MB

Molly Blaauw Gillis

Partner and Chief of Staff at General Catalyst

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Overview

Work Experience

  • Partner and Chief of Staff

    2022 - Current

    I am a Partner and Chief of Staff at the venture capital firm General Catalyst. In my current role, I provide connectivity and strategic prioritization for the firm’s chairman Ken Chenault, GC’s chairman of health assurance initiatives Ken Frazier, and the CEO of Health Assurance Transformation Corp. (stealth mode) Marc Harrison, partnering with them on their work with GC portfolio companies, the external organizations with which they are affiliated, and mission-driven initiatives that are in service of making a positive impact on society. I also drive their executive communications, including media relations and speaking engagements.

  • Partner and Chief Communications Officer

    2019 - 2023

    I lead internal and external communications at General Catalyst, including corporate communications, and press relations. This includes honing the firm’s messaging, voice, and narrative to be consistent internally and externally, and creative oversight of the General Catalyst brand. I create and identify opportunities to build GC's brand and ecosystem through events, media relations, strategic partnerships, and new initiatives, including the Velocity Network, a program I co-lead, which connects enterprise decision makers with emerging start-ups.

  • Partner

    2018 - 2019

    My role at General Catalyst is focused on internal and external communications, marketing, and people operations and culture. This includes creating and prioritizing opportunities to build the GC brand and ecosystem through events, media relations, and strategic partnerships and initiatives, including the Velocity Network.

  • Principal

    2014 - 2018

    My role at General Catalyst spans marketing and operations, specifically, communications, new initiatives, and external relations. This includes ensuring our portfolio companies and the founders in our ecosystem have the ability to connect with one another and gain access to the resources GC has to offer them. I co- lead the Velocity Network, which connects enterprise decision makers with emerging start-ups, and I also provide operational and marketing oversight to Rough Draft Ventures, our student founder-focused program.

  • Director of Communications

    2013 - 2014

    Provided the overall vision, strategy and execution for all marketing, public relations and internal communications for Leerink Partners, a leading investment bank, specializing in healthcare. Executed and launched a rebranding of the firm, including development of a new logo, corporate website and marketing materials leveraged across the business. Worked with equity capital markets, M&A, institutional equities, equity research and principal investing groups to ensure consistency of the brand across the platform. Managed the firm’s creative agencies to create and deliver marketing collateral, as required by the business. Managed the firm’s agency of record to drive public relations initiatives and build and maintain strong relationships with the media. Led proactive internal communications planning and execution to ensure alignment across the business.

  • Executive Director, Office of Development

    2010 - 2012

    Member of the leadership team responsible for operations, internal communications, board relations and annual giving. - Responsible for all aspects of fundraising operations including: gift processing ($42 million in 2011), data management and reporting. - Leveraged technology to build the operations infrastructure to meet and support the Medical Center’s fundraising goal of $40 million in 2012.   - Led the Annual Giving program, including building the infrastructure, donor pool and collateral to support the Annual Fund. - Led Board Relations (seven boards and committees), including the nominating process, board cultivation and giving. - Created organizational alignment with a focus on internal communications, transparency and accountability. This included: staff meetings and retreats; career development; cascading communications; and team building.

  • Executive Officer

    2009 - 2010

    Acquisition of BBN by Raytheon Company: o Worked with the BBN Board of Directors and management team to consummate the sale of BBN to Raytheon for approximately $350 million o Served as the liaison for the investment banker, legal team and prospective buyers o Managed and facilitated the diligence process, including diligence materials and management presentations o Interfaced with multiple prospective buyers o Developed and executed communications plans (internal and external) post-signing and closing o Co-led the integration efforts into Raytheon, including planning, strategy, day-to-day business operations and highly coordinated, consistent internal communications Business Strategy & Operations: o Worked with the President and executive team to ensure decisions were actionable and executed o Analyzed and resolved operational issues and needs o Interfaced with business managers and staff to communicate goals and improve efficiency o Developed and implemented policies and procedures Communications: o Developed and executed internal communications plans o Developed and executed marketing communications strategy for the Global Environment for Network Innovations (GENI) business unit

  • Consultant

    2007 - 2008

  • Vice President, Communications

    2005 - 2007

    Investor Relations, Fundraising, and Limited Partner Communications Marketing and Communications - Strategic partnerships - Event strategy, planning and execution - Content and Corporate Website - Public Relations: Led media relations for the firm and its portfolio companies - Internal Communications

  • Communications Director

    2001 - 2005

  • Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator

    2000 - 2001

  • Corporate Communications Coordinator

    1999 - 2000

Latest Articles

MediumAug. 2020

Momentous simplicity

Talks about Covid-19, Family and Self Improvement

MediumJul. 2020

The Daily Route

Talks about Personal Development, Life and Family

MediumMay 2020

Sticks to burn

Talks about Children, Childhood and Nature

MediumDec. 2017

Child’s Pose

Talks about Yoga, Reflections and Life

Relevant Websites