Comerica Bank named current SVP and managing director of the West Coast Technology and Life Sciences (TLS) Division, Sunita Patel, president of the TLS Division, effective April 13. In her new role, Patel will oversee Comerica’s TLS teams in California, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, and Toronto, Canada.
Patel has extensive experience in building relationships with venture capital firms and lending to venture backed early to late stage technology companies. She has spent her 25-year career in the venture lending market with 20 of those years managing Comerica’s Venture Capital Group. Patel will continue to be based in Palo Alto, CA, the headquarters of Comerica’s TLS Division.
“Sunita has built many great relationships with leaders in the venture capital community, and she has more than two decades of experience working with complex technology companies in various stages of growth,” said Judy Love, California Market president, Comerica Bank. “She is the right person to lead our TLS division in a dynamic and ever changing environment. Under her direction, Comerica’s TLS team will continue to bring value and financial intelligence to the innovation sector.”
“Sunita is a key partner of the VCNetwork since we were founded in 1997,” said Phil Sanderson, co-chairman, VCNetwork and managing director, Ridge Ventures. “Her support of our organization and the venture community has allowed Comerica to partner with countless venture-backed companies leading to their success. Sunita is one of most influential executives in Silicon Valley.”
