Meet Antonia
Antonia Dean
Startup Strategist - Career Guide - VC Investor
With nearly 20 years of experience in business—from launching brands and building fundraising programs to advising early-stage ventures and investing in founders—I specialize in helping leaders navigate pivotal transitions and scale with intention.
I’m currently a Partner at Black Ops VC, where I help seed-stage founders build market-driven companies and secure early funding. You’ve likely heard me say: I help founders turn good ideas into great businesses—a belief rooted in my track record working with iconic brands and scrappy startups alike.
My Journey
Law & Human Rights
I’m a non-practicing attorney. I hold a JD from Harvard Law School, where I worked in international development and human rights in North & West Africa. I left the law behind to work in the beauty industry instead
Brand Leadership & Corporate Innovation
I began my career driving growth for global consumer brands — including Calvin Klein, Mustela, Michael Kors, Vera Wang, and Le Labo — before shifting into corporate innovation and launching new brands like Flirt Cosmetics.Nonprofit & Fundraising Experience
I’ve been an early operator and leader in the nonprofit space, developing fundraising engines and defining strategic programs that closed critical funding gaps.Strategy Consulting & VC Investment
I’ve advised and invested across industries—from two person startups to large-scale corporate leaders like Comcast—and currently lead investments at Black Operator VC.
My path hasn’t been traditional or linear but every chapter of my career has deepened my understanding of how people and businesses make decisions. That perspective is what I bring to my clients — whether I’m helping a founder scale with intention or guiding a professional through a career pivot. I don’t offer one-size-fits-all advice. I bring real strategy, shaped by real experience.
Contact us
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