Honoring Heritage and Impact: Natalie Dunn's Journey from Korbel to Venture Capital
Natalie Dunn, Principal Investor at LvlUp Ventures, is dedicated to supporting startups in their earliest stages, focusing on entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and the potential to create significant impact. Passionate about problem-solving and business building, she brings a founder's mindset to her work, emphasizing social impact and the pursuit of meaningful change.
Dunn began her higher education journey as a tennis player at the University of Denver, but her passion for addressing global challenges led her to the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. "I've always been drawn to more humanities versus STEM," she says. "I was incredibly passionate about some of the global problems that we're still dealing with—everything from gender inequity to human rights and the global economy."
Inspired by professors and intellectual depth at Korbel, Dunn declared International Studies as her major, pairing it with minors in Spanish, economics, and business. She credits her Korbel education for shifting her mindset and expanding her lens to evaluate companies, sectors, and industries critically and positively.
She is proud of her diverse ethnic background as a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, with Mexican, Danish, and Irish heritage, and embraces her identity as a queer woman. Reflecting on the intersectionality of identity, she acknowledges its profound influence on her work and worldview. "It's important that we take time to reflect on what identity means and how it impacts everything around us," she explains. She is particularly passionate about educating others on the lasting impacts of colonization and its continued role in shaping societies globally.
Dunn found a sense of community at the Korbel School beyond DU's vibrant sports culture. She connected with students and professors eager to discuss deep, meaningful topics like climate change, politics, and global economics. These experiences helped shape her approach to evaluating global challenges, a perspective she continues to draw upon in her work today.
Dunn also maintains a strong connection to her Native American heritage and community. Her family plays a significant role in fostering this bond, particularly her older sister, a Dartmouth graduate who majored in Native American studies, and her grandmother, who resides on the Pascua Pueblo Yaqui Reservation in Arizona. This fall, Dunn participated in the El Tour de Tucson with members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. She rode in honor of a cousin who recently passed and to raise awareness about diabetes and diabetes prevention. Dunn emphasizes the importance of understanding and honoring the past, reflecting on the legacy of her ancestors. “I appreciate how we hold space for folks that have come before us,” she shares, aspiring to inspire the next generation by continuing the tradition of strong Indigenous women in her family.
Navigating male- and white-dominated fields like venture capital hasn't been without challenges. "While these industries are working towards becoming more diverse and inclusive, there is still a long way to go,” she says, “and I’m hopeful I can be a steward in supporting those initiatives.” Once a shy and soft-spoken individual, Dunn has worked hard to find her voice and take up space. Inspired by her mother and sister's strength, she has developed a clear sense of her core values, tackling the challenges of advancing meaningful change with determination and resilience.
Dunn plans to focus on social impact and problem-solving for good. "I want to gear the next decade of my career toward creating a better world," she says. Her advice to others: find what fills your cup, pursue work aligned with your passions, and leverage your unique talents to make a difference.
For prospective Korbel students, Dunn emphasizes the importance of exploration and engagement. "Connect with professors and folks in the resource centers—they are very inspiring and keyed into amazing ways to get involved. Expand your community and network," she advises. Reflecting on her journey, she adds, "If I could go back, I'd get even more involved with the initiatives and people leading impactful change at Korbel."
From her Indigenous roots to her education at the Korbel School to her current role in venture capital, Natalie Dunn's story is one of embracing identity, pursuing passion, and striving to leave the world better than she found it.
