Danielle is a co-founder and general partner of 1517, an angel and preseed venture capital fund that focuses on investing in technology startups founded by dropouts, renegade students, and sci-fi scientists. The fund supports and empowers individuals who may not fit the traditional education or career paths with investment and grant dollars.
Danielle has been an advocate for self-directed learning and alternative education models. Prior to 1517, in 2010 she was on the founding team of the Thiel Fellowship alongside Peter Thiel, where she assumed leadership responsibilities for its design and operations. She also founded and served as the director of Innovations Academy in San Diego. This K-8 charter school caters to 400 students and emphasizes student-led project-based learning, along with other alternative educational programs.
