Our Team
MAKE AN IMPACT
Our business is not about capital – it’s about people. That’s why we strive to keep business human. With zero patience for posturing, disrespect or pointy elbows, we have high expectations for ourselves – and others. We love to win, we hate to lose, and we aim for exceptional every time.
What makes us unique? The volition to be the best.
Sean Cantwell
Managing Partner
Sean Cantwell
Managing Partner
“I admire the tenacity and guts of the founders we work with. They possess a level of relentlessness that inspires me to push harder for them. I consider it my personal mission to help them reach their goals. I absolutely love investing, but my favorite part of this job, by far, is the people I get to work with. I strive to have a personal relationship with every founder and every management team I meet.”
Larry Cheng
Managing Partner
Larry Cheng
Managing Partner
"I want to be and believe I am the go-to partner for my founders and CEOs. When things are challenging, I’d like to be the first call because they know I will do anything and everything possible to help support them. When things are going well, I’d like to be there celebrating all of the little and big wins during the journey. I hope to be the most trusted and most impactful partner they can imagine."
Roger Hurwitz
Managing Partner
Roger Hurwitz
Managing Partner
“I see value in the investment opportunities others may not immediately see. I believe recognizing what’s beneath the surface is extremely powerful. I’ve helped several companies expand into market leaders in their segment by identifying what could be. At the end of the day, I have this passion for helping founders transform their businesses. My love for this job continues to grow. There’s really no other way to do this every day other than with your whole heart all in it.”
Tomy Han
Partner
Tomy Han
Partner
“The businesses that I get the most excited about are those that have strong relationships with their customers, with a commitment to helping each other grow and improve. What I love most about working with entrepreneurs is the opportunity to form a true partnership – both inside and outside the boardroom.”
Jim Ferry
Partner
Jim Ferry
Partner
“I view investing as a true partnership and not a business transaction. Because of that, I spend the majority of my time on the road meeting entrepreneurs in-person and discussing how Volition can be a value-add partner. All startups have their unique challenges that I strive to understand and come up with tailored solutions to ensure Founders can realize their ambitions.”
Dave Gordon
Principal
Dave Gordon
Principal
“The businesses that I find most interesting are those unconcerned with the spotlight or accolades and are just singularly focused on dominating their respective categories. My favorite part about this job is having the opportunity to be in the trenches alongside entrepreneurs and play a small part in helping them realize their aspirations.”
Tiger Henderson
Vice President
Kyle Howard-Johnson
Vice President
Kyle Howard-Johnson
Vice President
“Partnering with founders and entrepreneurs building the companies of tomorrow is endlessly interesting and rewarding. The mix of courage, creativity and passion required of them is a unique combination that only a select few possess, and supporting them along their journey is a privilege.”
Melanie Jordan
Vice President
Emily Pawlak
Sr. Associate
Michael Brannan
Associate
Katharine French
Associate
Sinjon Goldberg
Associate
Estelle Spanneut
Associate
Aparajita Chauhan
Analyst
Aparajita Chauhan
Analyst
"I am drawn to growth equity because the chance to contribute to the success of businesses that are driven by a genuine passion for their mission is both inspiring and motivating. I believe that the combination of trailblazing founders and dedicated deal teams creates an energetic environment that fosters innovation, resilience, and a shared commitment to achieving exceptional results."
Hannah Deljkic
Analyst
Hannah Deljkic
Analyst
"I believe in investing time and capital into ideas that not only challenge the status quo but also improve how we interact with the world around us. When used appropriately, technology gives us a set of tools to solve the world’s toughest problems - access to quality healthcare, the growing climate crisis and the threat of cyber insecurity to name a few. I am inspired by audacious founders and am excited to work alongside them to build a better and safer world. "
Aaron Hou
Analyst
Wells Johnstone
Analyst
Wells Johnstone
Analyst
"I am excited to join Volition because doing work centered around learning and improving is extremely fulfilling to me. Being able to set other people and companies up with long-term success by helping them grow and gain adaptability while experiencing the same thing for myself is an opportunity I can’t get anywhere else.”
Kevin O’Donnell
Analyst
Matteo Palacardo
Analyst
Matteo Palacardo
Analyst
"Analyzing and empowering growing businesses led by inspiring, go-getting founders is primarily what drives my interest in growth equity. Joining Volition allowed me to enter an environment in which the investment team matches the ambition behind the founding teams in our portfolio.”
Luke Phillips
Analyst
Luke Phillips
Analyst
"I am captivated by the passion and drive exhibited both by the Volition team as well as the countless founders we interact with. I pride myself in fostering personal, authentic relationships and consider myself a positive collaborator who wants to see all parties thrive – investors, founders, and peers alike."
Zane Salameh
Analyst
Ella Steinhilber
Analyst
Henry Stites
Analyst
Carolyn Woll
Analyst
Carolyn Woll
Analyst
"I was drawn to work in the growth equity field because of the opportunity to interact with passionate founders every day and play a role in growing their companies to the next level. At Volition specifically, I am excited by our focus on creating partnerships with aspirational and authentic founders.”