Ellie McDonald

Ellie draws on a decade of infrastructure and technology investing experience as well as her systems engineering background to support exceptional entrepreneurs building the next generation of frontier technology companies. Prior to joining Bison, Ellie was an investor at G2 Venture Partners, where she focused on growth-stage climate tech companies. Before coming out to the Bay, she began her career in NYC, first in Barclays' Power & Utilities Group and then at Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, where she developed deep expertise across energy, infrastructure, and project finance. When not hunting for the next breakthrough company, Ellie can be found on the ski slopes, at a stand-up comedy show, or watching sports. As a proud DC native, she follows the Nationals, Commanders, and Wizards with stubborn optimism. Ellie holds a B.S.E. in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton, a Master's in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.B.A. from Wharton. g2vp+2

She has a strong foundation in both technical and financial disciplines, holding a B.S.E. in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton University (graduating cum laude with the Sigma Xi Book Award for Outstanding Research), a Master's in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Wharton. This dual expertise in engineering and business informs her investment approach. g2vp+2

Prior to her current role, Ellie gained significant experience in private equity at Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, focusing on energy and telecommunication sectors, and in investment banking at Barclays, specializing in power and utilities. This experience has provided her with a deep understanding of traditional industries and the potential for their transformation through technology. g2vp+2

While at Wharton, she hosted "The Wharton Current" podcast, where she engaged with various founders and investors on topics related to energy efficiency, climate technology, and venture capital, demonstrating her ability to lead discussions and extract insights from industry experts. podbay+1