Founder, Director & President, E-Fund (VANTEC Entrepreneurs Fund VCC Inc.)

Thealzel Lee has over 30 years of experience in leadership, organizational and entrepreneurial roles as a business and marketing strategist, and as a retail franchise owner. She has coached entrepreneurs, developed and implemented strategic plans and secured financing for small businesses and large organizations. Thealzel successfully managed operations for the World Food Program as Head of Refugee Feeding Program in Malawi in the early 1990’s, and worked with women-led sustainable businesses with the United Nations Development Program in Zimbabwe.

Since Thealzel’s return from Africa, she has continued her work with Small and Medium Enterprises through the Investment Banking Division of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and as an independent management consultant financing and managing strategic partnerships. Her current role as a Senior Partner with the management consulting firm Rocket Builders focuses on commercialization strategy and operational alignment for early-stage technology companies. Thealzel manages the monthly Vancouver Angel Technology Network (VANTEC) and the Vancouver chapter of the Keiretsu Forum (Northwest Region) for the local startup community of entrepreneurs and angel investors, as well as serving on committees with the National Angel Capital Organization (Canada) and the Angel Capital Association (U.S.). She is a founder of two angel seed funds: Nelsa Investment (VCC) Inc. and VANTEC Entrepreneurs Fund (VCC) Inc., which has 40 percent of its portfolio invested in “green technology” companies based in British Columbia.

Thealzel is active in a variety of community and philanthropic activities. She currently serves as the Chair of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, and has been recognized by the organization Women in the Lead for her many years of service on the boards of non-profit and professional organizations.

Thealzel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Alberta, and an Masters of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. She and her three sons live in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For more information about Thealzel, please visit her LinkedIn profile here