CEO Today Magazine April 2018 Edition

www.ceotodaymagazine.com 14 SPECIAL FEATURES Polina Chebotareva is the Vice President and Partner at Cambridge Companies SPG. Polina has a comprehensive background in business, economics, strategic opportunity investments and venture capital transactions. Prior to co- founding Cambridge Companies SPG, Polina was an Executive Vice President and Partner at a real estate investment firm with $350 million dollars of transactions under her belt. She has over a decade of real estate, angel investor and venture capital experience, while her deep knowledge and understanding of select market sectors allows her to underwrite transactions, develop operational teams, execute complex business strategies and finance transactions. For our April edition, CEO Today had the pleasure to connect with Polina and discuss her role within Cambridge Companies SPG, as well as all things women in business and female entrepreneurship. BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING Polina Chebotareva, Vice President & Partner at Cambridge Companies SPG What impact have your skills in leadership had on Cambridge Companies SPG portfolio companies? At Cambridge Companies SPG, I lead our team and maintain relationships with strategic clients and accounts. My contributions to Cambridge SPG have resulted in securing and facilitating key investments including Foodstirs, one of the fastest growing companies in America according to CNBC in 2016; Once Upon a Farm, a national leader in fresh HPP baby food; and Owl’s Brew, a nationally available cocktail mixer and craft beer company, which recently received a strategic investment from the largest beer company in the world. These companies are run by strong female leaders in generally male dominated industries. I use my experience to mentor and guide the companies in which we invest, and help facilitate creative solutions to drive growth. What can you tell us about the women-owned businesses you have secured investment opportunities for Cambridge Companies SPG? As a female Co-founder of an investment firm, I know firsthand the challenges our female CEOs experience. The female founders/CEOs of our portfolio companies run some of the most efficient organizations, execute on highly complex business strategies and are able to connect with the consumer and core customer. When it comes time to bring in a strategic growth equity investment, it is often challenging, as there is a void of financial institutions which