Zeal Capital Announces Stefanie Thomas-Martin as Partner After She Led $50M Fund

Venture capital firm Zeal Capital Partners has announced the promotion of Stefanie Thomas-Martin to Partner.

As Partner, Thomas-Martin will play a critical role in executing the firm’s portfolio strategy across all investment mandates. She will also serve on the firm’s Investment Committee alongside Managing Partner Nasir Qadree.

How Stefanie Thomas-Martin Transitioned to Partner

Thomas-Martin was hired in 2023 to lead Zeal Capital’s Barclays Black Formation Investment (BBFI) vehicle, a $50 million pre-seed pool of capital that bolsters its Inclusive Investing™ strategy. 

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In this capacity, she pioneered the firm’s inaugural scout program to train the next generation of diverse venture capitalists. Furthermore, under her leadership, the team continues to execute the BBFI strategy, screening over 1,000 companies and deploying capital, pre-seed companies first institutional allocation.

“Stefanie has consistently demonstrated a commitment to our mission and values, a remarkable investment track record that aligns with our mandate,” said Nasir Qadree, founder and managing partner of Zeal Capital, in the firm’s press release.

Responding to the appointment, Thomas-Martin wrote on her Linkedin page, “This is such a big milestone for me, and I can’t help but reflect on all of the incredible people, lessons, and experiences leading up to this. I couldn’t be more grateful for my journey and this incredible opportunity. A heartfelt thank you to Nasir Qadree and the entire Zeal Capital Partners team for their trust, support, and collaboration. I’m honored to take on this role alongside such a talented team – advancing a vision I believe so deeply in.”

Qadree stated that Thomas-Martin will continue to lead the BFFI strategy in her new role as partner. In addition, she will help Qadree maintain the execution of their investment strategies, build the firm’s brand, attract notable entrepreneurs, and position the firm for future capital raises. She’s also joining the Investment Committee as a member across all mandates.

Stefanie Thomas-Martin’s Career Trajectory

Before joining Zeal Capital, Thomas-Martin launched her venture capital career as an early-stage investor at Impact America Fund (IAF). Impact America Fund (IAF) is an institutional venture capital firm that grew from $7M to $110M AUM, with a thesis to drive economic power to communities of color.

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As IAF’s first employee, Stefanie played a pivotal role in the firm’s earliest Series-A investments, including one led by Andreessen Horowitz. As a Founding Member & Investor at IAF, Thomas-Martin led sourcing, ecosystem building, and deal leadership on 25 financings, spanning pre-seed to Series B.

Before her venture capital journey, Thomas-Martin was a Vice President in Citigroup’s global banking division, managing a $2 billion portfolio of short-term financings for the firm’s export finance and trade businesses. 

The Washington-based investor holds an MBA from the Ross School at the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.