The Entrepreneurs Council: Peer guidance from top founders
The Entrepreneurs Council is a group of seasoned founders from the broad EY entrepreneurial ecosystem, including participants in Entrepreneur Of The Year®, EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ and Entrepreneurs Access Network. With a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs encounter as they grow their companies, these leaders offer invaluable guidance and practical advice to fellow founders looking to scale sustainably in an uncertain environment.
What entrepreneurs need to know about raising capital today
The Entrepreneurs Council provides diverse perspectives and advice to guide entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of raising capital.
Meet the Entrepreneurs Council
Atif Siddiqi
Branch
Atif Siddiqi is the founder and CEO of Branch, the workforce payments platform that helps businesses compete for talent by enabling instant payments and other financial services with easy-to-launch solutions. By replacing laggy, expensive pay processes with one that works better for everyone, Branch empowers companies to better attract, engage and retain their workforces. Atif is an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Heartland Award winner.
Mahesh Rajasekharan
Cleo
Mahesh Rajasekharan is President and CEO of Cleo, the pioneer and global leader of the world’s ecosystem integration software category. Since 2012 he has led Cleo’s evolution and expansion from a “neo-startup” with a small number of investors to a high-growth, scaled cloud software business. Mahesh is an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Midwest Award winner.
Diana Lee
Constellation
Diana Lee is the cofounder and CEO of Constellation. Constellation’s modular creative platform iterates advertising content with speed, precision and compliance. The company’s clients include Fortune 500 companies in auto, pharma and banking. Diana was part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Class of 2019 and is an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 New York Award winner.
Jessica Johnson-Cope
Johnson Security Bureau, Inc.
Jessica Johnson-Cope is the President of Johnson Security Bureau, overseeing the New York City-based, third-generation, family-owned security services firm since 2008. With a background in sales for global corporations, she actively advocates for small businesses, chairing the National Leadership Council for 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. Jessica is part of the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network 2021 cohort.
Gary Cooper
Palmetto Infusion
Gary Cooper is the cofounder and Executive Chairman of Palmetto Infusion, the largest and longest-standing ambulatory infusion company in the Southeast, and the founder and CEO of The Carolus Company. As an accomplished entrepreneur, he has successfully spearheaded numerous ventures, solidifying his position as a trusted leader in the field of health care. Gary is an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Southeast Award winner.
Nick Green
Thrive Market
Nick Green is the cofounder and CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online platform that makes healthy living easy and accessible to all. Since launching in 2014, Thrive Market has become a touchstone example of a mission-driven company at scale. In 2020, Thrive Market became the nation’s largest grocer to receive B Corp certification and a Great Place to Work certification. Nick is an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 National Award winner.
Vickie Lewis
VMX International
Vickie Lewis is the founder and CEO of VMX International, a total waste management firm that works with businesses in the United States, Canada and Mexico on their zero waste to landfill programs. As an environmentalist and award-winning executive, Vickie is passionate about advancing the circular economy, innovation and growth in the environmental industry. She was part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Class of 2022 and is part of the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network 2023 cohort.
Dennis Cail
Zirtue
Dennis Cail is the founder and CEO of Zirtue. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, technology executive and an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Southwest Award winner. As a Navy veteran with a passion for closing wealth gaps, Dennis is an active bank and community board member with the Dallas Regional Chamber, Texas Security Bank, American National Bank of Texas, Goodwill, YMCA Foundation and SMU Alumni (emeritus).
