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Since starting her work in venture capital eight years ago, Stephanie Malkowski has become a towering example of success in the VC operations space. Entrepreneurial, independent and loyal, she is unquestionably a model for anyone seeking to shine in their role.
Stephanie may have kicked off her career in private equity, but she long had her eye on the opportunities venture capital has to offer. She saw VC as less traditional than other financial industries, offering more growth opportunities for ambitious women. The industry, she says, allows people with degrees in other fields to climb the career ladder, rising to the top based on talent and initiative.
“Venture capital presented the chance to earn your stripes and maximize your potential,” she says. “Not everyone needs an MBA to add value to the company.”
So in 2013, when Stephanie felt she'd outgrown her position with the private equity firm, she was ready to make the leap to VC. “I was looking for a dynamic role with more complex responsibilities, where I could add value and learn new skills,” she says.
She wanted to work at a small firm that had few employees so she could learn the ins and outs of the business by sheer necessity. “I could then find where I added the most value and best serve the needs of the company by trying out all the roles,” she says.
Lightning struck when a recruiter alerted her about a position at Baseline Ventures. The job checked all of Stephanie’s boxes, including the opportunity to work closely with the general partner. Baseline GP and founder Steven Anderson decided to hire her quickly after their first meeting. “Deciding to work with Baseline is the best decision I’ve ever made,” Stephanie says.
"Stephanie’s relentless focus on process betterment and efficiency has significantly helped us deliver top venture returns quite consistently over the past decade. Her peerless skills and friendly demeanor allow me to do what I do best and continue to deliver results. She’s invaluable."
— Steve Anderson, Founder, Baseline Ventures
Baseline staff works remotely, in an autonomous work environment that Stephanie has come to love. She’s an ace at sourcing solutions to tough problems independently, and if it ever seems like she’s going to hit a dead-end in those efforts, she doesn’t take no for an answer.
Stephanie brings her solution-oriented style to managing an outsourced team consisting of an administrative assistant, financial reporting team, attorneys, and auditors. Though the team is small, with Stephanie’s help they are able to move mountains. “I’m still in awe of how much we accomplish with so few people,” she says.
A small office has other benefits. Working with one general partner ensures that Stephanie’s brain gets a lot of exercise. “There is no red tape when a sole GP runs the firm. The ability to effectively strategize, communicate and make decisions quickly is crucial for a two-person team to deliver results,” she says. “Steve is a master. I learn from him every day and it’s exciting to watch investments and exits come together.”
An independent, self-motivated approach to projects is expected at Baseline, and Stephanie does not shy away. She feels a sense of ownership in her role, which allows for an immense amount of growth and exploration. She dives into every aspect of the business so she can fully understand the mechanics. “If I can do it, it becomes my responsibility. If I don’t know it, then I learn it and own it,” she says.
Baseline offers a challenging environment, but Stephanie is adaptable and nimble, and works quickly to rise to those challenges. “Extraordinary things happen just about every week here. No two days are the same,” she says.
Outside of work, Stephanie is passionate about travel. “I’ve planned 30 years’ worth of vacations during COVID,” she says. In the meantime, she enjoys getting to know Portland, Oregon, where she moved two years ago. In addition to being an urban and global explorer, she’s an avid runner and a lover of good food and wine.
When the COVID-19 pandemic fades and Stephanie can finally take her long awaited vacations, she can do so knowing the systems she’s built at Baseline will run smoothly and successfully while she enjoys a much deserved break.
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Let’s Talk Ops (LTO) is a community of first-class operators powering some of the most successful venture capital firms in the world from behind the scenes. We provide connective tissue, mentorship, and tactical support to help members execute at top form across the many verticals they manage inside their funds. LTO also provides high-powered professional development to assist members with career navigation and to ensure the best talent stays. In that vein, we’ve launched our LTO Member Spotlights, aimed to elevate the visibility of VC operator contributions to the venture ecosystem at large.
