Meet Jonathan Destler

Inspired by his lifelong passion for science and innovation, Jonathan Destler brings a dedicated focus and determination to finding revolutionary technologies and moving them from the lab to commercialization.

Education

As a young man, he attended Columbia University, Boston University, and The New School for Social Research, where he studied psychology. On his own he has immersed himself in physics and quantum physics, as well as other scientific fields. Marrying the two passions has given him the ability to serve as a liaison between the worlds of science and commerce.

His career path has led him to work as an entrepreneur, business development executive, and trusted advisor to numerous early stage and emerging growth companies. During that tenure, he has accumulated a broad range of experience in the fields of corporate finance, corporate development, capital formation and financial communications.

A knack for business

Along the way, Destler has been a founder of several successful businesses and has also held senior executive positions at prominent global communications firms. His ability to leverage an extensive network of capital markets and professional contacts and offer creative solutions to entrepreneurs and growing businesses has made him a sought-after investor and business strategist to companies seeking actionable, results oriented counsel.

He has helped numerous companies navigate the process of raising capital, going public, and/or effectively communicating with key stakeholders — delivering the right message to the right audience. In this vein, he has helped formulate communication strategies relating to financings and capital markets for several Wall Street success stories.

Helping the planet

One of Jonathan’s current and most exciting projects is Opti-Harvest: an agricultural technology company focused on helping growers of high value fruit and nut crops maximize production, optimize land and labor resources and increase water use efficiency. As with many of his endeavors, this organization — with its groundbreaking technology — has the potential to improve peoples’ lives on both a local and a global scale.

He was also a founding investor in Loop Industries, a technology company whose mission is to accelerate the world’s shift toward sustainable PET plastic and polyester fiber and away from our dependence on fossil fuels.

Beyond work

A true polyglot, Destler speaks English, German and Spanish. He resides with his family in the Los Angeles area.

Jonathan spent several years volunteering as a Mentor at A Place Called Home ( www.apch.org ) — where caring staff, supporters and volunteers come together to provide South Central children and teens eight to 21 years old with love, safety, enrichment, training, and opportunities through educational programs, counseling, and mentorship. After-school, weekend, and all-day summer programs and services include tutoring and homework support, as well as a full spectrum of instruction in the arts, athletics, dance and music.