Freada Kapor Klein

At-a-Glance

Founder at SMASH (since 2001), providing resources and support for underrepresented students of color to thrive in STEM fields.
Founding Partner at Kapor Capital (since 2010), investing in seed-stage tech startups that create positive social outcomes.
Co-Chair at the Kapor Center (since 2012), which strives to make the technology ecosystem and entrepreneurship diverse and inclusive.
Co-founded the first organization in the U.S. to address sexual harassment in 1976.
Co-author of "Closing the Equity Gap," which identifies how to create wealth while simultaneously addressing inequalities in startup investing.
Serves on the NAACP National Board of Directors (since 2023) and the UC Berkeley Board of Visitors (since 2016).
Holds a PhD in Social Policy and Research.

Biography

Dr. Freada Kapor Klein is an entrepreneur and activist dedicated to organizational culture and diversity. She founded SMASH in 2003, an organization that provides resources and support to ensure underrepresented students of color thrive in STEM fields.

Her commitment to social change began earlier, as she co-founded the first organization in the U.S. to address sexual harassment in 1976.