Sallie Jian

Sallie Jian is a prominent figure in the venture capital and corporate innovation space, currently serving as the Director and Head of Ventures North America at Diageo, a leading global spirits company.3 In this role, which she assumed in May 2023, Sallie oversees Diageo's venture capital activities in North America, including minority investments, partnerships, joint ventures, and Distill Ventures.23

Professional Background

Prior to joining Diageo, Sallie had an impressive career in the tech and venture capital sectors:

• She was the Director and Head of SAP.iO New York, the corporate venture and innovation arm of SAP, from March 2018 to May 2023.3
• She worked as a Vice President at SeedInvest, leading the Venture Capital team from 2016 to March 2018.3
• Sallie held the position of CFO and Head of Business Development at Savile Row Society, a men's e-commerce startup.1
• She began her career in financial services at Morgan Stanley Technology Investment Banking in Silicon Valley and General Atlantic in New York City.1

Education and Recognition

Sallie graduated from the Haas Business Program at UC Berkeley.1 Her expertise and contributions to the field have earned her several recognitions:

• She has been recognized by CNBC & America on Tech as a leader in Venture Capital.1
• Sallie was named one of the Top 50 Women Transforming FinTech by NYC Women in Fintech.1

Current Responsibilities at Diageo

At Diageo Ventures, Sallie's role includes:

• Overseeing venture capital activities in North America
• Managing minority investments, partnerships, and joint ventures
• Supervising Distill Ventures in North America
• Serving as a board observer, advisor, and director for various portfolio companies3

Sallie is actively involved in identifying and investing in best-in-class consumer brands and innovations, driving the future of the beverage industry.4 Her expertise spans various sectors, including customer experience, sustainability, HR & future of work, supply chain, health & wellness, and Web3.3