Elizabeth Yao studied at Stanford, getting simultaneous degrees in Economics and Symbolic Systems, interning at Amazon as a software engineer, and winning three Division 1 national championships as a member of the women’s tennis team. While she had envisioned a career in academia, she caught the business bug after taking a class about venture investing and took her first job at Bain & Company. There she dove into private equity advisory: analyzing companies, working on M&A, and learning more about both enterprise and consumer tech.

To General Catalyst she brings a combination of integrative thinking, respect for data, and eagerness to tell the stories that help young companies become enduring ones. She was inspired to join the firm for its culture of collaboration and diversity of thought. In partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams she values active listening and focusing on the essential keys to success.

In her free time, Liz learns French, listens to podcasts, reads books, and practices Chinese calligraphy. Based on her experience working with kids in disadvantaged communities, she has a secret ambition to become a high school teacher one day.