July 2025 was a significant month for us at Ecosystem Venture Group, as our CEO, Brianna McDonald, officially joined the Board of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the leading voice of angel investors in the United States. With a mission to empower investors, strengthen innovation, and shape policy that fuels economic growth, the ACA plays a vital role in advancing the early-stage investment community.
To mark this exciting achievement, we sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Brianna to hear her thoughts on the ACA’s mission, her vision as a newly appointed board member, and how education, advocacy, and collaboration continue to strengthen the early-stage investment ecosystem.
Q1. Brianna, congratulations on joining the Angel Capital Association Board! To start, could you explain to readers what the ACA is, what it does, and why its mission is so important for the angel investment community?
The Angel Capital Association is essentially the backbone of the early-stage investment community. While most of its members are angel groups, it also brings in small funds and other capital sources that fuel the growth of startups across the country.
At its core, the ACA aims to be both a steward and a catalyst. It brings together people, knowledge, and resources to strengthen the angel investing ecosystem. Its mission is to drive innovation and economic growth by supporting investors that are supporting entrepreneurship in their communities.
The association focuses heavily on policy, education, and thought leadership, creating spaces where investors can learn from one another and share best practices. Running an angel group is no small feat, and the ACA really provides that structure and support to help them thrive. Personally, I’ve been part of the ACA for many years, and their educational programs have been invaluable. I’ve brought many of those insights back to Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies, where they’ve helped us strengthen our own investor network and processes.
Q2. How do you envision contributing to the ACA Board’s strategic direction and initiatives?
In terms of initiative, the ACA has a lot in motion right now, including its upcoming summit in Denver in April 2026. I’m excited to contribute to the event through thought leadership and help enhance how we engage people through events. At Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies, we host over 200 events a year, so I understand what it takes to make gatherings meaningful and memorable.
Personally, I’m excited to get involved in public policy. Many angels don’t realize that ACA is actively advocating for their rights to invest freely, to diversify, and to support innovation that drives economic development. Because early-stage investing is such a niche space, many policymakers have never invested in early-stage companies and do not understand the impact we as early-stage investor have on our innovation economy. If we do not have a seat at the table, we will be on the menu. The ACA supports us in this important work in Washington DC.
Q3. Policy and advocacy are important to ACA’s mission. Can you share some examples of current policy priorities and how they directly impact angel investors nationwide?
Ultimately, ACA’s advocacy helps protect the flow of early-stage capital, ensuring innovation in this country continues to thrive.
One major win for the angel community this year was the expansion of Section 1202, which supports investors who are taking the risk early on in a company’s growth to receive tax exemptions on gains from qualified exits. The new legislation introduced a stair-step approach, extending those benefits at higher thresholds – a meaningful incentive for early investors.
Q4. Beyond advocacy, ACA also focuses heavily on education and community-building. How do initiatives like Angel University or other ACA programs help angels become better investors and partners for entrepreneurs?
There’s an old saying: the best way to learn is through doing. I’ve learned through experience and mistakes, but the ACA provides investors with the opportunity to get educated before making an investment.
Through Angel University, investors can learn about cap tables, convertible notes, board governance, and deal evaluation. These are skills that are foundational to success. I always tell new investors to observe for six months before writing their first check because everything looks great from a pitch deck. Education helps you see beneath the surface.
Beyond that, ACA’s programming and events, like the annual summit, create space for connection. Every ecosystem operates differently, and the more we learn from each other, the stronger we become as a national community. Knowledge is power, and ACA helps ensure that angels have access to credible, unbiased information that keeps them on the cutting edge.
Q5. Looking ahead, what do you hope to personally contribute to ACA’s mission?
Anyone who knows me knows I’m passionate and a truth-teller. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s necessary. I believe in being kind rather than simply nice—and that sometimes means challenging old norms.
I want to bring a fresh perspective to the ACA Board. One that challenges assumptions and encourages evolution. The investment landscape is changing rapidly, leveraging technology to reshape how we evaluate deals and conduct due diligence. My goal is to ensure that the ACA continues to adapt, support its members, and remain a leader in the early-stage investment ecosystem. Growth requires new ideas, and I’m committed to being a voice that helps move the conversation forward.
Q6. You also recently became the CEO of Ecosystem Venture Group. How are you balancing these two exciting leadership roles, and what excites you most about the future of angel investing in the U.S.?
At Ecosystem Venture Group, our goal is to be a trusted source for entrepreneurs. A place where they can understand the realities of the market, position themselves effectively, and grow sustainably. There’s a lot of poor advice out there, and I see our role as helping founders cut through that noise.
I am well-positioned to offer perspectives to both investors and entrepreneurs, having worked closely with them in my capacity as President of Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies. I’ve personally invested in 40 companies and helped facilitate over $400 million into 600 ventures over the past eight years. That dual experience helps me see how deeply interconnected both sides are.
My long-term hope is to help fix what many describe as a “broken” venture system by encouraging collaboration and respect between investors at different stages, rather than competition.
If I can be remembered as someone who helped bring truth and balance back into venture investing, I’ll consider that a success.
