Kendra Edelman Smith

Founder, CFO

John Zdanowski

What’s something about your connection to BrightZen that few people might know?
We registered the BrightZen domain in 2011. We expanded the story in 2021. I’ve led or arranged over a hundred private equity and debt financings, dozens of rounds of venture capital, two IPOs, seven sales of secondary stock, sixteen acquisitions and the sale of multiple companies — one twice. I’ve played the role of co-founder, founding investor, board member and full or fractional CFO to venture financed companies like Assembled Brands (raised $100m), General Assembly (acquired for $413m), Second Life (grew revenue 8x to profitability) and many many more. Please read more about our presence in these stories below

What is your favorite quote?

“If you’re not happy, get happy.”

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Farming, family & Philosofathergizing, coffee in the morning, thinking and writing about systems, and helping friends and family dream bigger.

If you were to look back from the age of 80 and give yourself advice for right now, what would it be?
It’s all good.

VP of Awesome

Jeff Abrams

Jeff is the founder of the Forecast.io, a DONE FOR YOU Business Intelligence Service designed to help build better businesses. He is a proud husband, and father to 2 amazing small humans.  They live in the wilds of upstate New York.

Vice President Operations

Kendra Edelman Smith

What’s something about your connection to BrightZen that few people might know?
I worked with John in previous start-up ventures. After going my own way for a bit, I decided to take an adult summer break. The time and space were wonderful for my mental and physical health. I then reached out to John for some mentorship/guidance and quickly learned of this new and amazing venture he was creating. I couldn’t say no to an opportunity to work with John once again.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Traveling to far-flung places, scuba diving in beautiful and unique locations (Bay of Pigs Cuba, Cenote Cavern Diving in Mexico and Manta Ray night dive in Hawaii are top dives), discovering the best food and drink a new place can offer, sooooo much live music, reading as many books as possible (On track for 75 books by the end of 2022), expanding my ever-growing plant collection (my Monstera is my pride and joy), woodworking and any other home improvement project I can get my hands on.

If you were to look back from the age of 80 and give yourself advice for right now, what would it be?
Relax and enjoy this ride.

What are 2 things on your bucket list?
Scuba Live Aboard Dive Trip in Southeast Asia | Experience the Northern Lights

General Manager

Phil Zdanowski

What’s something about your connection to BrightZen that few people might know?
I spent 4 years in public accounting as an auditor. I was looking to help people more, as opposed to being the “annoying” auditor no one ever wanted to see. I reached out to John and Jeff (uncle/cousin) to discuss potential paths for my career which led me to jumping on board with the BrightZen Team.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Baseball, snowboarding, being outdoors, traveling, relaxing at the beach.