Danielle Ullner is BCG Digital Ventures’ (BCGDV) lead for both utilities and sustainability across the Western Europe and South America (WESA) region. DV is Boston Consulting Group’s innovation, product development, venture, and commercialisation firm. Danielle joined BCGDV in early 2018, bringing 20 years’ experience as an advisor, investor, and operator in the venture capital/high tech ecosystem. Before joining the firm, she was an operating partner at PICO Partners, a leading early-stage venture capital fund headquartered in Israel. Danielle has held roles with Conduit (NASDAQ: PERI), Benchmark Capital (Tel Aviv), and Morgan Stanley.
She is a Fellow of the 2017 class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree with Distinction from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Management and her MBA from Harvard Business School.
1. Best piece of advice you’ve been given
“Enjoy the ride”
In my first year at Morgan Stanley, a Managing Director I worked with offered that piece of advice. She told me, that as very ambitious female I will constantly be eyeing my next promotion. It has served me well as often times I have got the raise and promotion and it has proven a bit anticlimactic. I’ve learned that I must surround myself with talented, fun, respectful people and enjoy my current position. I’ve found, if I don’t enjoy the current role, it’s highly unlikely I will find satisfaction in that new position (even if I do get a big title and promotion). And as I’ve learned from being a mom, the days are long but the years are short; so enjoy every minute of both your career (and personal life)!
2. Worst piece of advice you’ve been given
“I’m sure you won’t get seasick on this boat”
For as long as I can remember, I’ve suffered from motion sickness and I get seasick on ALL boats. So never a good idea to have a full-day business meeting on a boat despite whatever reassurances others in the team may offer.
3. What would you tell your younger self?
It will all be okay! Take a risk, if you fail you fail but at least you learnt something new about yourself and you won’t make the same mistake again. Don’t ever let fear hold you back!
4. What excites you most about the future of your industry?
At BCG Digital Ventures, innovation is at the heart of what we do as we help build businesses that disrupt, transform or accelerate digital growth. Given the global momentum and imperative to achieve net zero; unprecedented levels of innovation are required. The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how quickly and forcefully companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and governments can move when called to action. I’m eager to help bring the same parties together as we strive to make radical progress to combat climate change. It’s the biggest and most important challenge of our lifetime and it’s something I feel passionate about.
5. Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My two daughters motivate and inspire me daily. My spouse’s career has forced us to relocate every 2 – 4 years to places such as Washington DC, Jerusalem, London, Tel Aviv and Brussels (just to name a few). While this is exciting, it is also very stressful for the family to constantly re-settle. My children embrace it and like the challenge of a new home, new language, new school and new friends. I try to follow their lead even though it is very challenging at times!
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