Erin Shipley is a Los Angeles-based venture investor, traveler, and amateur gardener with an impressive background in finance and entrepreneurship. She is a Founding Partner of The Helm, a venture fund and investment community known for its excellent support for female-led innovation. Erin managed the Helm Fund I, which invested in eleven early-stage, high-growth technology companies led by female CEOs across various sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, commerce, and connected hardware. Before launching The Helm, Erin worked for Karlin Ventures, another prominent seed, and series A funding company. Here, Erin was part of the investment team responsible for investing mainly in enterprise software, marketplaces, and commerce technologies.

Erin is a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where she studied BSE Entrepreneurship and Emerging Market Economic Development. She also served as an Analyst - MENA at Deutsche Bank's Middle East headquarters in Dubai, where she developed her skills for financial product structuring. After gaining her experience at Deutsche Bank and The Weinstein Company, where she developed strategic initiatives across film, television, music, and digital groups, Erin ventured into venture capitalism with Karlin Ventures.

Apart from her work commitments, Erin serves on the Associates Board for Teach for America and on the Investment Committee for the USC Venture Fund. She is also a scout at The Collective Scout Fund and a former COO at LOOM. Her journey in the venture capital sector and academic excellence inspires young women who aspire to excel in the same field.