About
Advisor to Luminari; Chief Strategy Officer at Starz.
Experience
- NextGen FoundryChief Growth Officercurrent2020 โ presentLos Angeles, California
- Consumer Technology AssociationBoard of Industry Leaderscurrent2026 โ present
- University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of BusinessGuest Lecturer on Climate Change and Business Strategycurrent2023 โ presentBerkeley, California, United States
- Sustain SoCalBoard Membercurrent2023 โ presentIrvine, California, United States
- PebbleGrowth & Strategy Advisor to the CEO2024 โ 2025Sunnyvale, California, United States
- Consumer Technology Association, Producer of CESยฎExecutive Board Member2014 โ 2021
- Twentieth Century FoxEVP, Consumer Business Development & Strategic Partnerships2017 โ 2019Greater Los Angeles Area
- STARZPLAYChairman of the Board of Directors2015 โ 2017Media City, Dubai
- Starz, A Lionsgate CompanyChief Strategy Officer2010 โ 2017Greater Los Angeles Area
- Starz, A Lionsgate CompanyEVP, Strategy, Business Development & World Wide Distribution2010 โ 2013Greater Los Angeles Area
- IMG Global MediaHead of Strategy2007 โ 2008Greater Los Angeles Area
- HBO, Inc.Senior VP, Digital Initiatives2003 โ 2007Greater Los Angeles Area
- AT&TDigital Strategy & Business Development2004 โ 2005San Antonio, Texas Area
- ViacomVP, Planning & Development1997 โ 1999Greater New York City Area
- Sanford C. BernsteinSenior Research Analyst, International Media1993 โ 1997Greater New York City Area
- The Chase Manhattan BankFinancial Analyst, Media & Telecommunications Corporate Finance1989 โ 1991Greater New York City Area
Education
- University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of BusinessMBA2021 โ 2023
- Columbia UniversityMPA, Concentration: Science & Technology Policy1991 โ 1992
- Wesleyan UniversityBA, Psychology1983 โ 1987
- NOLSWilderness Executive Leadership Course & Expedition Graduate2020
Skills & more
Global Mobility3University Lecturing2Guest LecturingGo-to-Market StrategySustainabilityFinancial Analysis9Strategic Planning50Certified Project Manager5New Business Development43Strategy99Project Management13Business Development99
+12 more
TelecommunicationsEntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurBusiness StrategyDigital MediaProduct ManagementProduct DevelopmentStart-upsNegotiationTeam LeadershipLeadershipManagementFrom John's professional profile.
Colleagues at Luminari Capital
Anthony Wood
Investor at Luminari Capital
Dan Kazan
Investor at Luminari Capital
Daniel Leff
Managing Partner at Waverley Capital
Danny Stein
Investor at Luminari Capital
Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
Senior Advisor and Special Limited Partner at Luminari Capital
Eric Kessler
Investor at Luminari Capital
Fouad ElNaggar
Investor at Luminari Capital
Jacqueline Corbelli
Investor at Luminari Capital
Frequently asked questions
- Where does John Penney work?
- John Penney is at Luminari Capital.
Founder mafias
Columbia University mafia195
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ben HorowitzBAFounded OpswareChris DixonMaster of Arts - MAFounded HunchKevin M. SlawinB.A.Founded Perseus SENOLYTIX +2Trevor PriceMasters of Science CandidateFounded Docent Health +2Joey LevyBachelor of Arts (B.A.)Founded Draftpot +2Inaki BerenguerM.A.Founded InfiniteWatch +2
+ 188 more
University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business mafia110
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ivan ZhouBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Decagon +2Keith LendenMBAFounded Boundless Bio +2Jay ParrishMBAFounded ROME Therapeutics +1Nanxi LiuFounded Nanoly Bioscience +1Patrick SigristVenture Capital Executive ProgramFounded IORQ +1Victor HoBachelor of Science (BS)Founded Fivestars +1
+ 103 more
Wesleyan University mafia12
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
William GreeneBAFounded Pear Therapeutics +1David SchenkeinBachelor of Arts (B.A.)Founded Agios PharmaceuticalsJohn BorthwickBAFounded VoiceCampSam WurzelFounded OctopartMax NussenbaumBachelor of Arts (B.A.)Founded CastleZach DixonB.A.Founded Players' Lounge
+ 5 more
NOLS mafia10
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Chris SaxmanFounded SidebycareAlfred JohnsonAlaska MountaineeringFounded CruxMichael LangerOutdoor EducationFounded T.Rx CapitalSeth TeicherBrazilian Amazon SemesterFounded Activ SurgicalAmit BansilNorth CascadesFounded WireOverJon GrallFounded SimplyListed
+ 3 more
Luminari Capital mafia4
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business581
Mark FiorentinoInvestor at Index VenturesRishi ModiInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Yibo NianInvestment Director at Intel CapitalZhenyu TangInvestment Director at Intel CapitalHariFellow at Clear VenturesDennisDirector of Trading at Pantera Capital
+ 575 more
Also attended Columbia University687
Ben HorowitzCo-founder & General Partner at Andreessen HorowitzDoug LeonePartner at Sequoia Capital; former Global Managing PartnerChris DixonFounder & Managing Partner of a16z crypto at Andreessen HorowitzGabriella GiglioHR & Executive Talent at General CatalystScott BillerInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Erica VanInvestment Director at Intel Capital
+ 681 more
Also attended Wesleyan University60
Jennifer ZimmermanMarketing & Communications at General CatalystDan LynchInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)David SchenkeinInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Andy WeissmanPartner at Union Square Ventures (USV)Brad BurnhamPartner at Union Square Ventures (USV)Kristen LaguerreExecutive Partner at MPM BioImpact
+ 54 more
Also attended NOLS24
Chris SaxmanDigital health entrepreneur, startup mentor, skier, fly fisherman, Steelers fanatic, Co-head of Health 2.0 Denver/Boulder ChapterLuis SpradleyPrincipal at Level EquityMaddy DwyerSenior Associate, Business Development at Cross Creek AdvisorsAlfred JohnsonCEO Partner at Ardent VentureJonathan KarlsonSenior Associate - US Team at Founders FutureMichael LangerBoard Member at MassChallenge Mexico
+ 18 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Consumer Technology Association8
Tekedra MawakanaCo-CEO of WaymoHank ThomasManaging Partner at Strategic Cyber VenturesEric HsiaManaging Director at TransLink CapitalDr. Cody ColemanInvestor at NZVCNed ShermanGeneral Partner at GOAL VenturesBen ZanielloAdvisor at Allumia Ventures
+ 2 more
Also worked at Sustain SoCal1
Also worked at AT&T118
Prashant ShahPartner at Monta Vista CapitalMark NelsonVenture Partner at Madrona Venture GroupBrad BurnhamPartner at Union Square Ventures (USV)Barmak MeftahGeneral Partner at Ballistic VenturesRoger ThorntonGeneral Partner at Ballistic VenturesAnupam RastogiManaging Partner at EMERGENT VENTURES
+ 112 more
Also worked at Viacom36
Yusill ScribnerInvestments at Impact America FundAllen DuanVenture Partner at Differential VenturesHarry HuiCo-founder of ClearVue Partners at CVP NoLimitStephen DierksDirector, Head of Talent, Fintech at Oak HC/FTJennifer DavisExecutive Director, BOOST at Suffolk TechnologiesSaxon BaumManaging Partner at Florida Funders
+ 30 more






























































