Adela Jamal
Adela Jamal is an MIT Sloan MBA graduate, angel investor, and General Partner & Co-Founder at Milemark Capital. Milemark Capital is a VC firm focused on early stage, tech, and AI-enabled startups led by diverse teams out of the MIT/Harvard ecosystem. Adela is a deeply passionate DEI and women’s advancement leader. She enjoys mentoring, advising, and supporting diverse communities both formally and informally. Adela is originally from South India – her father is South Indian and her mother is White American. Growing up in the US and India, she learned early on what it means to be a woman in business in both countries and the challenges that come along with it. She took that knowledge with her as she started her career working for a VC and tech startup in Silicon Valley and later moved on to corporate roles, such as being an Executive Director at Sony Pictures – always thinking about how to lift up others around her who were from underrepresented groups. And while her background has always been in tech and finance, her best work has been centered around DEI efforts - tapping into the intersection of innovation, diversity, and tech.
Share your journey with us - how did you get to where you are today?
“Adela is originally from South India – her father is South Indian and her mother is White American. Growing up in the US and India, she learned early on what it means to be a woman in business in both countries and the challenges that come along with it. She took that knowledge with her as she started her career working for a VC and tech startup in Silicon Valley and later moved on to corporate roles, such as being an Executive Director of Tech and Workforce of the Future at Sony Pictures – always thinking about how to lift up others around her who were from underrepresented groups. And while her background has always been in tech and finance, her best work has been centered around DEI efforts - tapping into the intersection of innovation, diversity, and tech.”
Describe a moment in your journey where someone's support in you accelerated your goals?
“Adela believes the support she received from various mentors and advocates throughout her career helped propel her to where she is today. This was especially vital when she intentionally took a career pause, attended MIT for her MBA, and pivoted into venture capital.”
How would you like to see networks for ambitious women change?
“I would love to see networks further embrace diversity and transparency. There is room for everyone at the table!”
“The quality of your journey - personally and professionally - can be significantly enhanced by a diverse and well-aligned support system. Don’t overlook the power of connection and community!”