XRC

Diana Melencio is a General Partner at XRC Ventures, where she manages the Brand Capital Fund and leads investments in consumer brands and technology companies. With over 20 years of experience across consumer, retail, healthcare, and technology sectors, she has worked in public markets, venture capital, and company building, and advises founders and boards on strategy, capital allocation, M&A, and governance. Her earlier career included a decade in investing and equity research at Robertson Stephens, Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, and Morgan Keegan, and she is a two-time venture-backed founder in consumer technology.

Pano Anthos is Founder and Managing Partner of XRC Ventures, an NYC-based venture fund and startup accelerator focused on retail technology and consumer goods that has invested in over 100 startups since its 2015 launch. His background includes leadership of the digital practice at Eaglepoint Advisors, interim executive roles at media and retail companies, and co-founding experience across multiple sectors including enterprise software companies sold to Progress Software and bootstrapped to global scale, as well as digital media ventures recognized as a Techcrunch 50 finalist.

John Buccheri works in Store Format Strategy at Apple Retail. He holds an MBA from Kellogg and has prior experience as a management consultant serving Fortune 500 companies including Trader Joe's, Macy's, and the NBA, where he developed strategy for senior executives. His background encompasses operations, financial modeling, analytics, and commercial due diligence.

Andrew Ross is an advisor and board director with experience in developing organic and acquisitive growth strategies, particularly in retail and consumer goods across mature and developing markets. He has held marketing and brand-building roles spanning multiple industries and consumer segments. He is writing a book on M&A integration based on three decades of experience in deal-making.

Amanda Bell is Vice President of Public Relations at XRC Ventures, where she oversees firm communications and provides PR support to portfolio companies in retail, consumer, healthcare, supply chain, and emerging technology sectors. With 15 years of PR experience including time at Edelman, she has secured hundreds of media placements across business, trade, consumer, local, and broadcast outlets. Her work encompasses media strategy, product launches, thought leadership development, executive positioning, awards submissions, and interview preparation.

Marketing executive who has worked with companies including WPP, adidas, TikTok/ByteDance and Build A Rocket Boy.

Founder, entrepreneur, CEO, angel investor, philanthropist, advisor and board member.

Executive leader in guest experience and hospitality.

Co-founder, chairman and CEO of Grupo TorreSur.

Innovation leader, board member, founder and investor; co-founder of Harvard Innovation Labs.

Kelly Chen is an investor at XRC Ventures focused on early-stage companies in health and wellness, personal care, femtech, and pet care. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer at XRC, overseeing finance, accounting, fund administration, and investor relations. Chen has over 15 years of experience in retail and consumer analysis across buy-side and sell-side roles on Wall Street.

C-suite executive with over 25 years of experience growing consumer-facing businesses.

Pax Anthos is Chief Technology Officer at XRC Ventures, where he oversees internal product and technology development. Previously, as the first employee at CoVenture, he contributed to the development of nine portfolio startups and helped launch the firm's Crypto Index Fund, serving as Head of Security while leading crypto research and development initiatives. He designed cold storage and trading operations security procedures for the fund.

Founder, entrepreneur, CEO, venture capitalist, angel investor and board member.

Former COO of Thinx Inc. and an Obama USA Leader for the Obama Foundation.

Former chairman and CEO of Saks and former chair of the NRF; advisor to Mastercard.