49er Industry Chat: Alumni Business Founders
Geraldine Aron ‘00, MS ‘08
Founder and former CEO, Paleo Solutions, Inc.
Geraldine Aron has over 24 years of experience as a professional paleontologist. She graduated from CSULB with a bachelors and masters in Geology from the Geological Sciences Department. She started Paleo Solutions, Inc. in 2004 and ran it for 17 years before it was acquired by the global corporation Stantec Consulting Services Inc. in October of 2021. Paleo Solutions employed 60 staff members that comprised of paleontologist, archaeologist, GIS Specialist, and administrative staff that worked and supported projects throughout the western US.
Jhoanna Belfer, MFA ‘04
Founder and owner, Bel Canto Books
Jhoanna Belfer is the founder and owner of Bel Canto Books, an independent bookstore in Long Beach CA. A Filipina-American poet and former hospitality executive, Belfer began hosting pop-up book events in 2018 as a way of connecting her business experience with her lifelong love of reading. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and the American Booksellers Association’s Booksellers Advisory Council. Belfer is a founding member of the Burning Issues Book Club and the Indie Bookstore Field Trips group.
Denise Maldonado ‘16
Owner, Confidential Coffee
Denise Maldondo is the Owner of Confidential Coffee in Downtown LB. Denise graduated from CSULB with a degree in Chicano Studies and knew she wanted to make a difference in her community. With Confidential Coffee, she and her team have created a safe space where they can share their love and passion for coffee with their community while bringing people from different backgrounds together. More than crafting specialty drinks, Confidential Coffee strives to create an experience for everyone who enters through its doors— sharing culture, learning about one another, and providing resources and empowerment to everyone.
