Gisel Kordestani

Gisel Kordestani is a prominent tech entrepreneur and social impact leader, best known as the co-founder and former COO/CEO of Crowdpac, a crowdfunding platform designed to empower small-dollar donors in political campaigns. She has a background in management consulting and spent over eight years at Google in senior roles focused on global finance and new business development.

Professional Background

Crowdpac: Co-founded in 2013, Crowdpac aimed to democratize political fundraising by making it easier for candidates to connect with grassroots supporters. The platform utilizes data science to assess candidates' positions and funding sources, promoting transparency and accessibility in politics. Kordestani played a significant role in launching the platform and guiding its mission until its sale in late 2019.1 3 5
Leadership Roles: Kordestani is a founding member of Leadership Now, an organization dedicated to protecting democracy in the U.S. She previously served as Chairman of the Board for Mercy Corps, overseeing significant strategic transformations during her tenure.1 4
Education: She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree in international affairs from the American University in Paris.1 3

Contributions and Impact

Kordestani's work extends beyond Crowdpac; she is involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing civic engagement and supporting women in leadership. Together with her husband, she established the Gisel and Omid Kordestani Research Fund at Harvard Business School to promote research on gender issues in leadership.2

Additionally, she has been active in film production, focusing on narratives related to Gaza, reflecting her commitment to social change through multiple avenues.1 3

Gisel Kordestani's career exemplifies a blend of technology, entrepreneurship, and social advocacy, making her a notable figure in both the tech industry and civic engagement spheres.