2025RIC-November Breakfast - Heidi Nel

Heidi Nel is a family office executive and seasoned cross-sector operator with experience spanning private capital, public policy, media, and strategic communications.

As COO of New Theory Ventures, she built and leads a single-family office for an exited female entrepreneur, directing capital to women through early-stage investments in female founders and next-gen investor engagement.

Heidi brings over 15 years of general management experience and is known for building infrastructure, managing complexity, and leading across mission-driven and growth-stage environments. She brings operational depth and narrative fluency to capital strategy—aligning investments with long-term value creation and generational stewardship.

Before transitioning into venture capital and private wealth, Heidi served as Managing Principal at The Raben Group, where she launched the firm’s Impact Entertainment division. She also opened the Washington, D.C. office of Picture Motion as a Partner, advising studios, platforms, and creators—including Sony Pictures Television and YouTube—on storytelling and systems change. She was the founding Executive Director of Represent Justice, the campaign for Warner Bros.’ film Just Mercy.

Heidi started her career in Hollywood—first for Suzanne Somers, then at Lionsgate Films, where she co-produced digital content for emerging platforms. She has been featured by CNN International, Fast Company, Forbes, and Variety, and is a Media Impact Award recipient from the United Nations Office for Partnerships and PVBLIC Foundation.

She serves on the board of Startup Virginia and was an adjunct instructor at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Heidi graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts and holds certificates from Wharton Executive Education (Private Wealth Management, Private Equity) and Berkeley Law’s Venture Capital University. Originally from South Africa, she lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her family.