EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Since 2020, Guerrero has served as executive director of the MCDC.  In this capacity, he is responsible for organizational operations and programming for the agency.  Prior to joining the MCDC, Alex was CEO/President of the VEDC, one of the largest community economic development organizations in Los Angeles County.  He has secured funding and launched two business incubators in the underserved communities of Pacoima and Watts, both in Los Angeles.  He has also led the Women’s Business Center funded through a grant from the US Small Business Administration.  In 2018, Guerrero worked with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to launch the retail attraction of the “Mayor’s Great Streets Initiative” to help attract and retain businesses in underserved communities.  Guerrero has been active in community and civic activities and has served as a board member of Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center Foundation, the Valley Economic Alliance, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and VICA.  He is also a Los Angeles County Foster Parent and a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth in Los Angeles County.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

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Sebastian De Vivo, PhD is the co-founder of List Ventures and Sophist Capital, both focused on inclusive access to capital for women and minority entrepreneurs. In this role, he has facilitated over $35M in debt and venture capital investments to portfolio companies. He is an advisor with the Startup Launch Small Business Development Center hosted by Bixel Exchange, where he chairs the Money Team and the Funder’s Roundtable, and serves on the Investment Committee at Stanford Angels and Entrepreneurs of So Cal. In addition, he has worked on several initiatives focused on building inclusive ecosystems nationwide. Sebastian received his PhD in Classics from Stanford University, an MA in Cultural & Social Anthropology from Stanford University, and a BA with magna cum laude honors in Liberal Studies from California State University, Los Angeles. His academic work has been published by Palgrave McMillan and the Stanford Archaeology Center. In addition, he has been awarded fellowships by the Getty Foundation, Getty Research Institute and New York University.

ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR

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Pegi Matsuda owns a business and community consulting practice, and has more than 30 years experience leading companies and organizations during times of significant industry challenges. She has been recognized for her work by the United Chambers of Commerce, VICA, Valley Economic Alliance, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, MEND, Haven Hills, Encino Chamber of Commerce, and named Woman of the Year by the 43rd California State Assembly District and "Valley Top 200" by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.  She served, or currently serves, as a board member of the Fernando Award Foundation, VICA, the Valley Economic Alliance, ACG-101 Corridor, Woodbury University, SoCal Association for Healthcare Development, Valley Presbyterian Hospital, West Hills Hospital and the Community Foundation of the Valleys. Pegi has a MA in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University, and a BS degree in Human Relations & Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco. She is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (“CFRE”) from CFRE International.