Himalaya Rao-Potlapally
The BFM Fund
Portland, OR USA
"We all, regardless of what our current socioeconomic status is, have lessons that we can offer."
Career Roadmap
Himalaya's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Business, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Human Development
Binghamton University
Graduate Degree
Social Work
Adelphi University
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management
Willamette University
Certification
Venture Finance, Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law
University of California, Berkeley
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in social and racial justice, which eventually led me to social work.
2.
I loved my clients as a social worker, but I felt limited in how much I could help and wanted to get to the root of issues instead of treating symptoms.
3.
My wife and I moved to Oregon and got our MBAs, not knowing much about where they would lead us.
4.
I got into venture capital after earning my MBA and began learning finance as I went, without seeing many people in the field who looked like me.
5.
As I grew in venture capital, I eventually raised my own fund to invest in entrepreneurs and businesses with the potential for sustainable growth.
6.
Around the racial justice awakening following George Floyd’s murder, I saw how class shaped who was getting opportunities in finance and knew we needed a wider approach.
7.
I started Venture Partners to train people from low- and middle-socioeconomic backgrounds in finance and open up more paths into the field.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I don't belong in finance.
How I responded:
When I entered finance, I felt like I didn't belong because of my socioeconomic class and financial situation. I felt like I shouldn't say much and if I did, I needed to assimilate to the dominant language and say it in the most polished way possible. But I've learned that it's important that more people from different classes and backgrounds get into finance. Anyone can become an educator in this space. Don't let anyone tell you that you're not smart enough, well off enough, or educated enough.