Himalaya Rao-Potlapally

Himalaya Rao-Potlapally is a prominent figure in the venture capital space, currently serving as the Executive Director at Venture Partners Fund.1 Her career has been marked by diverse experiences and achievements in entrepreneurship, consulting, and leadership roles.

Professional Experience

Himalaya has a rich background in various sectors:

Entrepreneurship:: She co-founded and served as CEO of CarBar, a marketing service connecting local businesses with new customers through pop-up events, from October 2017 to August 2020.1

Consulting:: Himalaya has worked as a management consultant for non-profit organizations and as a change management consultant for the State of Oregon.1

Corporate Leadership:: She held the position of Executive Team Leader at Target, where she drove front-end sales of $2 million while leading a team of managers and employees.1

Education and Certifications

Himalaya's educational background includes:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Willamette University
• Master of Social Work (MSW) from Adelphi University
• Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Binghamton University1

She also holds a Certificate in Venture Finance from Venture Forward.1

Achievements and Recognition

Himalaya has received notable recognition in her field:

• Named in the "40 under 40" list by Portland Business Journal in July 20211
• Recognized as a "Women in VC: Rising Star" by Venture Forward: National Venture Capital Association in March 20221

Current Focus

In her role at Venture Partners Fund, Himalaya is actively involved in:

• Promoting diversity in venture capital, as evidenced by her participation in the 2022 VC Include Fellowship4
• Supporting and advocating for Black-owned businesses and BIPOC entrepreneurs23
• Mentoring and guiding aspiring venture capitalists5

Himalaya is known for her commitment to diversifying the venture capital industry and supporting underrepresented founders. Her LinkedIn profile (username: himalayarao) showcases her ongoing involvement in various initiatives and her passion for driving change in the VC ecosystem.