Samantha Katz
CEO & Co-Founder, Left Tackle Capital
Samantha Katz is a community builder, connector, business advisor, investor and cocktail enthusiast. Samantha began her career on Wall Street pursuing an interest in building environmental markets. Known for being a corporate hippie, Samantha spent 15 years on trading floors brokering environmental commodities and transacting with over 6,000 companies globally. Her days were consumed by activities both on and off the trading floor brokering, lobbying governmental agencies and managing teams in various markets including but not limited to carbon, renewable energy, water and air pollution.
When her husband opened the New York Distilling Company (Brooklyn, NY), Samantha shifted gears into the world of craft distilling and launched Ladies of American Distilleries (LOAD), the first trade network for women in distilling. With over 800 participants, LOAD members focus on concept ideation and raise money for non-profits in their communities. Going into its 7th year, LOAD, now known as the Women's Distillery Guild, continues to grow as the industry of craft distilling does.
With a limitless supply of energy and a desire to keep bring together fabulous ladies, Samantha formed Invest & Imbibe, a community of women investors. Every other month Invest & Imbibe members gather in intimate settings, pitch each other on investment opportunities and celebrate the vital investments they are making. The member community is comprised of women across a multitude of professional verticals, who provide their expertise on a varied types of investment opportunities.
Inspired by the success and struggles of diverse business owners in her communities, Samantha has most recently co-founded Left Tackle Capital. Left Tackle Capital is building a "y-combinator" style accelerator for emerging managers in alternatives. Our goal is to promote and champion diversity of thought and experience in finance, the next generation of asset managers.
