Blackhorn Ventures // Senior Associate
Why did you decide to come to Leeds?
I chose Leeds for three main reasons (1) the school's commitment to sustainability and focus on entrepreneurship, (2) the impressive network of alumni in the Boulder/Denver startup community, and (3) the relatively small cohort-size. I wanted to leave knowing each of my classmates.
What is one thing you learned at Leeds that you will never forget?
Aside from the perfect startup pro forma financial model? :)
I learned (and continue to learn) about the power of a network of highly motivated, talented, compassionate, and driven group of people. Leeds MBA alumni are inspirational leaders in both thought and action, and are achieving amazing things from starting their own companies, to consulting for some of the top companies globally, to being brilliant marketers, to driving sustainability-related change at their organizations. It's a group that I'm extremely proud to count myself among and that I rely on in my own professional career.
Tell us about a particular professor or mentor that influenced you while you were at Leeds.
Brad Bernthal. I took his Venture Capital course through the law school during my MBA. Brad opened my eyes to the world of Venture Capital and taught me so many useful skills that I use day in and day out (both as an entrepreneur and now as an investor). He's also involved in so many incredible programs, from the New Venture Challenge to Silicon Flatirons.
Where has life taken you since you graduated Leeds?
I currently work for a Venture Capital firm called Blackhorn Ventures. We invest in early stage companies that are redefining global resource use, with a focus on the clean energy transition, transportation and logistics, and the built environment. I work on the investment side of the house at Blackhorn, making new investments and supporting companies in our existing portfolio.
Prior to Blackhorn, I was an Entrepreneur in Residence for the Techstars Boulder Accelerator, where I helped to source and select the 2020 Boulder accelerator class.
Prior to that I was Vice President of Finance and Operations at a Techstars 2015 company, flytedesk. Flytedesk is the largest network of campus media in the US, having built a platform that connects brands and college students.
What is one piece of advice/best practice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
In the earlier stages of your career (and as a student especially), say yes to as much as possible. Utilizing a “give first” mentality and taking advantage of all of the opportunities that come your way will open so many doors for you in life, whether it's networking connections, learning something new from a panel, donating your time, working on a side-hustle project, or taking a new role. Then, as you progress, you'll reach a point in your career where you'll have to start saying no. This is a skill in and of itself: how to choose amongst the opportunities? If you put in the work up front (if you've had enough experiences, if you've done the self work to know yourself), then you'll just know.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
First, forget what everyone else tells you. You don't have to have been the CEO of a successful unicorn or have an Ivy League MBA with private equity experience to break into VC. You can chart your own path.
It's great to have some startup experience so that you can empathize with the entrepreneurs you're investing in. It's also great to have another skill to bring to the table at the firm; could be growth marketing, business/customer development, product development, financial modeling, etc.
Then you simply have to start meeting the right people and put yourself out there. You can do this by using the amazing Leeds MBA Alumni network, donating time, working on projects with entrepreneurs - there are so many ways to get involved with the startup community.
It will absolutely take time, intention, and effort, but if you continue to #GiveFirst, you can make it happen.
What do you miss most about Boulder?
Haven't left :)
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Sko buffs!