In a recent LinkedIn post, April Underwood reflects on her tenure as a Board Member at Eventbrite, coinciding with the company’s acquisition by Bending Spoons. Underwood, an early-stage investor at Adverb Ventures, shared her experiences and offered congratulations to Eventbrite’s leadership and team on this significant milestone.
Underwood, who also serves on the Zillow board, detailed the learning curve associated with her initial years of independent board work. She noted the challenges and rewards of finding the right balance between offering support and knowing when to voice critical feedback.
“The first few years of independent board work can be a bit bewildering — where to help, and how; where to exercise patience and where to speak up.”
She emphasized the value of collaborative environments, particularly when facing difficult decisions. According to Underwood, the bonds and understanding between board members and management deepen most profoundly when confronting significant challenges.
Lessons Learned from Eventbrite’s Board
Underwood highlighted the exceptional quality of her colleagues on the Eventbrite board, including Helen Riley, Pilar Manchón PhD, Sean Moriarty, Katherine August-deWilde, Naomi Wheeless, and Jane Lauder. She stated that she gained valuable insights from each member during every meeting.
“The Eventbrite board was an incredible group of people, and I learned something from my colleagues… in every meeting.”
She also commended the team built by Founder, CEO, and Chairwoman Julia Hartz, describing them as passionate, hardworking, diligent, and loyal individuals who are deeply connected to one another and the company’s mission.
Championing Human Connection in a Tech-Driven Market
A key theme in Underwood’s post was Eventbrite’s unique position in the current market. While many companies focus on automation and artificial intelligence, Underwood argues that Eventbrite champions the essential value of human connection and live experiences.
“In a market focused on automation and robots, Eventbrite holds the mantle for human connection, live experiences you have to see and feel to believe, and the creativity and taste of event organizers that LLMs don’t match.”
She further elaborated on the founder-market fit, specifically praising Julia Hartz’s personal qualities as an exceptional host. Underwood believes Hartz’s ability to create transformative and moving experiences for event attendees is a testament to her leadership and deep understanding of the event industry.
Gratitude and Future Outlook
Underwood expressed her fondness for her time on the board and her gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the Eventbrite team. The acquisition by Bending Spoons marks a new chapter for the company, which has been founder-led for two decades – an accomplishment Underwood admires and aspires to see replicated in her role as an investor.
“I’ll miss this board, and am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this team. Congratulations to everyone involved!”
Her reflections underscore the enduring importance of human-centric businesses and the value of dedicated board service in achieving long-term success and impact.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by April Underwood on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 16, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →