Welcome, Alexis Zamira Maciel!
Our newest Investment Analyst
We are so excited to announce Alexis has joined the Unshackled VC team as an investment analyst. She joins us after spending time as business development associate at Max Borges Agency, a consumer tech communications firm in Miami. Our team was impressed with Alexis from our first conversations when it became clear to us how thoughtful, analytical and creative she is. We can’t wait for her to start supporting founders with her marketing and communication experience, a part of company building that is more important everyday.
A bit about Alexis
Adaptability was an early lesson for Alexis, having grown up in a small town outside of Guadalajara, Mexico to then moving to the Bay Area at the age of ten. She credits that early movement for her ability to jump into any new situation with confidence. Alexis’ interest in entrepreneurship stemmed from her understanding at a very early age what it meant to build from zero.
“While the entrepreneurs I grew up around weren’t building the most sophisticated tech companies, they showed the strength, courage, and hustle it took to become successful, and like many immigrant families, did so without any help.”
That early exposure to the challenges immigrant entrepreneurs face in this country, fueled her desire to ensure that today’s founders receive more support.
Alexis received a BA in International Relations & Development from American University with minors in Economics and Portuguese. During her time in D.C. Alexis interned with international business advisory firm McLarty Associates, the Department of Justice, and on Capitol Hill.
Following graduation, Alexis traveled to Brazil as a recipient of the Department of States Critical Language Scholarship, working at Brazil’s top tech incubator, ACATE, while taking language and innovation courses at the University of South Santa Catarina.
The Unshackled team first met Alexis when she was selected to join the inaugural LatinxVC Fellowship in 2021. The Fellowship is focused on early career professionals aiming to break into VC. Speakers from the industry and the LatinxVC community taught different core topics on what it takes to do the job.
Joining Unshackled, Alexis is especially excited to support change-making Latinx founders.
What excites you the most about joining Unshackled?
Definitely the synergies I see between who I am as an individual and how the team has conducted the fund — It gives me a lot of excitement about the work ahead and the investor I hope to become. As a GenZ, Mexican-American, Latina, I bring a lot of different perspectives to the investing landscape, and so does the rest of the team. Having the opportunity to join a fund that I know values those perspectives, understands on a more meaningful level my lived experiences in this country, and vice versa, lends itself to an even more committed team atmosphere. We all share a common goal of investing in founders that will drive impact and support the numerous communities we believe in. This unique blend of perspectives is a force to be reckoned with.
What have you geeked out about recently?
It’s been amazing to get to know and watch the incredible community of women in crypto and women-led community leaders over the past few months. Some of the coolest, smartest, and badass people! I hope to continue to meet and support these women moving forward.
What skill would you like to learn?
- I want to learn how to translate the conviction I carry in my day to day life into my investment decision making. This comes with time, but is something I hope to learn and have already witnessed within the team.
- 2022 is the year I become quadrilingual, with French being my next focus language.
What is your life motto?
Adaptability gives rise to flexibility and the opportunity for success amidst change.
One of my favorite quotes:
“Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres”
“Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are” — every Mexican mom ever
How can people get in touch with you?
You can reach me via email: alexis@unshackledvc.com or connect via LinkedIn and Twitter :)
