Maria Leonardi

MARIA LEONARDI 1038 Medalist Drive | Morrisville, NC 27560 |-|- | linkedin.com/in/leonardimaria SUMMARY I am a creative problem solver with a passion for startups and innovation looking to join a team that is turning big visions into reality, accelerating growth, and making an impact in a rapidly changing world. My 10+ years of experience in roles including investment banking, corporate innovation and a startup accelerator have resulted in a strong ability to identify strategic opportunities, make connections across people, ideas and data, and distill large amounts of information into a clear recommendation, story, or analysis. I am a self-starter who excels in fast-paced, unpredictable environments. My attention to detail and adaptability enable me to effectively manage multiple priorities and execute on complex initiatives and programs. STRENGTHS • • • Strategic decision-making Entrepreneurial Connecting ideas and data • • • Creative problem solving Tenacity Attention to detail • • • Innovation Communication Thinking big EXPERIENCE METLIFE 2019 - 2020 The MetLife Innovation Office is an enterprise-wide strategic organization driving experimentation across one of the largest global providers of insurance with 90 million customers in 60 countries. Senior Innovation Consultant | Remote March – November 2020 • Promoted in less than a year and achieved the highest enterprise rating possible (top 5-10% of all 48K employees) • Lead the MetLife Digital Accelerator powered by Techstars, including startup recruitment, operations, and solution testing through proof of concepts and pilots (11 tests and 5 contracts in the program’s first 2 years) • Selected as innovation liaison for Global Employee Benefits, Finance, and MetLife Holdings; interviewed 21 business leaders and identified 38 strategic priorities in 2020 • Screened ~300 companies and held ~100 founder meetings; supported the selection of the Top 10 accelerator companies based on strategic fit with enterprise objectives and strength of team • Manage relationship with Executive Sponsor of the accelerator; lead bi-weekly meetings with leadership to gain buy-in for startups and program initiatives and created 23 briefings for the most promising startups • Expanded Global Leadership Development Program (GLDP) established in 2020 to include all 21 2nd-5th-year GLDP members at MetLife replacing the annual “Action Learning Project” typically assigned by the formal GLDP program • Identify innovative startup capabilities that match leadership’s strategic priorities; drive use case development, onboard young companies and evaluate POCs and pilots with the goal of scaling new solutions enterprise-wide Innovation Consultant | Cary, NC January 2019 – March 2020 • Led accelerator operations; recruited 30 mentors, engaged 600+ MetLife associates, and realized a 33-point increase in MetLife’s NPS score through new programming and support (based on founder feedback) • Designed, implemented, and managed a new program matching 8 GLDPs (recent MBA graduates) with accelerator startups to help founders navigate MetLife and develop test use cases • Engaged MetLife associates, leaders, and customers through 10+ speaking engagements with 1,000+ participants • Created vision, drafted charter, and established operational processes for MetLife’s new accelerator space (met.X) at the MetLife Global Technology & Operations Headquarters (32 events and ~1,000 participates in 5 months) TECHSTARS 2018 Techstars is the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed with ~50 accelerators globally. Business Associate, MetLife Digital Accelerator powered by Techstars | Cary, NC • Led 900+ investor outreach process and served as the point of contact and coordinator for all ~500 global investors invited to the Investor Preview Days MARIA LEONARDI Page 2 • Provided pitch feedback to the 10 startups, listened to ~150 pitches, and coached founders 1-on-1 to prepare them for investor meetings and Demo Day • Worked with 5 early stage startups to produce compelling and defensible projections and financial models • Co-managed planning of the 250-person Demo Day pitch event including venue design and vendor management ROCKDALE PARTNERS 2015 - 2018 Investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions in technology, media, and telecommunications. Investment Banking Associate | New York, NY • Independent responsibility for deal sourcing, pipeline management, execution, and due diligence; facilitated 6 successful sell-side and buy-side transactions • Turned concept into plan for aspiring fintech entrepreneur; evaluated a difficult to estimate market size, assessed risks, identified 3 ideal entry points, and built preliminary financial model • Researched current customer base and operational practices of a software company in preparation for a sale and used findings to help craft a story that communicated the company’s value proposition and vision BERENSON & COMPANY 2014 Merchant bank specializing in Investment Banking and Private Equity Investing in the U.S., Middle East, and North Africa. Investment Banking Summer Associate | New York, NY • Developed and presented strategy recommendations and 10 priority acquisition targets (out of 45 identified) to senior leadership of a $500mm fintech company based on changing market dynamics and consumer preferences • Influenced a ~$50bn public company’s decision to place a buy-side bid by conducting in-depth research on the target’s market share, scrutinizing sell-side assumptions, and maintaining due diligence materials CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK 2012 - 2013 The first green bank in the U.S. leverages public and private funds to drive investment and deployment of clean energy. Consultant | Rocky Hill, CT NORTHERN FOREST CENTER Non-profit supporting thriving communities, healthy forests, and innovative and resilient local economies. Program Assistant | Concord, NH 2011 - 2012 ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY (SEEA was a subsidiary of Alliance to Save Energy until- - 2011 Promotes energy efficiency to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security. Program Manager, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) | Atlanta, GA 2010 - 2011 Intern, Alliance to Save Energy | Washington, DC 2010 UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (fka Clean-Air Cool Planet Climate Fellows Program) Pairs exceptional students with Host partners to work on transformative sustainability initiatives. Climate Fellow – The Wild Center | Tupper Lake, NY 2009 EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, Kenan-Flagler Business School | Chapel Hill, NC 2015 Master of Business Administration (MBA), Corporate Finance Concentration • Teaching Assistant: Selected as 1 of ~5 MBA microeconomics teaching assistants in 2015 • Club Leadership: Co-captain, Basketball; Captain, Tennis; President, Beer Society HAMILTON COLLEGE | Clinton, NY 2009 Bachelor of Arts, Economics (Major), Government (Minor) • Economics: 1 of ~15 selected for NYC program involving Economics academic classes and an internship at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP working on corporate M&A including the merger of Sirius and XM Satellite Radio • Department of Geosciences: Analyzed/tracked Antarctic ice core sample data related to climate change research • Leadership: President, Alpha Chi Lambda (multicultural sorority); Point Guard, Kingdom of Fife Champions, St. Andrews University Basketball (study abroad)