Our Advisors
Linda Zecher
Chair of the C5 Accelerate Board
Linda Zecher manages the strategic vision of C5 Accelerate as the Board Chair. She is also the current CEO and Founder of the Barkley Group, a boutique consulting firm specializing in digital strategy. She has been named on of 2018’s most Influential Board Members by Women’s Inc. Linda is an experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of transformation in the information technology, education publishing, and services industry. She has strong business knowledge and turnaround expertise.
Carolyn LaRocco, CFP, CIMA
Member, C5 Accelerate Board & President, Lakeview Capital Partners
Carolyn is a shareholder and member of the board of C5 Accelerate. She is currently the President at Lakeview Capital Partners. Carolyn joined Lakeview Capital Partners in August 2015 establishing the Institutional Group. Having more than 30 years of experience in the investment industry of which 20 is as an Institutional Consultant, she globally consults to institutions, high-net-worth individuals and families, and has an impassioned specialization in servicing socially responsible investors and non-profit organizations. Carolyn advises and educates clients using a structured investment process incorporating investment policy development, asset allocation, manager selection and due diligence, and performance measurement as well as reviewing, developing and implementing their socially responsible investment standards.
Andre Pienaar
Founder and CEO of C5 Capital
Andre is a Managing Partner and the Founder of C5, a specialist technology investment group focused on cybersecurity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence with offices in Washington, London, Luxembourg, Munich and Bahrain. Andre serves on the boards of several cybersecurity companies including the IronNet Cybersecurity in Maryland, USA, the Haven Group in Luxembourg, ITC Secure in London and Omada in Copenhagen.
Andre Pienaar started his career at Kroll Inc in 1996 where he became the youngest managing director until the successful sale of the company to Marsh Mclennan. In 2004, Andre went on to found G3, an international consulting firm that advises global companies and international law firms on cybersecurity. In 2011, he sold G3 to Europe’s leading technology investment holding company.
Charles McGarry
Strategic Advisor
Charles served with distinction as a career CIA Operations Officer and Senior Intelligence Service executive. Prior to his retirement in January 2017, he served as CIA’s Chief of Europe, responsible for all operations, partnerships, and analysis in the European region. Earlier assignments include multiple field leadership assignments in Europe and South Asia, including as Chief of Station. Charles is the recipient of numerous CIA operational and leadership awards, including the Afghanistan War Zone Service Medal and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Charles received a Master’s in National Security Strategy from the National War College and a Bachelor’s in International Affairs from George Washington University.
Dr. Nadia Schadlow
Strategic Advisor
Dr. Schadlow previously served as the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and Assistant to the President of the United States. She has experience developing and managing portfolios in U.S. defense policy, cybersecurity, geopolitical trends, and the modernization of U.S. foreign assistance. She brings more than 25 years of experience in leadership positions throughout government and the private sector, as well as a deep understanding of geopolitical trends.