Conference Leadership

Jeff is a Venture Partner at Activate. His current investment portfolio includes Cypris and HighQA. He is actively involved with other companies at the firm, including Benefix, ScaleMatters and Bonsai.

His previous investments include College Avenue Student Loans (acquired by Thrivent), Premise Development Corporation (acquired by Eclypsis), SkillSurvey (acquired by Primus Capital), Current Analysis (acquired by Global Data Plc), Microtouch Systems (IPO), Multilink (acquired by PictureTel), MDI Instruments (acquired by Becton Dickinson), CareGain (acquired by Fiserv), Visual Networks (IPO), Millitech Corporation (IPO) and Intranets.com (acquired by WebEx).

Jeff is a generalist with wide-ranging investment interests and has been an advisor or a director of over 50 information technology and healthcare companies. He has been a senior partner and co-founder of three venture capital funds focused on the Mid-Atlantic region, including Leading Edge Ventures, Inflection Point Ventures, and Triad Investors Corporation.

Jeff began his investment career at Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation. He comes from an entrepreneurial family, having previously worked in several family businesses. He was instrumental in the turnaround and sale of Gitman Brothers, a leading men's apparel manufacturer.

Jeff holds a BA in Philosophy from Hampshire College and a graduate degree in Urban Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Mark L. Opitz is a trusted advisor to startups, emerging growth companies, founders, and early-stage investors, guiding innovators from formation through growth, financing, and exit. Drawing on deep experience in venture capital, M&A, and private equity, Mark helps fast-growing companies build strong legal and business foundations while navigating rapid change.

Mark advises startups at every stage, from entity formation, governance structuring, seed and venture financings, strategic partnerships, and ultimately acquisitions or other liquidity events. He works extensively with entrepreneurs in technology, healthcare, fintech, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and other innovation-driven sectors.

As an active member of the region's venture and entrepreneurship community, Mark serves on the Board of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, is a member of the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, and frequently speaks on issues facing high-growth companies. He also coaches and judges at business plan competitions and investor forums. Backed by his recognized leadership in M&A and private equity transactions, Mark offers emerging companies legal guidance and strategic insight, helping them make decisions that support investment readiness, long-term value creation, and successful exits.

Mark holds a BS in Economics from Saint Louis University and a JD from University of Notre Dame Law School.

A presence in the venture capital community for over three decades, Kelly Szejko began serving as the Executive Director of the PVCA in 1998, and then was unanimously elected as the organization's first President in 2010.

Kelly oversees the organization's numerous promotional activities and events, including their flagship event, the 3 Rivers Venture Fair, regular networking events and the annual Entrepreneur of the Year program that recognizes successful regional entrepreneurs.

Through her visionary leadership, Kelly catapulted the 200-member organization to national prominence through the high-profile 3 Rivers Venture Fair, now considered one of the foremost technology investment showcases in the country that has helped to generate over $750 million in investment capital.

Kelly spent several years working as an accountant and corporate controller before launching Tikes, Inc., a firm that provides executive leadership and specialized services like membership development, fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning to a wide range of associations.

Kelly has successfully leveraged her gift for growing organizations and building expansive networks of volunteers to more than a half-dozen organizations, including the Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (AAMP), the ACG Pittsburgh Chapter, NACD Three Rivers Chapter, SIOR Western PA, TMA Pittsburgh, and the Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference.

She attended the University of Pittsburgh and resides in South Fayette.