Sara Bentham

Background

About Sara Bentham

Sara Bentham is known as an engaging leader, a catalyst for change, and someone with a proven track record of turning vision into results. In 2023, Sara became Director of Programs at the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA), the national voice of Canada’s private capital industry. In this role, she delivers flagship programs such as the Canadian Private Capital Investment School (CPCIS), the VC Governance Program, and the PE Governance Program in partnership with the Institute of Corporate Directors. She also leads industry-wide initiatives advancing diversity and inclusion, including the WES Fund’s Inclusive Women in Venture Capital Initiative, Women Venture Forward, and the CVCA Diversity Internship Program—successfully achieving program milestones. Her work draws on extensive experience in partnership development, investor relations, and ecosystem building across the private capital sector. Before joining CVCA, Sara served as Director of the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre at Georgian College, supporting startups and early-stage founders with mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic connections. She worked closely with entrepreneurs, investors, government, and industry partners to launch impactful initiatives such as Xcelerate Summit, XcelerateHER, and XcelerateNOW. Recognized as a regional connector and community leader, she is a four-time Mayor’s Innovation Award nominee, winning the 2023 “Shift Disturber” award, and a multiple nominee and finalist in the Barrie Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Awards. Sara began her career in international education and recruitment, working in China, the Middle East, and Canada. A gifted communicator and networker, she is fluent in English, Mandarin, Spanish, and French, with conversational Arabic, enabling her to forge meaningful partnerships and mentorship networks across cultures and industries.