Elizabeth Clarkson

Current

Director at Draper Fisher Jurvetson

Past

Investment Manager at Omidyar Network
Business Manager, Consumer PC Global Business Division at Hewlett Packard
General Manager, Partner Companies at LC39 VC

Senior Management Consultant at Towers Perrin
Financial Analyst at Morgan Stanley

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Education

Harvard Business School
Wesleyan University

Recommended

1 person has recommended Elizabeth

Connections

462 connections

Industry

Venture Capital & Private Equity

Websites

Elizabeth Clarkson’s Summary

Business executive with experience ranging from managing a global network of venture funds, direct investing in developing markets with a focus on early stage and enabling technologies and extensive business negotiations. Past professional experience includes emerging market investing for Omidyar Network, business development for HP's Consumer PC Divison as well as management consulting and global infrastructure work as an investment banker.

Elizabeth Clarkson’s Specialties:

Investing and working with venture funds around the world, investing in IT solutions for extending financial services in developing economies, business development, contract negotiation, strategy formulation and financial analysis.

Elizabeth Clarkson’s Experience

Director

Draper Fisher Jurvetson

(Privately Held; Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

May 2007 — Present (2 years 3 months)

Responsible for growing, managing and improving the DFJ Global Network of Partner Funds. The DFJ Network is a global network of 16 venture funds around the world representing over $6B of capital under managment, 140 investment professionals and covering 4 continents. Responsibilities include: driving expansion of the DFJ Network into new regions and sectors globally, managing all aspects of new Network venture fund partnership and vendor negotiations and implementing new platforms and operational means for strengthening the world class market knowledge and due diligence power of the DFJ Network.
Investment Manager

Omidyar Network

(Privately Held; Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

September 2005 — May 2007 (1 year 9 months)

I focused on investments that looked to increase individuals' access to financial services. This included both investing in funds as well as direct investing in companies (e.g., mobile business services, IT systems etc). A key focus was on investing in technologies and funds that support the microfinance industry with a focus on Asia, including India.

Board Representation:
PRBC - Board Member
World of Good - Board Observer
The Mix Market - Board Observer
Business Manager, Consumer PC Global Business Division

Hewlett Packard

(Public Company; HPQ; Computer Hardware industry)

June 2001 — August 2005 (4 years 3 months)

Responsible for sourcing, negotiating and executing large-scale, strategic alliances and distribution partnerships with marquis internet services companies (in ISP, Search and Security categories) for placement on HP desktop and notebooks globally. Delivered multi-million dollar gross margins annually. Managed business development and account manager team and provided global direction on key partnerships.
General Manager, Partner Companies

LC39 VC

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

2000 — 2001 (1 year)

Performed due diligence on potential investments. Managed strategic projects for select partner companies including acting VP of business development for one portfolio company (financial institution) that included:
• Developed new business strategy, competitive market analysis and technology solutions. Priced new solutions. Negotiated deals with both direct and reseller channels.
• Solicited VC investment on behalf of partner company
Senior Management Consultant

Towers Perrin

(Management Consulting industry)

1996 — 1998 (2 years)

Counseled clients on business strategy, management and organizational effectiveness.

Examples of Client Work:
• Investigated existing product applicability in international markets for a leading domestic financial institution. Researched macro-economic and political environments, including identified potential barriers to entry and areas of competitive advantage.
• Developed new business concept for a regional “super-bank.” Calculated return on investment; examined market potential and growth rates. Helped design and interpret focus group sessions.
• Designed sales force compensation plans for newly merged sales forces of a computer automated data collection company. Conducted over 50 sales force, technical support, management and executive interviews.
Financial Analyst

Morgan Stanley

(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Investment Banking industry)

1994 — 1996 (2 years)

Financial Analyst, Global Infrastructure Group

Developed valuation analysis, evaluated strategic issues and raised private placement funding for global infrastructure projects. Clients located in Indonesia, China, Japan, the Middle East and North America.
• Evaluated political, contractual, and economic viability of projects with a focus on the Middle East and Asia.
• Liaison between project stakeholders, The World Bank, commercial banks, rating agencies and ECA’s.

Financial Analyst, Media Group

Conducted financial analysis and due diligence, drafted SEC documents and internal commitment committee memos.

Elizabeth Clarkson’s Education

Harvard Business School

MBA , 1998 — 2000

Activities and Societies:

Master in Business Administration degree.

• Developed loyalty plan and analyzed customer life-time-value for online health care company (Fall 1999)

• Corporate Development internship for SoftBook Inc. (Summer 1999)

• Advised CEO of online travel and entertainment company on strategic business analysis (Spring 2000)
Wesleyan University

BA , Gov't Major, Int'l Relations Certificate , 1990 — 1994

Activities and Societies:

Bachelor of Arts degree in Government, concentration in International Political Economy.

- Awarded International Relations Certificate for cross discipline work in history, economics, government and foreign languages.

- Elected Chair of the Student Judicial Board.

- Elected President of Alpha Delta Phi.

- Selected to be a University of Chicago Business School Fellow.