ZINO Society Executive Team

Connecting accredited investors and entrepreneurs from A to ZINO

ZINO Society is a premier membership, business and social network that connects accredited investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding. ZINO Society cultivates camaraderie in the world of wine and business with extraordinary people and experiences, crafting insider events, access to vintners, chefs and unique venues.

With more than 225 active members, ZINO Society is not your traditional angel investment group. ZINO Society’s unique roundtable and social events provide entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their businesses, and investors and business leaders a chance to a network and invest in a relaxed and supportive environment. In its first year, ZINO Society’s active investor network has already invested more than $8.1 million in angel financing and hosted nearly 100 presenting companies.

President and CEO
Cathi Hatch
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Prior to founding ZINO Society, Cathi Hatch has held executive roles and consulted in the restaurant business for over twenty-five years, including her work as director of operations for Schwartz Brothers Restaurants and regional vice president for Restaurants Unlimited, Inc. She currently holds positions on a number of for-profit and nonprofit boards including Zones, Inc.; Pacific Continental Bank; Pacific Northwest Ballet; YMCA, PONCHO and the United Way of King County.

Vice President - Business Development
Mary Holmes
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Mary Holmes has over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing. She has worked in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments; her career includes senior marketing positions with Starbucks, Garden Botanika, DDB Needham, and McDonald's Corporation. She has also served on the board of S.M.A.R.T Girls and the Bothell Arts Council. Ms. Holmes has effectively developed marketing programs that provide added value for all business partners. Ms. Holmes customizes elite sponsorships for ZINO Society that link businesses and ZINO Society roundtable and social members. Ms. Holmes oversees the development of membership programs, educational series and ZINO Society’s communication and marketing.

Director of Membership
Lori Vechazone
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Director of Operations and Entrepreneur Development
RJ Humphries
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Entrepreneur and Programming Coordinator
Julian Tescher
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Julian is a Student at the University of Washington who is currently studying Business and Psychology. He is an entrepreneur who has started multiple businesses, and joined ZINO Society as an intern in May of 2008. Mr. Tescher now works with ZINOpreneurs in developing systems for entrepreneurial success at ZINO. Mr. Tescher also facilitates ZINO Society's programming and manages the website.

ZINO Society Sommelier
Kurt Krause

ZINO Society Sommelier Kurt Krause first entered the world of wine when a bottle of 1975 L’Evangile fell from the top shelf, and hit him on the head. He has not looked back. As a Seattle-based instructor, lecturer, taster and sommelier he brings a since of whimsy and fun to the complicated world of wine. For years the sommelier at Ray’s Boathouse, Mr. Krause conducted wine dinners, tastings, staff training and carried on the tradition of Seattle’s finest Northwest-based wine list. Following his stint at Ray’s, he was hired by Chateau Ste. Michelle as the personal sommelier to the president, wrote columns for The Seattle Weekly, and, in 1998 co-authored Northwest Wines & Wineries with Chuck Hill. He lives in Seattle, with a growing collection of cookbooks, when he is not traveling the vineyards of the world.

Fairmont Olympic Hotel Executive Suites
411 University Street, Suite 1200
Seattle, WA 98101
206-621-0466