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Ask Faraj Aalaei to introduce you to Leela
You →Faraj · together at Cognichip (2025–2026) →Leela
Ask Jamie Chen to introduce you to Leela
You →Jamie · 5 people · together at Candou Ventures →Leela
Ask Sam Okafor to introduce you to Leela
You →Sam · 6 people · together at Courtyard Ventures →Leela
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About
Leela Najafi joined Candou Ventures as an Associate in 2024, where she works on firm operations and processes and supports partners on projects including portfolio company support and partnership development. Before joining the firm, she served in a senior leadership role in the U.S. Senate as Nominations Director for Senate leadership and founded nonprofit organizations focused on removing financial barriers for underserved communities. She earlier held internships with the Senate Finance Committee and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and holds a B.A. in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government from American University's School of Public Affairs.
Contact· self-published, not guessed
Experience
- CognichipSenior Manager, GTMcurrent2026 — presentRedwood City, CA
- CognichipManager, GTM2025 — 2026Redwood City, CA
- CognichipGTM MBA Intern2025Redwood City, CA
- Courtyard VenturesVenture Partner2024 — 2025Berkeley, California, United States
- Candou VenturesAssociate2024Palo Alto, California, United States
- United States SenateNominations Director, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer2021 — 2023
- United States SenateResearch Assistant, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer2020 — 2021
- United States SenatePress Assistant, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer2019 — 2020
- United States Senate Committee on FinancePress Intern, Democratic Staff2019District of Columbia, United States
- Federal Reserve Bank of San FranciscoCommunications Intern2019
- CQ and Roll CallLegislative Research Intern2018Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsDigital Press Intern2017Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Blue Future + the Youth Progressive Action CatalystCo-Founder2017Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Office of Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA)Intern2016Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Skills & more
+12 more
Microsoft OfficePowerPointMicrosoft ExcelFacebookMicrosoft PowerPointexcelPublic SpeakingLeadershipStrategic PlanningManagementWritingCommunicationLanguages English · Persian
From Leela's professional profile.
Colleagues at Candou Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Leela Najafi?
- Leela Najafi joined Candou Ventures as an Associate in 2024, where she works on firm operations and processes and supports partners on projects including portfolio company support and partnership development. Before joining the firm, she served in a senior leadership role in the U.S. Senate as Nominations Director for Senate leadership and founded nonprofit organizations focused on removing financial barriers for underserved communities. She earlier held internships with the Senate Finance Committee and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and holds a B.A. in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government from American University's School of Public Affairs.
- Where does Leela Najafi work?
- Leela Najafi is Associate at Candou Ventures.
- Where did Leela Najafi go to school?
- Leela Najafi studied at University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business (Master of Business Administration - MBA); American University (Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communications, Law, Economics, and Government).
Same school
Also attended University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business971
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Also attended American University175
+ 169 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Cognichip4
Also worked at Candou Ventures6
Also worked at United States Senate143
+ 137 more
