ICA Fund expands leadership team to advance small business growth

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‍OAKLAND, CA — ICA Fund today announced the addition of two seasoned leaders to its team: Jesús Salas, formerly of Slauson & Co. and Omidyar Network, as Investment Principal, and Juan Torres, formerly CEO of Bellhop, and senior roles at Getaround and Voxy, as Operating Partner for Portfolio & Network Operations.

With these appointments, ICA Fund expands its ability to deliver founder-friendly capital and hands-on support to Bay Area entrepreneurs ready to grow but are often excluded from traditional financing. Both leaders bring deep, senior-level expertise in impact investing and operational scaling, along with a shared commitment to increasing economic opportunity. Their arrival marks a significant step forward as ICA approaches its 30th anniversary.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jesús and Juan to ICA,” said Allison Kelly, CEO of ICA Fund. “They bring not only incredible expertise, but a deep belief in the entrepreneurs we serve. This is a moment of real growth for ICA; these leaders not only expand what’s possible for our founders and for the communities they’re building in but bring the rigor and expertise needed to demonstrate the efficacy of ICA’s model. I’m thrilled for what we’ll accomplish together.”

‍Jesús Salas joins ICA Fund to lead investment strategy, focusing on delivering patient, flexible capital to scaling Bay Area businesses. He brings extensive experience in impact investing from roles at Slauson & Co. and Omidyar Network, grounded in the belief that culturally informed investing is key to expanding opportunity for overlooked founders and communities.

A first-generation graduate of Stanford University and Columbia Business School, Jesús has also helped launch VCFamilia and Founder Familia to connect Latinx investors and founders. He remains active in Gamma Zeta Alpha, a Latino-interest fraternity, and serves on the advisory board of the Leo Impact Fund, Columbia’s student-run impact investing fund. He is a Toigo, Kauffman, and Just Economy Institute Fellow.

“Having grown up in Fort Worth, Texas surrounded by entrepreneurs who built their own businesses because traditional pathways into the economy were often out of reach, my perspective has been shaped by firsthand exposure to the resilience and ingenuity required to succeed with limited access to capital. At ICA, I have the opportunity to support those types of founders with capital that meets them where they are and helps unlock long-term economic mobility. That alignment between lived experience and investment strategy is what draws me to the work.”

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Juan Torres leads Portfolio & Network Operations, bringing both founder and operator experience, as well as a commitment to building practical, high-impact systems that serve entrepreneurs effectively. A Bronx native, his career spans technology investment banking at Thomas Weisel Partners and leadership roles scaling global organizations including most recently as CEO of Bellhop, and senior roles at Voxy and Getaround.

Juan holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas, a J.D. from Michigan Law, and began his career as a CPA after graduating from Baruch College. He serves on the board of SFMade and is a Pahara Fellow of the Aspen Institute. At ICA, he and his team are deepening support for portfolio companies, ensuring the organization delivers on its promise to go beyond capital as an active growth partner.

“The founders ICA backs are building real businesses for real communities — often with fewer resources than they deserve and more determination than anyone expects. I know that combination well. At ICA, I get to do something about it.”

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ICA Fund’s 2026 Investment Criteria

ICA Fund invests in Bay Area companies with proven demand, meaningful revenue, and clear potential to scale. The organization partners with mission-aligned founders building businesses that create local quality jobs and meet real community needs — particularly in sustainable consumer products, health and wellness, tech-enabled services, and workforce-driven local services.

By pairing flexible capital with deep strategic partnership, ICA Fund helps close the access gap for underrepresented founders —supporting businesses that deliver quality jobs with living wages and fair benefits.

Learn more about ICA Fund’s funding opportunities →

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About ICA Fund

ICA Fund is a nonprofit impact investment fund that believes in the power of entrepreneurs to shape the future. Through founder-friendly capital and active partnership, ICA builds durable, scalable businesses that create good jobs and community wealth. Since 1996, ICA has remained committed to building an economy that works for all.

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