Jeff Ochs, CEO
Jeff (he/his) is a successful cross-sector entrepreneur. He first founded and directed Breakthrough Twin Cities, a nonprofit college access and teacher training program. He then invented and commercialized a hit educational party game that won the prestigious Mensa Select award and was licensed by Hasbro. Before launching Venn Foundation, Jeff served as the Executive Director of an angel investor network; managed the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Capital program; and consulted for foundations making program-related investments into social enterprises. Jeff has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and he played a leadership role in drafting and advocating for Minnesota's Public Benefit Corporation statute. He was recognized with the “40 Under 40” award by the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal in 2015 and as "100 People to Know in 2020" by Twin Cities Business.
Jann Eichlersmith, Director of Social Enterprise Division & General Counsel
Jann (she/her) is the founder and owner of JME Law, a firm focused on working with nonprofits, foundations, and social enterprises. Prior to owning her own firm, Jann was Senior Associate General Counsel at The Scoular Company, a 125-year old company with over $4 billion in sales that provides diverse supply chain solutions in the agricultural industry, and a partner at Leonard, Street and Deinard (now Stinson LLP) where she represented both for-profit and tax-exempt entities. Jann has served as Trustee for Gustavus Adolphus College, Board member for Richfield Foundation, Chair of Gustavus Women in Leadership National Advisory Board, President of Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations, and a member of various committees for the Minneapolis Area Synod of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Jann earned her B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School