MEET CHRIS

Chris Catalano has been a close partner to Mats since 2002. Chris formally joined BECAUSE as a partner in late 2008. Mats and Chris share a passion for aspiring brands with a purpose bigger than their product. They both have financial and operational experience. They complement each other well and if one had to divide their particular expertise Mats would be Chair of the operating committee and Chris would be chair of the investment committee. However, their world view is such that they don't believe in separation and compartmentalization since it often dilutes the overall purpose of the business. That's why you can expect them to be fully engaged in a wide variety of BECAUSE activities.

Chris is originally from the Philadelphia area and holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University and an MBA from Rider University.

During the early 1990s Chris held operating leadership roles at GE Plastics and Chemical Leaman Corporation. Chris later became a SVP of Corporate Development at GE Capital Corporation in their transportation equipment management and financing business. In that capacity, he led strategic planning and directed all investing activities, including strategic equity investments, new ventures and mergers and acquisitions. While at GE, Chris managed over $1 billion in transactions.

Chris moved to Chicago for divine interVentures, a private equity fund focused on early stage technology investments. As the tech sector retracted Chris founded his own Finance and Corporate Development Boutique Advisory firm and it was in that capacity he met with Mats and started doing important work on the McDonald's revitalization plan. In 2003 Chris joined McDonald's as VP and Chief Investment Officer of McDonald's Ventures. During the next 5 years Chris was on the board of Pret A Manger and Donatos Pizzeria and was actively engaged in the oversight and subsequently successful IPO of Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG). Chris also played a leading role in the oversight of Boston Market and led the McDonald's path to exit in the transaction with Sun Capital. Chris was also the Chairman of RedBox Automated Retail during its rapid growth from a corporate venture unit to being fully acquired by Coinstar in the spring of 2009. Mats and Chris were part of the launch team of this exciting business.

Chris recently added to his entrepreneurial resume by building a "social youtility" where people can express their gratitude in simple yet meaningful ways. Chris believes passionately that being grateful is a key component of greatness. MyThanx (www.mythanx.com) is in its beta phase but continues to inspire our extended friends and families.

Chris lives in Chicago with his wife Mary and their 3 children.