Joseph Spence is the founder of We Are Makers and IconIQ Talks. He currently serves as an advisor and co-founder for multiple tech and tech-infused real estate ventures. Serves as a fundraiser and consultant for the Atlantic Council – a prominent, non-partisan economic and political think-tank based in Washington D.C. – regarding technology trends and international trade matters. Is an advisor for the Summit Institute at Powder Mountain in Eden, Utah – an organization comprising a select gathering of best-in-class tech executives, entrepreneurs, investors and artists focused on applying creative solutions to real-world challenges related to the environment, education, the arts, health and social innovation. Additional roles include board memberships with the Wasatch Front Economic Development Strategy Committee, Utah STEM Action Center Foundation and the NASA Academy Alumni Association.
Throughout his career, he has had leading roles in raising capital and advising companies. Most recently, Joseph worked at Goldman Sachs leading the Technology, Media and Telecom; Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging; and Structured Finance sector credit teams for the Americas and EMEA regions. Prior to this, he worked at Standard & Poor’s where he covered approximately $144 billion in debt spanning all sectors, grades, strategies and regions. He has also held roles in equity research, venture capital, corporate banking and corporate treasury with broad analytical, managerial and client relationship responsibilities.
Prior to entering the financial sector, Joseph worked at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP within the intellectual property law group, where he translated patents and other legal documents from Japanese into English. Before his time at Stroock, he worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a member of the prestigious NASA Academy in Greenbelt, Maryland.