Jillian loves working with passionate individuals who are obsessed with the problems and inefficiencies that face our society. Jillian is a fintech nerd and loves to explore the intersection of financial technology and all other sectors. She spends her time across B2B and B2C fintech, and vertical SaaS more broadly.
Prior to joining Cowboy, Jillian was an investor at Anthemis, an early-stage fintech focused venture firm, focused across North America and Europe. Jillian worked closely with companies across the spectrum of fintech such as Pipe, Power, Maxwell, and Truelayer. She also led the launch of the Female Innovators Lab, Anthemis’ venture studio in partnership with Barclays that supports female founders.
Jillian graduated from Yale with a BA in Economics. She also serves as the head of BLCK VC NYC, the NY arm of BLCK VC, a non-profit with the goal of doubling the number of Black investors by 2024.
Jillian was Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2022, Crain's New York 40 Under 40 in 2021, and listed as VCs to know in NY by Business Insider.
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What was the first concert you went to?
My first concert was an NSYNC one which had Pink opening for them. I fell in love with Pink that day and have been to 3 more of her concerts since then.
What’s one thing people are often surprised to learn about you?
Two things come to mind. 1. I was a tour guide in Shanghai for the World Expo Fair in 2010. 2. I played the drums for 10 years growing up (to the dismay of every other person in my NYC apartment building).
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I love working with founders to help their vision come true. Founders that have strong theses on what’s broken or what is needed energize me and being able to support them, even in the smallest way is what makes me love venture capital.