The detail I remember most from my first meeting with Alysaa is that she worked eight different jobs before she turned 18. At 14, she convinced her local franchise of Harvey’s (Canadian Carl’s Jr.) that it was legal to hire her. She was the youngest barista trainer systemwide at Starbucks Canada. She worked two different car dealerships, interned for TD Bank, and started her own produce delivery business.

I'm told Alysaa knew more about Chevrolets than anyone in Ontario.

Over the past four years since joining us at BCV, Alysaa has been by far our most active contributor to deal work, participating in and leading diligence for a staggering 35 investment committees. She’s built our scouting program, working with a few dozen exceptionally talented individuals, including several who’ve gone on to start companies backed by BCV. We are all grateful for her persistence, resourcefulness, and willingness to prioritize the best outcome for the team.

Alysaa has a strong personal appreciation for the positive selection effect on people who make it to Silicon Valley without being born into it. Her work welcoming fellow Canadians into the ecosystem led us to partnerships with founders including Hooman Reza Nezhad at Solcoa, and others still in stealth.

Alysaa built a multi-million dollar college business selling produce direct-to-consumer.

Ironically (or not) for someone who grew up on Canadian universal coverage, Alysaa has become a leader of our investing practice focused on challenges in American healthcare. She’s led our partnerships from inception with Charta Health and others in stealth among other leading healthcare technology innovators, and built deep networks and expertise across the industry. I treasure my copy of her newsletter, Cracking the Codes, whenever it arrives.

Alysaa joined us without many of the advantages that our privileged industry tends to prefer. In recognizing Alysaa for her contributions and promoting her to partner, we also thank her for reinforcing our belief that Silicon Valley is a meritocracy where foreigners, outsiders, children of single mothers, and even Blue Jays fans can--with grit, thoughtfulness, and integrity--thrive and change the world.