Our Team
Twila True
Chief executive officer & co-Founder
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Twila True is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Twila overcame a challenging family upbringing to become a successful entrepreneur, from investing and incubating, to owning and operating, multi-million dollar companies in real estate, entertainment, education, retail and consumer goods..
Twila serves as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of True Family Enterprises, a privately held investment firm. The portfolio includes Twila True Inclusive Enterprises, a Native American certified MWBE that provides high quality products, services, and resources to MWBEs; Twila True Fine Jewelry located CA and NV; True Lane Homes, a leading woman and minority managed real estate investment firm and property management company; Volume and 1500 Sound Academy, an independent entertainment company and music school, co-founded with GRAMMY Award winners James Fauntleroy, Larrance Dopson.
In addition to her businesses, Twila’s charitable ventures include an orphanage assistance foundation in China, and a Native American tribal foundation in the U.S.
Alan True
co-Founder
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Alan True is a futurist with a proven track record of profitable investing and entrepreneurial success. He has an intrinsic knack for identifying new opportunities and potential strategic initiatives. As an inspirational leader, he lays out his vision through thoughtful narrative and planning, fostering positive action from his team while staying grounded in financial and operational acumen.
Respected as an American investor and entrepreneur, he has created, run, and managed several highly successful global businesses in consumer goods manufacturing, food processing, household products, personal and leisure products, and real estate, among other industries. His functional skills include strategy, operations, sales, purchasing, supply chain, and R&D. Alan’s skill set has resulted in these investments defining new markets and yielding large returns on investment.
Currently, Alan is Chairman of True Family Enterprises, oversees the development, operation, and management of the portfolio of businesses in the real estate, entertainment, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors. True Family Enterprises also invests private capital in early-stage, fast-growing companies.
Ross Gatta
Chief financial officer
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Ross has extensive experience in operating some of the largest food related businesses globally. Ross was previously with Pulmuone Foods USA Inc. for 6 years where he held the role of CEO. Prior to joining Pulmuone USA Inc., Ross was an International executive with the Nestle Group and held senior leadership roles across Europe and Asia Pacific within Nestlé’s Ice Cream, Bottled Water as well as Nespresso business units.
Chris Dedic
Senior vice president
Family office
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Chris is responsible for financial planning, investment analysis, and research and underwriting of private equity, venture capital and liquid market investments and operating activities. Chris has 23 years of experiences in finance, corporate and investment banking, and valuation. Prior to joining True Family Enterprises, Chris was a Vice President at MUFG Union Bank, where he managed a portfolio of middle market commercial banking relationships. Previously, Chris provided M&A and capital raising advisory services to owners, shareholders and managers of privately owned mid-sized businesses and mid-cap public companies as a Vice President at D.A. Davidson & Co. Chris also provided corporate and investment banking services to companies operating in multiple industries as a Vice President in Bank of America’s Global Corporate & Investment Banking group. Chris began his career as an Analyst in the Valuation Advisory Group of Ernst & Young. Chris received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a finance emphasis from the University of Southern California.
Gwendolyn Wilson
Senior vice president
family office
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Gwendolyn Wilson is the SVP Business Structure, Corporate Governance & Human Resources for True Family Enterprises. She has over 15 years of experience in the areas of business structure, human resources, and acquisition activities. Gwendolyn received her BA from the University of California, San Diego.
Wesson Assefa
Senior Vice President of Operations and Broker of Record at Truelane Management
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With over 20 years of commitment to the real estate sector, Wesson currently leads as the Senior Vice President of Operations and Broker of Record at Truelane Management.
His background is marked by a specialization in distressed real estate acquisitions & dispositions, investments, and management of property portfolios.
Wesson also supports the Family Office expansion across other verticals including infrastructure and clean energy.
Brandon True
Business Development
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Brandon is a dynamic professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Entrepreneurship from Chapman University. As a key player in the Business Development team at True Family Enterprises, he thrives in collaborating with seasoned investors renowned for their entrepreneurial prowess. Brandon’s tenure at True Family Enterprises has been marked by his instrumental role in nurturing growing enterprises across diverse sectors including infrastructure development, renewable energies, entertainment, real estate, capital markets, and consumer goods.
Under the guidance of C-suite operational management, Brandon has developed a remarkable aptitude for identifying and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. With a passion for fostering growth and driving strategic initiatives, Brandon continues to be a driving force behind the expansion and diversification of True Family Enterprises’ portfolio.
Outside his professional endeavors, Brandon finds solace in spending time with his family and exploring a multitude of enriching cultural experiences. As a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation, he looks to bring both prosperity and opportunity to the people of his heritage. An avid traveler and story teller, Brandon finds joy in experiencing moments that resonate with the essence of life.
Athena M. Walsh
Financial Controller
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Athena Walsh is the Controller for True Family Enterprises. She is an experienced accounting professional with a demonstrated history of working across vastly different industries such as real estate, health and beauty, food and beverage, entertainment, and consumer luxury goods. She has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. Athena is passionate about delivering high-quality financial information and insights that enable strategic decision-making and performance improvement. Athena attended Georgia State University for a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, where she was honored with academic achievements including Dean’s List.
Michelle Ruan
Accountant
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Michelle is the Accounting Manager for True Family Enterprises. She is a CPA in California with 3 years of experience in public accounting and over 13 years of experience in accounting for multiple industries such as real estate, manufacturing, and retail. Michelle received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern California.