Teleangé Thomas

Chief Operations and Relationships Officer, Jumpstart, Inc.

Economic Opportunity Champion, Social Entrepreneur, Business Advisor, Strategist and Ecosystem Builder.

Teleangeˊ Thomas is a multi-dimensional woman of consequence. Her life experiences, values, intellectual curiosity, empathy, work ethic and strong faith have empowered her to be a woman of impact; permeating from the neighborhood to the White House.

Cultivating a career and accumulating twenty plus years of professional, executive and entrepreneurial experience across the industries of healthcare, government, nonprofit, corporate, business, philanthropy, venture and economic development; she brings deep insights, best practices and strategic direction that result in sustainable social and economic opportunities for all.

Teleange’ believes in the power of entrepreneurship to lift communities, disrupt systems, build socio-economic opportunities, and advance equity. Ms. Thomas is the Founder and Managing Partner of PLATTFORMS, a socio-economic impact and professional services company committed to elevating people, places, and ideas. She has passionately served diverse communities, advised and grown businesses, launched startups, driven equitable outcomes and transformed institutions and organizations for two decades. In addition, she co-found, The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland (2019), The Cleveland Black Equity & Humanity Fund (2020), Celebrate Those Who Give Black (2020), FutureLAND (2022) and IIE.VC (2024) to further bridge socioeconomic opportunities across diverse communities through philanthropy and entrepreneurship.

Most recently, Teleangeˊ served as Chief Operating and Relationship Officer, (January 2021 – September 2024) at JumpStart Inc, a venture and economic development organization with $150M in assets under management that provides entrepreneurs with the capital, connections, and resources they need to start and grow sustainable businesses. 

Also, to her credit, Ms. Thomas was named the 2023 ECDI Women’s Business Centers of Ohio Woman of the Year; honored as Crain’s Business (Cleveland) Woman of Note in 2022, is a Crain’s Business (Cleveland) 40 Under 40 and a Who’s Who in Black Cleveland among other accomplishments. Teleangeˊ serves on several Boards, is a member of several organizations (Zeta Phi Beta, Order of Eastern Star, NAACP, City Club Cleveland) she loves to travel, to dance in the aisles at concerts, is a proud and active Auntie, devoted daughter and loving big sister.