Our Team

Bridging exceptional founders with industry expertise

We understand the unique challenges of entrepreneurship from every stage of growth. A huge part of our approach is founded on our experience and understanding of the ups and downs of starting a company.

 

Our extensive and diverse experiences and accomplishments in business, enterprise software, data services, digital marketing, and media allow us to accelerate founders who are poised to make a breakthrough.

Barry Harrigan

Barry is a serial entrepreneur with interests and expertise across data services, demand generation, and online media. He founded multiple business units at International Data Group, and drove several successful exits including Connexus Media, sold to Ziff Davis Media, and Web Buyers Guide at ZDE, sold to Insight Partners. He co-founded MedData Group which was sold to IQvia, and co-founded both PureB2B and Demand Science, which are now combined and remain a rapidly growing and profitable business.

 

He is currently Chairman of Pure Incubation Ventures, where he invests along with his partner, Melissa Chang, in B2B Marketing Services, Generative AI/Robotics, Corporate Wellness/Population Health, Sports & Experience Marketing, and Healthcare Professional Marketing.

 

He also continues to serve as Vice Chair of the Demand Science Board of Directors, where he leverages an extensive background in data science, enterprise software, and offshore business models, allowing him to provide a unique perspective and vision in support of the company’s next level of growth.

Melissa Chang

For 15 years, Melissa has founded and operated a number of companies; her most successful is DemandScience, a leading global market intelligence platform of companies delivering a comprehensive suite of B2B solutions focusing on data, analytics, demand generation, data science and custom content publishing.

 

DemandScience has been growing steadily and has been featured in the Inc 5000 for the past eight consecutive years (under the name Pure Incubation and then DemandScience). It has also been voted as one of the Best Places to Work in Boston by the Boston Business Journal multiple times.

 

She has had the privilege and joy of working alongside her mentor, Barry Harrigan, for the past 23 years.

 

John o'malley

John, member of the Board of Directors, is a global business leader with a 30-year track record of visionary leadership across the tech sector. Renowned for merging data intelligence with technology and content, he has spearheaded numerous enterprises to success.

 

As CEO of Connect, he guided the startup to $140MM, and as COO of IDG, played a pivotal role in IDG’s growth and eventual sale for $1.4 billion to Blackstone in 2021. His extensive experience includes roles on various venture and private equity boards, alongside a decade on the IDC Research board.

John’s earlier career featured pivotal leadership roles at Ziff Davis B2B, HP/Compaq, and Gateway 2000, establishing him as a distinguished figure in corporate and startup environments. John is an Economics graduate of Trinity College Dublin.

Cara Smith

In her role as Executive Director of Pure Incubation Ventures, Cara ensures that the organization remains aligned with overall company goals and culture in both business and philanthropic endeavors. Cara has more than 20 years of management experience, including over a decade as an operations leader collaborating with people from all over the world. From HR, to Client Services and even Data Operations, Cara has had a hand in almost every aspect of business, most recently serving as the General Manager of Philippine Operations at Demand Science, LLC.

Kristen Duffy

In her role as General Manager, Kristen handles all financial aspects of the company. She has over 10 years of experience working with various Venture Capital and Private Equity firms through her previous employment as Accounting Manager at Park Street Capital LLC and Consulting Controller at Stafford Consulting Inc. In these positions her responsibilities included fund accounting, audit preparation, budgeting, investor relations, HR management and administration support. She holds an MBA from Boston College and a BS in Accountancy from Bentley University.

Jeff Fronzak

Jeff Fronzak, member of the Board of Directors, has excelled in roles across various organizations and industries. With over three decades of experience, his expertise lies in project controls management, cost control, planning, scheduling, estimating, Six Sigma and risk management and government contracting. Fronzak has managed complex projects, led teams, and played pivotal roles in significant achievements, including cost and schedule control over an annual environmental cleanup budget of $220M at Los Alamos National Laboratory as well as leadership positions at Martin Marietta, Bechtel, and Kwajalein Range Services, LLC,
managing multi-million-dollar projects with precision.

Barry Sullivan, Cfo

Seasoned Entrepreneur and Finance & Operations Executive, CFO, Barry Sullivan, brings over 25 years of leadership experience, specializing in private equity-owned portfolio companies with a focus on achieving successful exits. Barry has a proven track record in building and guiding Finance, Treasury, Tax, IT, HR, and Supply Chain organizations across diverse industries including manufacturing, technology, services, and aerospace and defense.

 

Barry’s expertise spans strategic and financial debt capital raising, and he excels in representing companies in all external interactions, from investors and Boards of Directors to media and banking professionals.

With a robust background in these areas, Barry is dedicated to driving organizational success and delivering exceptional results in complex financial landscapes.

hanna suarez

In her role as Creative Director, Hanna helps shape the creative and business strategy of PIV and its associated brands. Her journey began in the world of advertising and events marketing, where she honed her creative skills and passion for innovation. Over the past decade, Hanna transitioned into B2B marketing and corporate strategy as a pioneering member of DemandScience, where she drove strategic initiatives and contributed to remarkable growth.

Now, as part of the Pure Incubation Ventures team, Hanna has come full circle to her creative roots. She collaborates daily with other passionate and talented individuals, driving innovation and success for PIV and its brand portfolio.

 

Lourdes Rances

An entrepreneur at heart and former consultant, PIV’s Admin Manager, Lourdes Rances, has 15 years of experience providing high- level assistance to entrepreneurs in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Middle East. Lourdes offers her expertise to facilitate significant value creation by providing administrative solutions, strategy consulting, and business development. Lourdes studied business management, is a mother of two, and splits her time between residences in Manila and Tarlac Philippines.

Christina Cantor

Christina is PIV’s Senior Accountant and takes on the task of maintaining and facilitating accurate accounting records, setting-up and organizing multiple company books. She is also responsible for local reporting requirements and other admin matters. She works closely with the US General Manager for all local investments. Christina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from University of the East and has over 20 years of extensive Finance and Accounting experience in shared services and BPO companies.

Take the next step with us

Meet with us and find out how we can move your business forward.

 

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