Name: Serena Davis
Lives in: Argyroupoli, Greece
From: I was born in Germany and grew up equally in Germany (Bonn, Heidelberg, Munich) and the USA (Dallas, Austin, Washington DC) and then graduated high school in South Korea.
Occupation: I’m co-founder at Hippo Seeds, an advisory service and investment organization with the tagline “We back founders who have the courage to solve difficult problems.” We work with company founders who are somehow beacons for change, whether through the product itself or because the way that they conduct business will challenge old damaging ways. We invest and help with operational scaling. Our services range from product enhancement, opening sales channels, additional fundraising etc. I absolutely LOVE what I do. It brings together all the things I have learned in my 25-year career.
Tell us your first three jobs (ever!): My first job was as a receptionist at an education center in Pyoengtaek, South Korea. My second job was selling chocolate chip cookies in a bakery, and my third job was as a waitress at a pool hall and yes, I learned how to play the game quite well.
Zodiac sign: Leo
Enneagram type: Type 5, Investigator
What do you love about Greece? I love Laiki. It’s a farmers market that is once a week in practically every neighborhood. They block off a street for the day, and the sellers set up their stands. Mine is on a Saturday so it’s a very bustling place, and the vendors will shout things about what they are selling and sometimes a compliment to get your attention. It’s a very sweet version of cat-calling because they speak politely using the formal plural.
My second favorite thing is how motorcycle friendly this city is. You can park practically anywhere and split lanes (drive between the cars in traffic). Although the traffic is hectic, because they are so used to motorcycles, they watch out for you, and it’s safer than most other cities. IMO.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you: I have a satellite school certificate from Johannesburg, South Africa as a training i did for a satellite project that I worked on there.
Where we are most likely to find you in Lynn’s community: Rooftop yoga all the way!!
When was the first time you tried Kundalini Yoga? With Lynn on her rooftop.
Tell us your top tip to combat climate change: Investing in companies that are making a true difference in how they conduct business. Their product itself does not have to be an environmental one, but I look for somewhere in their value chain where they do things quite differently, creating a very positive consequence. For example, I have backed two farmers (including one woman farmer) who are influencing their regions by teaching how they do polyculture farming and regenerative activities. I’ve also invested in the work of a woman who is going to make toilet paper and other paper products from agriculture harvest by-products and…i could go on and on.
Anything else you’d like us to know? The community that Lynn has curated has so many amazing people around. She had organized a volunteering trip back in 2015 and from that I have one of my favorite friends. So a thank you for that.