, MassChallenge, and VMT. She’s helped companies unlock new markets, reshape industries, and land capital. She’ll dig into how to create traction that sticks.

Founder Leadership w/ Julie Meyer (Founder + Principal, Connection151)

Julie scaled Eat Well Global into an international B-Corp consultancy, then co-founded AugMentors to focus on leadership through mentorship. She specializes in building B2B consulting firms and guiding leaders toward connection-driven, sustainable growth.

Navigating Startup Change Without Burning Out w/ Rach SebellShavit (Change Resilience Coach, HELM365) 

Rach brings 20+ years of experience helping teams move through complexity with resilience. Certified in tools like LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (yes, really), she creates interactive sessions where founders can process change, manage resistance, and keep their sanity intact.

12:00pm – 1:30pm Sessions

Developing Your Customer Journey w/ Mike Lemire (Executive Coach, Harmonic Leadership)

Mike (ex-Toast, HubSpot, Yahoo) now runs Harmonic Leadership, where he helps founders and execs strengthen their customer journey and leadership skills. Expect actionable, people-first strategies to keep customers engaged while scaling.

Raising Your Pre-Seed and Seed Round w/ Yu-Jen Chang (Associate, Taiwan Global Angels)

With VC experience across IoT and MedTech at Wiskey Capital and Taiwan Global Angels, Yu-Jen has a sharp eye for early-stage fundraising. She’ll walk through what investors look for and how to position your startup to win.

From Founder to CEO: Growing Into Leadership w/ Rebecca Reynolds Moore (Founder, CEO, Investor, InANutshell Consulting)

Rebecca has raised $10M+, advised hundreds of women founders, and helped raise $5M in angel capital for female-led ventures. She’ll unpack how to step confidently into the CEO role while building and motivating your team.

Building a GTM Team w/ Anthony Franklin (Managing Principal, Spearhead Revenue Consulting)

Anthony has scaled SaaS companies, built sales orgs, and now runs Spearhead Capital Partners. His mentorship style is no-nonsense, data-informed and focused on creating clarity for founders trying to build repeatable growth engines.

2:30pm – 4:00pm Sessions

Preparing for Fundraising Due Diligence w/ Cecily O’Regan (Patent Attorney / Angel Investor, Fishman Stewart PLLC)

With 25 years in Silicon Valley building IP strategies and leading investor/company-side diligence, Cecily knows how to prepare for tough questions before they derail your raise.

How to Allocate Your Time as an Early-Stage Founder w/ Justin Real (Vice President of Partnerships, Bombellii Ventures)

Justin went from launching Realplay (AI-powered sports video, raised $5M) to leading partnerships at Bombellii Ventures. He’ll share how to manage your energy and focus when you’re doing all the things as a founder.

Product-Market Fit & Product Roadmap w/ Ajay Gallewale (Mentor)

Ajay has been part of five successful exits and led global engineering teams across Israel, India, and Ukraine. He’s also a stand-up comedian, so expect insights on PMF and roadmapping, delivered with humor.

Leveraging AI in Startups: Practical Applications & Ethics w/ Michel Moravia (Founder & CEO, Quality Means Business, Inc.)

Michel is building one of the first AI-powered regulatory intelligence platforms for MedTech. He’ll explore how startups can responsibly integrate AI while staying competitive and compliant in highly regulated industries.

How Small Group Mentoring Sessions at Startup Boston Week 2025 Works

These aren’t panels or lectures - they’re small-group discussions. You’ll get the chance to ask questions, trade stories, and leave with tangible takeaways (and maybe a few new founder friends).

Join us Friday, September 12th at Suffolk University for Mentor Sessions at #SBW2025. Grab your free ticket for Startup Boston Week right here!