people at a meeting taking notes

Staff

Dennis M. DeLeo

Dennis M. DeLeo

President

In 1997, Denny co-founded Trillium Group, LLC. Trillium is a Rochester-based venture capital and private equity firm. At Trillium, he is the fund executive of the Monroe Fund, LLC, an early stage venture capital fund now in its exit phase. The Monroe Fund targeted A Round investments in regional technology-oriented businesses in their startup and early growth phases.

Kenneth Marienau

Kenneth Marienau

Vice President, Community Services


Ken recently joined Venture Jobs Foundation as the Director of Community Services.  His focus is on assisting entrepreneurs knowledge through training in the VJF Jobs Kitchen, and is working on initiatives to bring new job opportunities into Rochester’s neighborhoods.

John McDermott

John McDermott

Vice President, Lending Services

John McDermott is an executive with over thirty years experience in general management and international business.  He has held positions across a broad range of business functions including marketing, strategy, supply chain, change management, and product development.  John has a Masters in International Management from Thunderbird School of International Business, as well as a BA from Carleton College, and a MA in Theology from St Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. .

Alexis Russell

Alexis Russell

Marketing Director

Over the past decade, Alexis has gained extensive experience in storytelling, content creation, and empowering others to develop and share their stories and has worked with and coached more than 60 local, national, and global nonprofits, socially conscious businesses, business executives, and community leaders. Alexis is the Founder of Inspiring Experiences, LLC — an empathy-centric agency that relies on proven strategic storytelling, marketing, and self-discovery methods to support individuals as they work to elevate their voices in their communities, uncover their authentic values, and develop and craft their stories. Alexis holds a Women in Entrepreneurship Certificate from Cornell University, studied sociology, anthropology, and psychology at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and has served as a national and global conference speaker and panelist.