[Register Now] Before the Sale: What Founders Wish They Knew—and Would Do Differently 

Moderator: Vera Anderson, TIGER 21 Tampa Bay and Global Chair 

Vera Anderson is Chair of Tampa Bay 03 and Global 10, as well as the founder of Global Elements Consulting, a Legacy Mindset Coaching organization for international business leaders who are exiting their business through sale or succession. At the age of 26, Vera joined a boutique private equity firm and completed over $300M in acquisitions in the US and abroad. She served on the boards of international companies, launched and raised capital for several startups, and served as Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Tampa. Vera graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in International Finance and French and has lived and worked in Moscow, Indonesia, Paris, and London. 

Reneé Erlich, TIGER 21 Detroit Chair 

Reneé Erlich is the Chair of Detroit 04. As the founder of Prosperi Leadership Coaching, established in 2011, Reneé has partnered with successful and ambitious leaders, offering them a space to explore personal growth and leadership development. Earlier in her career, Reneé co-founded pulse220 and Star Trax. Reneé has served on the boards of organizations such as EO Detroit, JVS, HDS, JFMD, and currently serves on the board of FWP. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Reneé and her husband Craig are deeply committed to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, a mission they passionately pursue as a family. Other accomplishments include Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 recipient, holding a BA from Michigan State University, and earning a PCC from the International Coaching Academy.  

Arthur Woods, TIGER 21 Miami Chair  

Arthur Woods is the Chair of Miami 05 and the co-founder of 1080 Ventures, a venture studio and fund backing the next generation of people-first AI companies. A three-time founder and seasoned operator, Arthur has built and exited two HR technology companies – Mathison and Imperative – and previously led operations for YouTube’s Education team at Google, helping scale global learning initiatives. Arthur is an active investor in 50+ high-growth startups, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Oura, and Perplexity with a portfolio spanning AI, health, the future of work, and consumer technology. He also co-founded Out in Tech, now the world’s largest LGBTQ+ tech community with over 70,000 members in 50+ cities. He is the author of the national best-selling book Hiring for Diversity, which has been featured by Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. Arthur’s work in inclusive leadership and the future of work has earned significant recognition, including Forbes 30 Under 30, BEQ Pride 40 Under 40, the New York Stock Exchange Pride Leadership Award, inclusion as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Equity & Inclusion, and recognition among Onalytica’s Top 100 Future of Work Thought Leaders. A graduate of Georgetown University and a former World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Arthur began his career by founding a global social impact accelerator that supported more than 2,000 young leaders in launching socially conscious ventures. Today, through 1080 Ventures and his role with TIGER 21, he continues to support founders, leaders, and investors in building enduring, human-centered companies with transformational potential.