Katelyn Donnelly
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Hello and Welcome

 

Katelyn is an investor and entrepreneur. Katelyn is the founder and Managing Director of Avalanche VC, an early-stage venture firm investing early in technology companies that transform how people learn, earn, and own.

Previously, she was co-founder and Director at Delivery Associates, the leading public sector advisory firm implementing technology and large-scale reform worldwide. She served on the board until the company partnered with a private equity firm in November 2022.

Constantly curious, she has invested in companies, funds, and founders building behind massive trends that are obviously the future. Katelyn grew up in Minneapolis and is frequently found in Austin and New York City. She has lived and worked globally, including in London, San Francisco, Seattle, Lagos, and Lahore.

In 2012, she co-founded and served as the Managing Director of Pearson Ventures (prior PALF), a $65M venture fund that invests in global EdTech companies. At Pearson, Katelyn invested in and served on the board of SPARK Schools, APEC Schools, Avanti, HarukaEDU, and Omega Schools. She also co-founded the Global Schools Forum, a trade organization for private schools in emerging markets. Katelyn also led the strategy and implementation of Pearson’s efficacy agenda and was on the founding team of the FT125 Club, a division of the Financial Times.

Katelyn started as a consultant at McKinsey & Company in San Francisco, serving technology companies and large financial institutions. She worked on the sustainability of credit markets with the World Economic Forum and presented at the Annual Meeting in Davos in 2011.

 

‘Let be be the finale of seem’

- Walace Stevens

 

Katelyn is a Kauffman Fellow - Class 21, was named to Corporate Venturing Power List, was recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2014, and was named a ‘Rising Star in Venture Capital’ in 2022 by Venture Capital Journal.

She is a frequent author and has published essays on economics, education, innovation, venture capital, corporate governance, and government policy that have been translated into over five languages and distributed worldwide. Katelyn writes a weekly newsletter called Declarative Statements and muses periodically on trends that are Obviously The Future.

She graduated from Duke University with high distinction in economics. Katelyn is now a member of Duke University's Learning Innovation Advisory Council, helping Duke imagine the future of on-campus and online learning.

Katelyn loves skiing, appreciating beautiful design, and reading. She is learning web development, the art of letterpress and printmaking, and kite surfing.

 

Please always be in touch.