Deven Parekh

The New York equity and venture capital firm Insight Venture Partners, which was founded in 1995 by Jerry Murdoch and Jeff Horing, is wholly involved with software and Internet businesses and currently has a three billion dollar capital base. Managing director at the firm Deven Parekh was involved with The Blackstone Group and Berenson Minella & Company prior to joining Insight Venture Partners. He began his academic career at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School.

In addition to his professional career, Deven Parekh is also a Henry Crown Fellow of the philanthropic Aspen Institute, which works to foster leadership qualities and critical discussion around the world. The Institute holds seminars and other events designed to promote honor and integrity in individuals. Deven Parekh is also a board member of Publicolor, an organization that uses art and color to motivate disaffected teenagers.

A Bouquet of Flowers, This Time

When I was young, giving gifts of flowers was my forte. Wildflowers, weeds, daffodils from the garden--I used to pick them all and repackage them to give to the adult women in my life. A bunch of picked flowers could become an elaborate bouquet, or a rose could become a bottle of rosewater "perfume." Much of the fun was running my own flower delivery service, complete with silly costume and begging for tips!

In the adult world, you can't really get away with gifting buggy flowers stolen from someone's hedge. On a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary, I prefer to give a grown-up version of my dandelion gift baskets, such as the professional arrangements from 1-800-Flowers. I don't need to worry about pulling out that old delivery costume now--with this service, everything is taken care of!