Don was a native of North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapell Hill. He returned to UNC to pursue an MBA after a period working in public accounting, and was honored with the Richard H. Jenrette Fellowship. His career took him to New York, where he started in banking and later transitioned into corporate strategy and finance. His leadership and expertise led him to serve as CEO, CFO, and COO of several venture-backed businesses.
Don had a special place in his heart for his time as CEO at Critical Mention, a media intelligence company based in NYC, and for Activate Venture Partners where he ultimately became a General Partner and CFO, serving on the boards of several of our holdings.
Don was recognized with numerous awards, including CFO of the Year by the Northern Virginia Technology Council and Entrepreneurial Advocate of the Year by Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Tech Ventures. While he was a dedicated businessman, he always viewed work as much more than a job. It was an avenue for personal growth, learning, and most importantly, building relationships. Don cherished the bonds he formed with colleagues and clients, always eager to mentor and encourage others throughout his career.
Don was a man of deep faith, a talented musician, and a devoted husband and father to his two sons. He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege to know and work with him.