Janis Collins

Board Member

Janis Collins is the President and Co-Founder of Refinery Ventures LLC. She is a senior executive, advisor, and economic growth thought leader with more than 25 years of experience launching new businesses and connecting entrepreneurial ecosystems in financial services, technology and healthcare. Janis is a frequent speaker, moderator and panelist on entrepreneurship, leadership and fintech.

Ms. Collins also currently partners with Yale University's Innovation to Impact, as the Director of Curriculum and Partnerships. In this role, Ms. Collins educates scientists, academics and researchers on entrepreneurship, helping them to translate their behavioral health solutions from the lab to the marketplace.

Dedicated to community service, always an innovator, and creator of pragmatic solutions, Janis served as an elected official on Westport’s Board of Finance, and was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee. Previously, she had been appointed Chairman of Westport’s Parks and Recreation Commission. She has helped to found two non-profit organizations, and has served as a strategic consultant through the Harvard Business School Community Action Partners.

Ms. Collins is a Harvard Business School alumna, having completed the Executive Education Program for Leadership Development. She also earned her MBA in Finance from Fordham University and her BS in Quantitative Methods from University of Illinois.