Data from All Raise, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting female founders and investors, revealed that in 2019, only a single Black woman achieved the position of partner within the venture capital landscape. This statistic underscores a consistent pattern of underinvestment in women of color throughout the technology sector.

Therefore, actively recruiting and advancing the next cohort of both founders and those making investment choices is vitally important.

Sydney Thomas, who initially joined Precursor Ventures – a seed and early-stage investment fund managed by Charles Hudson – has been elevated from the role of senior associate to principal. Thomas now works alongside Hudson, analyst Ayanna Kerrison, and entrepreneur-in-residence Chapman Snowden, forming the core team at Precursor.

Following her graduation from the Haas School of Business at Berkeley in 2016, Thomas began her work at Precursor by tackling tasks that many applicants would avoid: streamlining the operations of a fund, initially managing less than $5 million in committed capital, and establishing more structured processes.

“The fund’s operations were largely managed through my email,” Hudson explained. “She was instrumental in significantly improving our operational efficiency.” Thomas began her tenure as an intern, dividing her time between a company within Precursor’s investment portfolio and the fund itself, before transitioning into a full-time senior associate position.

With her promotion to principal, Thomas will now possess greater authority in evaluating and executing investment deals, and in making key decisions for the firm. Hudson commented that the initial objective was to reach a point where her operational role would be less critical, a goal Thomas successfully achieved. Thomas could not be reached for a statement.

The definitions of roles within venture capital firms have become increasingly ambiguous, and often deliberately so. Many funds now employ titles such as principals, investors, partners, investing principal partners, and senior associate investors. In practice, these individuals may all simply be referred to as “partners,” though their actual level of investment autonomy, decision-making power, and influence within the firm can vary considerably.

While this ambiguity can help manage internal dynamics, it frequently causes confusion for founders seeking to understand who has the authority to approve funding.

Hudson emphasizes his commitment to clear role differentiation and his desire to cultivate Precursor as a launching pad for individuals beginning their careers in venture capital. Thomas’s promotion grants her the ability to approve investments independently, without the extensive responsibilities typically associated with a partner-level position.

“I believe the sole purpose of appointing someone to the role of principal is the expectation that they will ultimately progress to become a partner,” he stated.