DeLuca Financial Services (DFS) was established in 2018 when I decided I needed a new career path after being at Invenergy for almost 10 years. This change was driven by the people that mean the most to me in this world—my children. For years, I was heading downtown Monday–Friday, getting on the train before they were even awake and coming home just to make a quick dinner and get them to bed. I needed more time with them, I wanted to be available for them, and I wanted them to know that, while my career is important, they are top priority.

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One day, I approached my mentor, Amy Francetic, about seeking a career change, wanting advice from another working mother. Coincidentally, she was moving to a venture capital fund and said she was hard-pressed to find a fractional CFO. She said "Come work for me!" but I told her I needed a full-time job and knew nothing about venture capital. That's when she told me of another woman in the Chicagoland area who had her own practice with multiple clients, suggesting I reach out to her to get some ideas about starting something on my own. Between that discussion, Amy's encouragement, and my husband's confidence in me, I decided to give DFS a try. I knew I had a deep understanding of accounting and financial reporting and would be able to quickly get up to speed in the VC world with the support of my clients and service providers. My first client was Energize Ventures in 2018, which is where I met Jen Nalli while she was working as their fund administrator. Jen was very patient with me, and I knew she was very good at what she did. Jen was just starting a family, allowing us to connect as working mothers.

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In 2019, I took on my second VC client, Chingona Ventures, and my practice began to grow by word of mouth. As I kept receiving more client referrals, it became clear that I could not do this alone. If I wanted to continue to grow so I could help more clients, I needed to build a team of truly exceptional individuals. Jen approached me about working together, and I was excited to bring her on board in August 2023 as I knew her extensive fund administration knowledge would be an asset to our clients. We then were thrilled to welcome Beth to the team in April 2024. She provides invaluable expertise in valuation policies, audit support and technical reviews of complex contracts. Then, Laurie, my best friend from college and fellow accountant, started in October 2024 to provide critical accounting support to our team and clients. And most recently, Rho came to work with us in June 2025, bringing years of investment management experience as a CFO/COO of VC and PE funds. It's a privilege to work alongside such talented and smart professionals who are instrumental in shaping the future of DFS and our clients. I am incredibly proud of the diverse expertise and dedication each person brings, allowing us to deliver quality support and build strong relationships for years to come.

 

Our story continues to grow and unfold.​ I haven't regretted starting DFS for even one day. My life is so much more fulfilled. I get to see my kids every morning and every afternoon when they get home from school. I get to work with some of the smartest people I've ever met—making their mark in the world by deploying capital and believing in businesses that will change the world. Now, I get the chance to teach and mentor these wonderful people on my team, and in return, I am able to learn from their skills and experiences, making me better and more well-rounded. DFS, the clients, and my team are truly some of the greatest blessings in my life, and I'm forever thankful for the chance that Energize Ventures took on me.