alternative investing panel
Join t
he Harvard Business School Club of Dallas and the Harvard Club of Dallas for an engaging discussion on alternative investment. Three Harvard MBA panelists will explore venture capital, private equity, and hedge funds, with a practical focus on what these investments look like for accredited individual investors who are not institutions. The panel will break down how these asset classes work, how investors can access them, and the potential opportunities and risks involved. Designed for those looking to better understand alternatives beyond public markets, this session offers clear insights grounded in real-world experience.
The panel will be moderated by David Schnabel (MBA 1998), Managing Partner, Phoenix Strategy Investments.
Panelists include:
Laura Rippy (MBA 1993) - Alumni Ventures
John Jaggers (MBA 1979) - Seven Rosen Funds
John Rodakis (MBA 1997) - Metris Capital
Light food with be provided.
About the Panel
David Schnabel (Moderator MBA 1998), Managing Partner, Phoenix Strategy Investments. Mr. Schnabel (HBS’98) has over 20 years of private equity experience, leading acquisitions, co-investing directly into transactions, and functioning as a PE-backed business operator and board member. His experience spans industries (from tech to consumer) and deal types (including buyouts, recaps, search funds, and exits), with a focus on growth.
Laura Rippy (MBA 1993) Managing Partner and Board Member at Alumni Ventures. Ms. Rippy runs the Harvard-focused fund (The Yard Ventures), the Dartmouth-focused fund (Green D Ventures), the Women's Fund at Alumni Ventures, and our US Strategic Tech fund. Alumni Ventures is "America's Largest Venture Firm for Individuals" with $1.5B raised, and 1600 portfolio companies. AV is one of the top 3 most active venture capital firms globally, per Pitchbook 2018-25. Previously, Laura was a serial CEO, Chairman, Board Member, Advisor, and Executive in high-technology companies including Microsoft. Business Insider ranked Laura in the Best Early Stage Investors of 2024 and 2025. Laura Rippy holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB in Government from Dartmouth College.
John Jaggers (MBA 1979), General Partner, Sevin Rosen Funds. Mr. Jaggers spent most of his 40-year career in venture capital as a general partner at Sevin Rosen Funds. Sevin Rosen, a venture capital firm based in Dallas and Palo Alto, invested $1.5B across 9 funds, all focused on very early-stage technology companies. Starting as an investor and board member, Mr. Jaggers in 1994 became managing general partner dealing with all administrative, financial, and legal aspects of the firm. He has served on the boards of numerous public and private companies and non-profits, including the National Venture Capital Association.
John Rodakis (MBA 1997) Founder Metris Capital – A Dallas-based hedge fund using quantitative strategies to manage equity drawdown risk. A career investor across public and private asset classes, Rodakis has deployed capital in venture, leveraged buyouts, and public securities. He began investing in his teens and has maintained a life-long interest in portfolio construction and hedging strategies. His experience includes McKinsey & Company, Bessemer Venture Partners (venture capital), CIC Partners, and Golden Gate Capital (private equity). Outside of investing, he has dedicated a substantial portion of career to advancing autism medical research through the non-profit he started N of One: Autism Research Foundation. B.S. in Biology from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
This is a jointly hosted event by the Harvard Club of Dallas and the Harvard Business School Club of Dallas.
DETAILS:
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CT
Location: University Park Public Library, 8383 Preston Center Plaza, 3rd Floor Community Room, University Park, TX 75225
Cost: HCD Member and Member Guest: $20 p/p
Non-Members: $30.00
Registration will close at 5:00 pm Friday, April 10, 2026
Questions: velda@sacleadership.com
Please allow 24-48 hours for an administrative response.
You may also contact Shikhasethi@harvardclubofdallas.co.