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Stefanie Thomas-Martin

Partner

Prior Experience

  • Impact America Fund, Founding Member & Investor
  • Advisor & Board Observer, Early Stage Companies in Consumer Finance, Small Business Lending, Home Care, and Mental Health
  • Mayor’s Innovation & Inclusion Technology Council, Washington, DC
  • Women Who Launch, Co-founder
  • Citigroup, Export Finance & International Trade, Vice President

Education & Community

  • University of Michigan, MBA
  • The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, BS
  • The Potomac School, Board of Trustees
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About Stefanie

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE ZEAL TEAM?

Joining the Zeal team has meant that I have the privilege to continue backing exceptional teams with a mission orientation towards delivering value for underserved communities. More specifically, I am excited to lead an innovative strategy, in partnership with Barclays, to invest in ambitious operators and future allocators who will propel the venture industry forward by bringing to market the next wave of technology and talent that will change the world. Personally, as a native of Washington, DC, I get to build an investment franchise with dynamic professionals who have planted a flag in my hometown and activated themselves around a true commitment to grow the venture industry in a way that is authentically diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant.

WHAT EXPERIENCES DO YOU BRING TO DRIVE IMPACT AT ZEAL?

My experience has taken me all over the country to work with founders, into rooms and on private boards with great minds to guide CEOs on ideation, strategic direction, and sound governance, and in early innings to support new company formations and lead early company financings. Through it all, I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some of the smartest and most empathetic entrepreneurs of our era. I bring that insight to my work everyday with learnings that encapsulate not only how companies grow into large enterprises, but also how scrappy builders transcend into inspirational leaders.

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

In college, I used to dance the halftime shows for the Philadelphia 76ers games. It was the most fast-paced, heart-pounding, adrenaline rush I’ve ever done. It’s not the scariest conceptually, but bright lights, a live audience, and a big stage can produce an unexpected fright that will test even the bravest ;).

WHAT WAS THE FIRST LIVE CONCERT YOU ATTENDED?

One of the Jacksons…I believe it was Janet.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE TO LIVE BY?

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." -Maya Angelou

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT ENERGIZES YOU?

Spending quality time with good people and being curious about them is what naturally energizes me. I also appreciate adequate down time for reflection and rest. Being spontaneous and going on unplanned adventures is also a rush, especially when it only requires a hop in the car and a drive. One of my fondest experiences working with founders led to a 6,000 mile road trip across the US for six weeks that turned into a docu-series. Life will literally take you anywhere if you’re open to it, and it’s something I keep close to my heart.

WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU?

My empathic demeanor and ability to connect things that are not obviously relevant.

YOU SEE MANY, MANY STARTUP IDEAS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION?

What it takes to get my attention is a founder with strong conviction, who also has lived experience in or near the problem, deep curiosity that includes other ways to look at the world, and a keen sense of where they spike versus not, understanding that what they are endeavoring to build requires absolute trust, vision-setting, and getting out of their comfort zone.