Deborah Walden Email and Phone Number

Advise clients in business development and growth strategies, strategic planning, board development, and the design and implementation of innovative initiatives and fundraising campaigns. Skilled at helping founders navigate the early startup and launch phases of new ventures and nonprofit organizations.

As Senior Partner, I focused on growth and fund development for all AV Alumni & Focused Funds, and building community and connectivity with our investors and community members. I raised over $25M from retail venture investors in support of 1,000+ portfolio companies, and helped develop and launch new funds including the Total Access Fund, Global, Growth, HealthTech, AI, Blockchain and Impact funds. Alumni Ventures is one of the most active venture firms in the US and globally, as per Pitch book.

Brought on to guide the founding team through the initial startup and launch phase of a new social impact venture to create an inclusive and modernized model of STEM-based higher education with an emphasis on gender equity, underrepresented minorities, and students from traditionally under-served communities, founded by Dr. Christine Ortiz, MIT Professor Materials Science and former Dean for Graduate Education. Set up infrastructure for operations, communications, and business development. Secured initial funding. Assisted founding team in development of marketing and communications materials, including pitch decks and website content. Accompanied founder to pitch meetings with family offices, impact investors and high net worth individuals in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, New York, Boston, etc. Exceeded first-year fundraise goals, including initial funding from one of Google’s earliest employees, and negotiated structure and terms of gifts.

Provided innovative leadership to refine the vision and strategic direction of the organization. Developed organization budgets, identified and successfully solicited new revenue sources, and doubled the organizational budget over five years, with revenue exceeding projections each year. Oversaw partitioning of c3 and c4 organizations and activities. Initiated and led meetings with major foundations including the Ford Foundation which resulted in the largest grant in organizational history.

Worked with Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, University Librarian, and faculty to identify needs and gift opportunities for the UNH Foundation. Solicited and closed gifts ranging from $50K-$500K and negotiated the close of a $1M gift within first six months of employment. Authored sections of successful proposal for $7.5M gift establishing the Carsey Institute to provide policymakers and practitioners with public policy research and resources on families and communities. Assisted with completion of a $100M capital campaign more than two years ahead of schedule - the largest campaign in the University's history at that time.

Developed organization policies and programs in conjunction with executive director and national boards of c3 and c4 organizations. Lobbied Members of Congress and congressional staff, as well as White House and Administration officials, Ambassadors and foreign dignitaries on foreign affairs and national security policy. Chaired the Budget Priorities Working Group, a national coalition of 30 organizations working on federal budget policy; coordinated joint programs and initiatives at state, national, and international levels to engage constituents and influence policymakers and opinion-leaders. Participated in Capitol Hill press conferences alongside Members of Congress.

Managed all aspects of the design and facilitation of senior executive professional education seminars for corporate executives, government relations professionals, and federal agency officials. Clients included the National Security Agency, Department of Defense, Federal Regulatory Agency and others. Secured high-level speakers including current and former Members of Congress, senior White House staff, former directors of the Central Intelligence Agency, national news correspondents and corporate executives. Worked with marketing and design teams to develop collateral materials and marketing plans. Authored training manuals on Lobbying Congress and the Federal Budget Process.

Staffed Senator Howell Heflin (AL) on the Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice. Represented the Senator in meetings with constituents and lobbyists. One of four staffing the Senator during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings (chaired by Senator Joe Biden), including the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice nominees Robert Bork, Douglas Ginsburg, and Anthony Kennedy.