Danielle joined NEA in 2017. As a Partner based in New York, she is focused on consumer technology and AI application companies. Her investments include Beehiiv, Patreon, Goody, Fizz, among others. Prior to joining NEA, she was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs covering fintech. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in economics, business institutions, and Chinese.
What’s a philosophy that guides your approach to relationship-building?
Trust and respect. Whether it’s a marriage, friendship, or a working relationship, all good relationships need these two ingredients. So many things have to go right for a company to be successful. Having relationships grounded in trust and respect among the team, with the board, and with lead investors is crucial.
How do you establish trust in your relationships with founders?
For me, it’s about having a high say-to-do ratio and demonstrating consistency in your follow-through, in your communication, and in how you show up—and it’s about sharing a few meals together. It’s also remembering that trust is not the same as having the same opinions.
Which parts of your personality make you well-suited for your role?
Curiosity and optimism. Both are needed to investigate problems deeply and to see the art of the possible in companies.
In your opinion, what matters most in the process of building a company?
Failing fast. There are few clichés that I believe in more deeply than this one, in life and in company building. Great companies are built by iterating with keen judgment, focus, and low ego.
How did your childhood shape who you are today?
I’ve always been a big reader and was surrounded by books growing up. One shelf in my room was dedicated to Time magazine’s annual Best Inventions issues. There was no digital print then, and they only came out once a year, so I would read them over and over again until some of the pages had to be taped together. I loved dreaming about the future and about new technologies that were being brought into the world. And now I get to do that every day.
What excites you about a sector you’re focused on?
In the last six years I’ve met hundreds of social companies trying to solve human connection problems. These companies are trying to fill a human behavioral need that is not currently being met. Those same questions they’re asking—Why are we lonely? How do we play and find joy? What type of connection is enduringly valuable to people?—are ones that I’m deeply curious about, and are conveniently representative of massive opportunities.
Any hidden talents?
I have a strong bakery radar. Put me in a new city and I’ll be able to find a great bakery very quickly. It’s genetic.
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“So many things have to go right for a company to be successful. Having relationships grounded in trust and respect among the team, with the board, and with lead investors is crucial.”
