From Tarah Malhotra-Feinberg

Everything Yode did was big. He had the biggest heart, big ideas, and the biggest of brains. His big, roaring laugh was contagious and undeniably authentic. He challenged those around him to be bigger, and his empathy for how big challenges felt to people was even bigger. And his hugs were the biggest of all.

I had the honor of co-creating, building, learning and innovating with Yode at KITE. From the first moment we met, it was clear that we were aligned in mission, vision and passion. Here was a person who knew how to navigate the traditional, institutional worlds of business and culture, using his charm and brilliance to open doors for entrepreneurs and those who never had access before. He was a translator and a facilitator, helped greatly by the fact that everyone (and I mean everyone) liked Yode as soon as they met him.

This ability to connect, interpret and synthesize opportunities between groups that don't usually communicate spread across everything he touched. In business, activism, relationships and fatherhood, I was repeatedly awed by how he could make complex concepts digestible and attractive to whoever he was speaking to. His unfiltered, yet unoffensive, honesty made everyone around him better. He compelled and led the most rigid, old school corporations to consider, partner with and invest in companies led by people of color, women and other marginalized communities that never had a way in. It made all of them, and the world, better, and will continue to as his legacy continues.

I’ll miss eating and drinking with him the most. Other than my wife, I’ve never met anyone that loved good food and had such a refined palette. No pretension - we dove in on good street food as passionately as a Michelin Star restaurant. Never a boring meal with that guy. And our shared love for brown liquor was fierce. He introduced me to some of my favorite whiskeys.

Yode taught me so much. He made me a better strategist, salesperson and innovator. He made me a better friend. He made me a better ally to Black and other marginalized communities. He made me a better father.

When he started getting serious with Kim, I saw him light up in a way that I didn't know was possible. He always brought light and enthusiasm for life, but it became exponential at that point. I saw his vision and focus become clearer. His priorities were undeniable. The way he talked about being a father to Gio changed. And then when Nico came, it seemed like he was more fully realized than he had ever been, as both a father and a life partner to Kim. He loved her with all of her being.

This loss is so painful, yet his legacy is so beautiful. We see it in his children, the startups that are his professional children, and in the many people that celebrate his life and how he touched us. The world is undeniably better because of Yode's time on Earth, and I know I'm not alone in carrying his way of living forward in every way I can.

I consider Yode a true brother, so my deepest love and support goes to the family. I am always here for you and with you.

I will make you proud, Yode.

With all my heart and gratitude,

Tarah Malhotra-Feinberg