Deb Gironda

Deb joined Polaris in 2006.  She is executive assistant to the Polaris Growth Fund team. Prior to Polaris she was Community Relations Assistant for Solimine Funeral Homes and Executive Assistant within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Affairs.

In her spare time she enjoys cooking, entertaining and traveling with family and friends.

Jeff Del Presto

Jeff rejoined Polaris Growth Fund in 2022 as a vice president on the team. He previously spent 3+ years on the PGF team focusing on later stage growth investments in technology businesses.

Jeff currently represents PGF on the board of LCvista and TransACT Communications. Prior to rejoining the team, Jeff worked with TransACT Communications, a portfolio company of PGF, where he helped lead corporate development and strategic finance efforts.

Previously, Jeff worked as an Analyst at Jefferies LLC, where he completed M&A transactions as a part of the Technology Investment Banking Group.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Jeff received his M.S. in Commerce-Financial Services in 2014, and his B.S. in Systems Engineering in 2013.

Outside of the office, Jeff enjoys exploring South Boston with his wife, Maggie, their son, Theo, and dog, Honey. Although he remains fervently loyal to his hometown of Pittsburgh and all its sports teams.

Mark Coster

Mark joined the Polaris Growth Fund team in 2023 to help build its Strategic Acceleration Team. In his role, Mark works with PGF portfolio companies to evaluate and execute strategic acquisitions.

Prior to joining PGF, Mark was the SVP of Corporate Strategy and Development at Trader Interactive where he led the acquisition of multiple lower middle market companies. The company was PE-owned by Goldman Sachs and Eurazeo until its exit to Carsales (ASX: CAR) in 2022. Prior to Trader Interactive, Mark worked at CarMax and PRA Group in Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development, and Portfolio Acquisition roles. He started his career at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as an Associate in the DC office.

Mark holds an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business and a BSc in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce, both at the University of Virginia.

Mark lives in Virginia Beach with his wife Courtney and three children and, in his free time, enjoys coaching, playing, and watching sports.

Sabrina Chiasson McLaughry

Sabrina joined Polaris Growth Fund in 2018 and is a principal on the team.

Sabrina currently represents Polaris on the board of Avolve Software, B2Gnow, LCvista, Martin & Co, and TransACT Communications, and has also served on the board of Emergency Reporting (ESO/Vista Equity Partners) and Iridium Technology (BigHand/LLCP). Prior to joining Polaris, Sabrina was a vice president in the private equity practice at Battery Ventures, a multi-stage technology focused investment firm. While at Battery, Sabrina was responsible for originating and executing investment opportunities as well as assuming board of director responsibilities at portfolio companies.

Sabrina started her career as an associate at H.I.G. Growth Partners in Boston where she sourced and executed investments in the consumer, healthcare and technology sectors.

Sabrina received a B.A. in biology and economics from Dartmouth College. While at Dartmouth, Sabrina was a member of the alpine ski team. Sabrina and her husband, Luke, and daughter live in Boston but still make it up to their native Vermont to enjoy the outdoors.

Mark Augenstern

Mark rejoined PGF in 2022 to help build the Strategic Acceleration Team. He previously spent three years as an associate on the PGF Investment Team.

Prior to rejoining PGF, Mark was the Director of Strategic Finance & Business Operations at Cityworks, a former PGF portfolio company. While at Cityworks, he helped guide the company to its successful acquisition by Trimble (TRMB).

Mark began his career as an M&A analyst at Harris Williams & Co. in the tech group in Boston. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Vanderbilt University, where he also studied Portuguese and Spanish.
Mark grew up on the South Shore of the Boston area. Outside of the office, he loves to ski and is an irrational Boston sports fan.