When Isabella Mandis arrived at Harvard University, she did exactly what many ambitious students interested in startups and venture capital do: she joined clubs.
But there was one pattern she couldn’t ignore, in rooms of clubs related to entrepreneurship, coding, and investing, she was often the only girl.
Seeing the Gap and Deciding to Act
Isabella didn’t begin with a nonprofit, a formal board, or a polished website. She began with something much simpler: a realization that representation in venture capital wasn’t where it should be — and a belief that community could change that.
Her first step? A LinkedIn post.
That single post sparked conversations, connections, and eventually a growing network of women who shared the same interest in venture capital but hadn’t always felt welcomed into the space.
How Girls Into VC Grew
The growth of Girls Into VC was both organic and intentional.
Organically, LinkedIn did its thing. People liked posts, shared them, tagged others — creating a chain effect that helped the community spread naturally.
But Isabella was also proactive. She messaged people. She started conversations. She asked questions.
The takeaway? The community grows because someone is willing to reach out first.
Balancing School and Building Something Real
Running a growing organization while being a full-time student isn’t easy.
Isabella’s approach comes down to three things:
- Prioritization: Every semester looks different, and not everything can be the top priority all the time.
- Calendar discipline: Scheduling isn’t optional, it’s survival.
- Micromanagement: Knowing where your time goes and being honest about your capacity.
Leading the Team With Communication
When it comes to leading a team, Isabella emphasizes that strong leadership is built on:
- Clear communication
- Shared priorities
- Mutual respect
Advice She’d Give to Anyone Starting Something
One of Isabella’s strongest beliefs is the importance of in-person connection.
She stresses the value of:
- Meeting face-to-face
- Team retreats
- Conferences
- Informal bonding
Those moments create trust which turns a group of people into a real team.
For students looking to start a project, nonprofit, or business, she also offers practical advice:
- Research what already exists
- Figure out what you’re doing differently
- Put community at the center
How It All Actually Started
Before there were programs, partnerships, or conferences she began with a simple Word document.
Inside it were ideals, potential programs and more. The more outreach, the more Isabella earned feedback from people, helping her understand what they actually wanted.
A Key Takeaway From All This:
The impact you can make as a team is far greater than anything you can do alone.
And that belief is reflected in everything Girls Into VC stands for.
Early Entrepedia - Gen Z Business & Economics Insights 
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