Howdy, Partner

What does it mean to “make Partner”? Venture capital firms, like law and accounting firms, have a Partner track. It’s a level that ambitious team members aspire to, reflecting hard work, shared values and contributing to the firm’s success. At Active Impact, what it takes to become a Partner is something we’ve thought carefully about over the years, because it shapes who we hire, how we train and when we promote.

Our criteria starts with achieving competence in the five jobs we believe are essential to running a venture capital firm: raise capital, deploy capital, post-investment support, manage internal operations and manage external partnerships. We offer full exposure so every team member understands the whole system and how each part supports the rest.

But what truly sets someone apart is how they show up: with judgment, accountability and real ownership. Partners don’t just drive outcomes—they elevate others, and make decisions with the long-term health of the firm in mind. In short, Partners act like owners before they become owners.

We’ve also come to appreciate that strong partnerships aren’t built by duplicating the same skill set. Sophie has consistently exceeded the bar across the core work, and she brings distinctive strengths that make all of us better. Her leadership shows up in how we think, how we operate and the standard we hold ourselves to as a team.

It’s completely clear to Tom, Sam, and Mike that Active Impact is stronger because of Sophie. We’re proud and excited to welcome her into the partnership!