Top Venture Industry Communicator to Join Polaris

By Dave Barrett on September 9, 2013

We’re thrilled to announce that Emily Mendell — who has led the communications strategy for the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) for more than a decade — will join Polaris Partners at the end of September as Vice President of Communications.

As part of our team, Emily will be responsible for firm-wide marketing and communications and will support our portfolio of more than 100 growing companies operating in the technology, healthcare, and consumer spaces.

A long-time advocate for the venture industry and start-up community, Emily brings to the table a keen understanding of the innovation ecosystem and a unique appreciation of the critical partnerships that take place between portfolio companies, their partners, and ours.

Short story: Emily gets it.

She knows first-hand the synergy that takes place when passionate entrepreneurs and committed investor partners come together to turn ideas into realities.

She understands the lifecycle of value creation. She knows the challenges and opportunities experienced during each stage — from innovation through iteration, from building and scaling through M&A and IPO — across a diverse portfolio of companies.

And she has built an unparalleled network of partners, communicators and journalists across the country — all committed to sharing the venture capital story.

The keystone of the Polaris strategy lies in our belief in the power of long-term relationships. In strategically reaching out to and working with individuals who have proven themselves time and time again.

No one knows this more than my partner, Terry McGuire, who partnered closely with Emily during his chairmanship of the NVCA and the Global Venture Capital Congress, where together they worked on behalf of the U.S. venture capital and growth equity industry on critical market and public policy issues. Speaking about Emily, Terry shares:

“Emily’s talents as a communicator and advocate are only matched by her high level of professionalism and dedication to her craft. She’s both a strategic thinker and a tireless operator who takes a great deal of pride in her work and values the contributions of those around her. Every firm looks for a certain X-factor when it comes to welcoming new members to the team. We certainly saw that in Emily and know she will be a fantastic addition to Polaris.”

There’s a robust pipeline of incredibly exciting things which Polaris Partners and our companies are working on for the coming months and years.

We’re all looking forward to working with Emily to help convey all that we are — and all that we do — every day alongside our entrepreneurs in our efforts to create value for them, our Limited Partners, and to impact the world around us.