Meet Katie
Katie Dunn created The Masthead Strategy to make fundraising expertise accessible to more founders at an affordable cost and on a faster timeline.
After structuring over $10 billion in commercial real estate deals during her 25+ year banking career, she now applies her financial expertise to helping founders navigate the often-confusing fundraising landscape.
Katie approaches startup advising with the same sharp analytical skills and direct communication style that made her successful in finance. Having evaluated countless business opportunities throughout her career, Katie quickly spots what makes a pitch compelling or where it falls flat.
As an angel investor in nearly 30 companies, primarily led by underrepresented founders, she brings the investor perspective to The Masthead Strategy. Having seen thousands of pitches when evaluating investments for her own portfolio and guiding hundreds of founders through the fundraising process, she provides her clients an insider's view of what really works.
Katie's no-nonsense approach has helped founders raise millions in capital. When she's not transforming anxious founders into confident fundraisers, she's serving on the boards of Outcast Brands (parent to Blood Monkey Gin and Two Shores Rum), Fierce Foundry (Femtech Venture Studio), and the Enthuse Foundation (supports female founders in CPG), bringing strategic clarity to each organization.
Katie is also a proud member of Chief, Entreprenista, and Marble Collective and an advisor on The NORTH and hubble.
Outside the office, her passion for Blood Monkey Gin reflects her investment philosophy—backing what she genuinely believes in and enjoys (just one of several beverage brands in her portfolio that make investor meetings more interesting). And if you ever meet her, ask about Amber, the spirited "Chicken Dog" who keeps her running when she's not busy helping founders secure their next round.
Want to learn more? Follow Katie on LinkedIn or visit KatieDunn.com.