Joe is a full-time Foster MBA student graduating in 2025 who is focused on early business formation and commercialization, particularly in Cleantech/Climatetech businesses. He came to Foster with a corporate strategy and consulting background, largely in the energy and tech industries and want to shift from those more mature businesses to earlier-stage companies. The venture fellowship was one of the reasons he chose to come to Foster, and it has been an incredible opportunity to demystify venture capital. He has been able to observe, participate in, or assist on venture deals from first pitch to term sheet approval, and have seen how venture funds support and manage their portfolio companies. After MBA he would love to use his experiences to either invest in early stage climate-focused startups, found one, or join one as an early employee!

Throughout Pavel's career, he has held middle management positions in a variety of companies, ranging from seed-stage startups to market-leading corporations. With experience spanning diverse industries such as life sciences, real estate, and manufacturing, he has gained a comprehensive understanding of different sectors.

Pavel's aim is to harness the opportunities within our increasingly interconnected global economy to create pathways for communities that might otherwise be excluded from the business world. He firmly believes that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Venture Fellows program's combination of mentorship, education, and real-world experience offers an ideal platform to gain exposure to the hands-on operations of the venture capital industry, perfectly aligning with his aspirations.

Looking ahead, Pavel's goal is to pursue a career in finance and ESG initiatives post-MBA. He sees these areas as crucial avenues for driving meaningful change and promoting sustainability.

Aaron Altabet is a former science teacher who transitioned into talent acquisition at NGM Biopharmaceuticals, advancing from Talent Acquisition Associate to Talent Acquisition Partner. He recruited across various departments, managed headcount budgets, and streamlined operations through workflow automation and knowledge management. Currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on climate tech, Aaron aims to transition into strategy and operations for scientific companies focused on climate solutions. He seeks to contribute to venture capital firms, specializing in due diligence, analytical research, and writing tasks, aligning his expertise in people operations with his passion for ideation and entrepreneurship.

David is all about building. His passion for crafting new technologies and engaging with physical architecture highlights a deep-seated convergence of engineering and design. With an interdisciplinary strategy, he hopes to bridge the gaps between product development, technology, and investing, driven by a desire to innovate and lead.Pre-MBA, David honed his skills as a licensed architect and aerospace engineer, where he demonstrated his capacity for problem-solving and creative thinking. His experiences have fueled a desire to refine his abilities further in evaluating startups, understanding market dynamics, and forging meaningful connections within the industry. This journey reflects David's curiosity about business operations and a growing interest in finance and investments, inspiring him to deepen his understanding of sustainable, innovative solutions for the built environment.Along with school, David’s been actively designing and building his first house in Seattle—a testament to his interest in a hands-on approach and commitment to bringing visions to life. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and snowboarding during the winter and is learning to surf in the summertime.