Wayne Embree is a co-founder of Cascadia Partners, a private venture capital company currently investing its fifth fund. Since 1986 he has worked closely with entrepreneurs and research institutions developing and investing in promising startups, having had a principal role in creating nearly 20 spinout companies from research universities and corporations.

His prior experience includes developing economic programs and conducting policy analysis for the Oregon Legislative Assembly and former Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt. He also served as a tactical operations officer in the US Air Force from 1975-1980 directing real-time command, control and communications systems. Wayne was awarded two Air Force Commendation Medals for exceptional performance. He was a founding board member of the Oregon Bioscience Association, the Oregon Young Entrepreneurs Association and the Northwest Capital Network. He is a frequent speaker on technology commercialization and venture creation.

Wayne holds a B.S. in natural sciences from Western Oregon University and an M.S. in urban and regional planning from the University of Oregon.