Spectra A. I. Asala (she/they) is an experienced strategist, global startup executive, and 4x founder with ~20 years leading product strategy, operations, and new market expansion initiatives for multi-billion dollar tech companies and social impact ventures in the US, Africa, and Asia.

A serial impact entrepreneur, Asala is also the founder of Project Lela, a non-profit legaltech platform that connects individuals experiencing workplace conflict to quality and affordable attorneys; Momentum Tech Leaders, an leadership and career accelerator for emerging BIPOC, LGBT, and first generation tech leaders; and, most recently, B-Side Ventures, a community of mission-driven operators and investors backing startups led by under-represented founders in digital health, fintech, future of work, community, wellness, identity, and web3.

Currently a mentor-in-residence at Techstars and a Venture Partner at Republic, Asala advises portfolio early stage startups on product strategy, positioning, go-to-market, and capital strategy. They serve on the board of several non-profits; coach new managers and CEOs on inclusive leadership; and speak regularly on topics at the intersection of business, leadership, technology, and social impact. Asala graduated with a B.Sc in Humanities and Mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.