MAYA YAEL FRAI
SF / MIA / NYC
ABOUT ME ——
Maya is an Investor at Village Global, focused on early-stage company building and investing in pre-seed/seed companies. She is also an active advisor to re—inc (startup founded by four USWNT champions). Prior to joining Village Global, Maya worked on the investment team at Greylock Partners. She led investment sourcing as well as took the lead on an AI incubation from 0-1.
Maya has developed a strong track record in product management and design. She’s led the execution and design of scalable consumer products at companies like Google, YouTube, Meta, and Rent the Runway.
As a Product Manager at Google, she led the launch for MLB live sports (first time monetized) on YouTube during the nation-wide lockdown, led a product pivot to content across eSports, Tentpole Events, Movies & Shows, and led the pilot launch of a new Direct Response ad format for top Media & Entertainment clients. She also supported the Google Food team as lead for international (led launches for UK and Japan), monetization (led the team’s first advertising pilot with top food aggregators), and new consumer experiences on Google Search + Maps.
Maya was born and raised in Miami Beach to a Brazilian mother and Israeli father that taught her everything she knows about grit and passion. She’s always kept busy building side projects ranging from a e-commerce brand she started in high school to a female empowerment platform debuted during the #MeToo movement.
Drive it like you stole it
Reflecting on how to take advantage of limitless, fleeting opportunities, inspired by Greta Gerwig.
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Reflecting on how to take advantage of limitless, fleeting opportunities, inspired by Greta Gerwig.
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FEB 2024
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Own the room
Techniques and lessons learned from a recent workshop with Bill Hoogterp, coaching expert on communication and public speaking.
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Techniques and lessons learned from a recent workshop with Bill Hoogterp, coaching expert on communication and public speaking.
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JAN 2024
Made in: Los Angeles, CA
Made in: Los Angeles, CA
Tokyo in Ten
In December, I had the pleasure of joining our first Village Global off-site in Tokyo. We had a chance to get to know each other personally, co-observe Tokyo tradition and rituals, and strategize core efforts.
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In December, I had the pleasure of joining our first Village Global off-site in Tokyo. We had a chance to get to know each other personally, co-observe Tokyo tradition and rituals, and strategize core efforts.
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DEC 2023
Made in: Tokyo, JP
Made in: Tokyo, JP
Finding the right environment to build
Building something new: the critical role of the right environment in nurturing new ideas.
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Building something new: the critical role of the right environment in nurturing new ideas.
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NOV 2023
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
The Design-First Approach
The best products are those that emulate human nature rather than try to change it. Developing a functional product that resonates with users requires a design-first approach to innovation, and that it must be rooted in the understanding of how people work, think, & take action.
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The best products are those that emulate human nature rather than try to change it. Developing a functional product that resonates with users requires a design-first approach to innovation, and that it must be rooted in the understanding of how people work, think, & take action.
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AUG 2022
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Autonomous Careers
The pursuit of an autonomous career path can fulfill the human need to feel fully utilized. Web3 is one manifestation of that desire for autonomy and meaningful contribution.
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The pursuit of an autonomous career path can fulfill the human need to feel fully utilized. Web3 is one manifestation of that desire for autonomy and meaningful contribution.
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MAY 2022
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
LHI: Interview with Bethany Bongiorno
I am happy to share a conversation I recently had with Bethany Bongiorno. Bethany is an incredibly refreshing and creative woman to talk to and has a lot to learn from including her ability to trust her instincts, find mentors and mentor others, and take a value-first approach to her life and career.
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I am happy to share a conversation I recently had with Bethany Bongiorno. Bethany is an incredibly refreshing and creative woman to talk to and has a lot to learn from including her ability to trust her instincts, find mentors and mentor others, and take a value-first approach to her life and career.
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APR 2020
Made In: New York, NY
Made In: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Shannon Gordon
I was happy to get the chance to chat with Shannon Gordon. Shannon is the CEO of theBoardlist, a curated talent marketplace that connects highly qualified women leaders to opportunities to join the boards of public and private companies.
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I was happy to get the chance to chat with Shannon Gordon. Shannon is the CEO of theBoardlist, a curated talent marketplace that connects highly qualified women leaders to opportunities to join the boards of public and private companies.
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APR 2020
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Jesse Genet
Interview with Jesse Genet on building Lumi, a start-up focused on helping e-commerce brands with packaging and supply chain.
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Interview with Jesse Genet on building Lumi, a start-up focused on helping e-commerce brands with packaging and supply chain.
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AUG 2019
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Dagne Dover Founders
Female founders are leading the fashion industry towards a new movement in quality production and customer acquisition. The industry is no longer for those who can produce the most, but for those who can capitalize on what consumers really need. Quality over quantity is a major proponent of Dagne Dover's value proposition and their dedication to this mission is commendable.
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Female founders are leading the fashion industry towards a new movement in quality production and customer acquisition. The industry is no longer for those who can produce the most, but for those who can capitalize on what consumers really need. Quality over quantity is a major proponent of Dagne Dover's value proposition and their dedication to this mission is commendable.
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JUNE 2019
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Sian Beilock
Sian Beilock is the 8th President of Barnard College, renown cognitive scientist, and author of "Choke." In this interview, Sian talks pursuing a career in academia and equipping young female students with tools and resources to overcome self-doubt. She details her experiences as well as techniques in tackling anxiety and performing up to one's utmost potential.
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Sian Beilock is the 8th President of Barnard College, renown cognitive scientist, and author of "Choke." In this interview, Sian talks pursuing a career in academia and equipping young female students with tools and resources to overcome self-doubt. She details her experiences as well as techniques in tackling anxiety and performing up to one's utmost potential.
