Industries: Cannabis, CPG, eCommerce FinTech, Biotech, Pharma, AdTech, Cannabis, Logistics, Impact Investment, ESG.
Previous Keynote Speaker in Impact Investments, Opportunity Zones, Start-Ups, Native America, Economic Development, Climate Change, Cannabis, International Trade and business globalization
Executive leadership roles within 9 venture-backed startups, 14 early stage, 19 multinationals and 133 Native American tribes.
Currently direct investment and fund strategies of the Native American Venture Fund Family (NAVF). NAVF is series of impact investment funds that promote Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) development activities for indigenous tribes throughout North America. I have a unique understanding of legal, economic, and business as it applies Federally recognized, Native American Tribes that allows significant economic development for those tribes and surround communities to create a sustainable future.
However, let it be known that I AM NOT A PHILANTHROPIST! I’m a card-carrying capitalist. If you want to read more about my business - investment strategies...http://johncataldi.com/about/
In a past life, I was the Personal Adviser to the Vice Chairman and Chief of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, where I later became their COO, of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Inc, and responsible for all current and new economic development practices. I led an amazing team that managed 47 businesses, under 11 business units, to include, new merger, acquisition activities and international expansion. STOFI’s business portfolio included construction, CPG, energy/petroleum, pharmaceuticals, Hard Rock Energy Drink, financial services, agriculture, restaurant/hospitality, gaming and enterprise technology.
Rule 1 – Though the aforementioned sounds impressive, I take great pride in being the dumbest guy in the room, with the smarts to hire and deploy the best talent for the mission at hand. – John Cataldi
Some other past life events, in no particular order include…
Co-authored various tribal legislation and economic development opportunities . With one of our big winners generating both significant tribal revenue and a Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) sanctioned, 9 figure tax deduction (though my Co-managing Partner and staff get all the credit – see above – rule 1)
Served nearly 8 years in the US Army, and I learned how to sleep standing up, land without a plane, use rope as the proper exit to a helicopter, taught bombs how not to explode and patched leaky soldier up on a as needed basis.
Created, expanded, merged, funded dozens of businesses, some sold, some busted, but all of them taught me a valuable lesson.
