Stefanie Thomas

Managing Director
2023
At the helm of one of the largest partnerships to drive capital across the ecosystem into Black-led teams at the pre-seed level. Barclays Black Formation Investments. We are committed to propelling the next generation of Black-led companies while empowering leaders who will shape the future of venture investing.

2015 - 2022

Founding Member & VC, Early Stage Investments
2015 - 2022
Working to discover, support and build a network of phenomenal entrepreneurs who see a better vision for our country (and the world) through the impact they make on underserved communities in America.

2015 - 2016

Co-founder, Partnerships + Programming
2015 - 2016
A co-founder of Quarterback Impact (qtrback.org) with a focus on partnerships and programming in order to better match an increasing number of business professionals with social sector opportunities that drive impact for some of the most innovative nonprofits in the US

2014 - 2014

Fellow & Business Advisor
2014 - 2014
Traveled over 6,000 miles across the continental US by car with three other MBAs to work on business challenges for American entrepreneurs who are making a local impact in their communities. Over six weeks, our travels landed us in Montana, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Our projects included cost production modeling for a biodynamic winery and a hibiscus tea beverage company, go-to-market strategy and IP law research for a leather craftsman of working dog collars, and a logistics and shipping costs analysis for a subscription box gourmet food company. Featured as Team Detroit co-star for Headline News’s (CNN/HLN) “Growing America” six-episode docu-series (2014).

2014 - 2014

Business Development
2014 - 2014
Developed, executed, and presented market and customer research on a new product line for a Tech Stars-backed fitness mobile app company. Customized analytics reporting for three eight-week pilot programs that quantified user activity, assessed user trends through real-time data, and created a feedback loop to engineers for product enhancements. Presented go-to-market strategic recommendations for CEO & COO based on customer segmentation, competitive landscape, market sizing, distribution channel options and branding/marketing considerations.

2013 - 2013

Strategy Consultant
2013 - 2013
Researched leading online undergraduate recruiting platforms and business models to develop suggested industry best practices. Presented formal strategy recommendation to Co-founder & Executive President on suggested enhancements to proprietary platform that will impact several hundred underrepresented minority students.

2011 - 2013

Founding Member, Strategic Engagement
2011 - 2013
Joined forces with current Executive President to officially launch non-profit in late 2011 as a mechanism to provide high school students within underserved communities in Brooklyn, NY with access to college prep, career exploration, financial literary, leadership development, and mentorship. As Strategic Engagement Director, co-arranged inaugural professional enrichment program by leveraging NY high school partnerships and developed strategic alliance with technology start-up to expose program fellows to entrepreneurial careers. Also, worked to launch fundraising campaign and informational initiatives to kick-off program expansion to the Mid-Atlantic region.

2007 - 2013

Vice President, Export Trade Finance
2007 - 2013
Oversaw and structured secondary market syndications for North America's $2 billion dollar portfolio, primarily across Technology, Telecomm, Media, and Retail for Fortune 100 companies. This included negotiating legal contracts with domestic and international financial institutional for the purchase and sell of credit assets, managing a small cross-functional team, and building out distribution processes across product, sales, legal, middle and back office staff members.

Managing Director @ Zeal Capital Partners | Barclays Black Formation Investments (#BBFI)