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APR 2019
Made In: New York, NY
Made In: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Carly Leahy
Carly is the co-founder and CCO of Modern Fertility and a brand builder through and through. She has held brand and marketing roles at Google– leading creative for a grassroots initiative to help small businesses succeed online–and Uber, running content and creative strategy for new Uber products like UberEATS and UberHEALTH.
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Carly is the co-founder and CCO of Modern Fertility and a brand builder through and through. She has held brand and marketing roles at Google– leading creative for a grassroots initiative to help small businesses succeed online–and Uber, running content and creative strategy for new Uber products like UberEATS and UberHEALTH.
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APR 2019
Made In: New York, NY
Made In: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Kara Goldin
Kara Goldin talks about disrupting the beverage industry with no prior knowledge and experience. She started Hint Water to bring a product to the market with no sugar and all natural ingredients. Kara tells LHI about her experiences as a female entrepreneur and next steps for growing Hint as a direct-to-consumer business.
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Kara Goldin talks about disrupting the beverage industry with no prior knowledge and experience. She started Hint Water to bring a product to the market with no sugar and all natural ingredients. Kara tells LHI about her experiences as a female entrepreneur and next steps for growing Hint as a direct-to-consumer business.
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FEB 2019
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
LHI: Interview with Nancy Wang
Nancy is currently a technical product management leader at Amazon Web Services, where she leads teams within EC2 for SQL Server, public sector, and gaming. Previously, Nancy was an early product manager at Rubrik, where she led the filesystem, Windows, and stealth SaaS product lines.
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Nancy is currently a technical product management leader at Amazon Web Services, where she leads teams within EC2 for SQL Server, public sector, and gaming. Previously, Nancy was an early product manager at Rubrik, where she led the filesystem, Windows, and stealth SaaS product lines.
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JAN 2019
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
Interview with Cheryl Yeoh Sew Hoy
Cheryl Yeoh talks about the early days of building out her two start-ups, Reclip.It (now Walmart Labs) and City Pockets, building out Malaysia's startup ecosystem with MaGIC, and getting >120 venture capital firms on board with #MovingForward.
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Cheryl Yeoh talks about the early days of building out her two start-ups, Reclip.It (now Walmart Labs) and City Pockets, building out Malaysia's startup ecosystem with MaGIC, and getting >120 venture capital firms on board with #MovingForward.
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DEC 2018
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
Interview with Carissa Justice
Carissa Justice is the co-founder of Nimble Creative, a Bay Area branding and marketing company. The copywriter has done work for clients including Facebook, Google Home, and Visa. After she had a baby, something in her changed. She quit her agency job because she did not feel passionate about it. Leaving her son everyday meant she had to be doing something fulfilling. So, she began to build something she loved.
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Carissa Justice is the co-founder of Nimble Creative, a Bay Area branding and marketing company. The copywriter has done work for clients including Facebook, Google Home, and Visa. After she had a baby, something in her changed. She quit her agency job because she did not feel passionate about it. Leaving her son everyday meant she had to be doing something fulfilling. So, she began to build something she loved.
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SEP 2018
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
Interview with Aanchal Gupta
Aanchal Gupta, Director of Security at Facebook, explains how she didn’t realize she was selling herself short until she had to be convinced by the hiring manager at Skype that she was a great fit for a security lead position. She soon realized she needs to trust herself more and be able to raise her hand to grab opportunities. Learn how she uses courage and confidence in the workplace to empower herself and those around her.
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Aanchal Gupta, Director of Security at Facebook, explains how she didn’t realize she was selling herself short until she had to be convinced by the hiring manager at Skype that she was a great fit for a security lead position. She soon realized she needs to trust herself more and be able to raise her hand to grab opportunities. Learn how she uses courage and confidence in the workplace to empower herself and those around her.
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AUG 2018
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Interview with Geneva Peschka
After releasing her award-winning documentary film “Unspoken” last year, Geneva Peschka has started working on a 12-part docu-series entitled “Women.” The strong female community at The Wing, where she serves as Community Manager, has helped her along her journey as a filmmaker. Through this female-focused network, Geneva has learned how to communicate, lead and find her passion. What keeps her motivated is knowing that at the end of the day, the important thing is not monetary success, but connecting with others. Read more about her films and her work at The Wing.
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After releasing her award-winning documentary film “Unspoken” last year, Geneva Peschka has started working on a 12-part docu-series entitled “Women.” The strong female community at The Wing, where she serves as Community Manager, has helped her along her journey as a filmmaker. Through this female-focused network, Geneva has learned how to communicate, lead and find her passion. What keeps her motivated is knowing that at the end of the day, the important thing is not monetary success, but connecting with others. Read more about her films and her work at The Wing.
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JULY 2018
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY
Interview with Yari Blanco
As the senior manager of culture & diversity at the female coven, or co-working space, @the.wing, @theyariblanco has not only found an open and inclusive place to work, but a band of women that empower each other. “The sisterhood is real… we can talk about things that would be considered a no no at another company” says Yari. Through her job and growing confidence, Yari started @theGIRLMOB, a platform where she is bridging the communication gap for women of color.
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As the senior manager of culture & diversity at the female coven, or co-working space, @the.wing, @theyariblanco has not only found an open and inclusive place to work, but a band of women that empower each other. “The sisterhood is real… we can talk about things that would be considered a no no at another company” says Yari. Through her job and growing confidence, Yari started @theGIRLMOB, a platform where she is bridging the communication gap for women of color.
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JUNE 2018
Made in: New York, NY
Made in: New York, NY