Katelyn Donnelly

Managing Partner at Avalanche Investor

Founder and Managing Partner
2022 - Current
We're not looking for a unicorn. We're looking for an avalanche. We invest early behind massive trends transforming how people learn, earn, and own.

Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member
2013 - 2022
Over the years, I have played every role as we’ve built the company: the first point of contact for a new delivery unit; training government officials; revamping our marketing strategy; introducing technology and building the product suite; recruiting senior members of our stellar team; devising the exit to Private Equity (Trill Partners); and, last but not least, serving as a Board member. DA drives large scale public outcomes in partnership with governments and social impact organizations. The deliverology approach has been successfully applied in 40+ countries across education, health and economic development. Technology products being used by Prime Ministers, Governors, Mayors, Ministers and other senior leaders of 30+ countries. I also founded DA Digital, the division of Delivery Associates, to build digital products to accelerate progress, solve problems, and analyze data for governments.

Fractional CFO
2020 - 2021
Coding Dojo is one of the largest bootcamps in the world and has helped thousands of students learn the skills to pursue more fulfilling careers as software developers

Fellow - Class 21
2016 - 2018
The Kauffman Fellowship is a prestigious two-year program dedicated exclusively to the world of venture capital and the cultivation of new high-technology, high-growth, high-impact companies. To date, Kauffman Fellows have made $6 billion in venture capital investments, sparking growth in hundreds of new enterprises, $15 billion in annually recurring revenues, and the creation of 50,000 jobs.

co-founder and Managing Director
2012 - 2017
Pearson Ventures (prior PALF) is a venture fund with $65M of capital that invests in private schools, education technology, and scalable services in emerging markets. By the end of 2016, had 10 portfolio companies across 6 countries averaging 140% revenue growth and marked at ~20% gross IRR. +Managed and co-founded the fund from inception including structuring, sourcing, deal management, deal execution, and portfolio management +Managed investment committee including CEO, CFO, and others +Board member of 5 companies: SPARK Schools, APEC Schools, Omega Schools, HarukaEDU, and Avanti Learning Centres.
Chief of Staff
2011 - 2012
Pearson is the world's leading education company. From pre-school to high school, early learning to professional certification, Pearson curriculum materials, multimedia learning tools, and testing programs help to educate millions of people worldwide. Pearson also included the Financial Times Group and Penguin books. +Built the Office of the Chief Education Advisor and reported to Sir Michael Barber. +Devised the first global efficacy strategy and oversaw the implementation +Built the Research and Innovation team and contributed strategy papers on the future of education

President
2006 - 2008
Led DUU consisting of 25 executive/programming directors, reassessed the ~$1 million dollar budget, and advocated arts and student interests to campus administrators Union operations include the Duke Coffeehouse, WXDU radio station, Small Town Records - a recording studio and record label, Cable13 - Duke's cable television station, Freewater Productions, film presentations, campus concerts (e.g., Regina Spektor, T.I. and the Roots), major speakers (e.g., Karl Rove, John Waters, Chuck Klosterman), and Joe College Day