"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
Growing up in Vancouver, BC, with an older sister who was just as competitive as he was, Frank learned early to embrace a little friendly rivalry. Whether in school, sports, or life, the two were always finding ways to one-up each other personally, professionally, and athletically.
Frank’s interest in business and finance began in a high school economics class, where he became fascinated by the forces shaping the headlines and, later, by how news events could move markets. That curiosity led him to the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied finance and behavioral economics at Wharton. He was also a member of the varsity lightweight rowing team, overlapping for three years with Dom, and helped the team win an Ivy League title, earn Best Team honors, and place second at nationals. Rowing left him with one lesson that has stayed with him, which is that the right people can make even the longest days and hardest workouts feel worthwhile.
At Penn, one of Frank’s favorite classes was negotiations, where each session paired theory with role-playing different strategies. His most unusual class was Intro to Clay, a semester-long ceramics course. But one of the most formative academic experiences came in a valuation course, where he built a full model and investment report for a public company. Starting with no knowledge of the business or industry, he had to develop a thesis, understand the market, and gain conviction. The experience helped him realize how much he enjoyed learning an industry through the lens of a company.
Frank began his career at StepStone Group on the venture capital team, working across direct, fund secondary, and fund primary investments. The role confirmed what he already suspected, that he loved the pace of venture, the constant learning, and, of course, the satisfaction of being right. Moving to Baltimore for the job was also a major leap (a new city he had never visited, where he didn’t know anyone!) and it reinforced his instinct to find his people wherever he goes.
His connection to Founders Circle Capital started through Dom, who graduated from Penn the year before him and joined the firm. From day one, he felt trusted with ownership, equipped with the right tools, and empowered to take responsibility for each step of the investment process. To him, venture is compelling because it is ultimately a bet on yourself through your process, your diligence, and your judgment. FCC stood out as a place that made that same bet on its own people.
Outside of work, Frank spends his time road cycling and running — his “retirement sports of choice” — along with cooking and baking. He got into sourdough during college, making San Francisco, and especially Tartine, a fitting place to land. He has also driven across the country twice in the past year, with favorite stops along the Oregon Coast, Dallas, Denver, and Tahoe. He loves the chance to see places he might otherwise fly over, try local food, get outside, and enjoy the kind of introspection that comes from long stretches alone with his thoughts.
