TLDR:
- Nicole Quinn, a VC Partner at Lightspeed Ventures, left Morgan Stanley after being chastised for crying when her boss left for Goldman Sachs.
- She found her true calling in venture capital, where she could be her authentic self and help founders emotionally.
Nicole Quinn, a general partner at Lightspeed Ventures, shared her journey from working at Morgan Stanley to finding her true calling in the venture capital industry. Quinn joined Morgan Stanley in 2006, but after being reprimanded for crying when her boss left for Goldman Sachs, she decided to leave the investment banking world behind. This experience led her to venture capital, where she felt she could be her authentic self and provide emotional support to founders.
Quinn highlighted the differences in values between investment banking and venture capital, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence in the latter industry. While investment banking has made efforts to address mental health concerns among junior employees, Quinn believes that the culture in venture capital is more supportive and conducive to long-term career growth.
She also mentioned that rising through the ranks in venture capital is achievable without necessarily starting as a partner, providing opportunities for individuals to build their careers in the industry. Quinn’s story serves as a testament to the shift in career preferences away from traditional banking roles towards more innovative and emotionally fulfilling opportunities in venture capital.
