Heidi Nel

Heidi Nel is a strategist and operator whose experience spans entertainment, government, and finance. She serves as Chief Operating Officer at New Theory Ventures, a family office and venture catalyst that invests in women and diverse entrepreneurs, enabling early-stage founders to scale game-changing ideas through strategic funding.

Previously, Heidi was a Principal at The Raben Group, where she led the Impact Entertainment division and advised media companies including Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros., and YouTube on how to utilize storytelling as a tool for social change. She was an adjunct instructor at Duke University in the Sanford School of Public Policy, and has been featured in CNN International, Fast Company, Forbes, and Variety. She was recognized by The Case Foundation as a “Millennial Leader to Follow” and received the Media Impact Award from the PVBLIC Foundation and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.