Cleary Gottlieb Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang, along with partner Francesca Odell, hosted a virtual global town hall with Start Small Think Big (SSTB) founder and Executive Director Jennifer DaSilva on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
More than 400 members of the Cleary community participated in the webinar from across the globe. Michael introduced Jennifer, an attorney with an extensive community development background, before engaging in a discussion on a range of topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on small businesses. Francesca, who currently serves as a member of SSTB’s board of directors and works with Jennifer frequently, led the Q&A portion of the town hall.
Among other insights, Jennifer shared her personal experiences that led to starting SSTB, what consumers can do to support small businesses during this unusual time, and how lawyers can get involved with community development work.
Start Small Think Big, a longtime pro bono client of the firm, is a nonprofit organization focused on helping under-resourced entrepreneurs create thriving businesses in underserved areas.