May 8, 2024 – StartOut, the leading national nonprofit committed to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, announced the election of founder Charlotte Hamilton (she/her) and attorney Miguel A. Lopez (he/him) to its board of directors.
“Charlotte and Miguel each bring deep knowledge, hard skills and a track record of success to the StartOut Board of Directors,” said StartOut’s CEO, Brian Richardson. “They also bring their individual lived experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community – experiences that will help guide StartOut, as we work to empower entrepreneurs across the nation.”
Charlotte Hamilton
Born and raised in Alaska, Charlotte is a lifelong entrepreneur who has co-founded and led five hard technology startups and currently serves as the CEO of N5 Solar. To date, she has raised over $24 million in venture capital and already enjoyed one exit. Charlotte was also a member of the inaugural edition of The Gaingels 100 that honored 100 leading LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs after she publicly identified herself as a transgender woman in 2021.
“Being a diverse founder running a hard tech start-up, I understand firsthand the challenges and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial journey,” remarks Charlotte Hamilton. “Joining StartOut’s board is an honor, and I am excited to leverage my experiences in the startup space to help the next generation of LGBTQ+ founders succeed.”
Charlotte currently resides in Syracuse, New York. Her work has been featured in the WSJ, The Independent, CleanTechnica, USA Today, and other publications.
Miguel A. Lopez
Miguel is a partner at Littler Mendelson, a full-service employment firm. He has extensive experience working with clients in the software, sciences, and healthcare sectors, among others, and has a special interest in startup and gig-economy businesses. Miguel is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Columbia University.
“Joining StartOut’s board aligns perfectly with my mission to drive economic empowerment within our community,” says Miguel Lopez. “As a gay man and first-generation American, I know that it takes a special type of effort to forge a career outside the traditional legacy networks. I want to ensure every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has a real chance to enjoy real success.”
Miguel’s leadership extends beyond his legal practice through his service as Co-Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Trade Secrets Committee and contributes to LGBTQ+ advocacy through the New York State Bar Association. He lives in New York City.
Charlotte and Miguel were each elected to two-year terms, effective immediately.