/People

Sarah Istel

Investor

Managing Director at Cerberus Ventures

New York, New York, United States

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About

Joined Cerberus in 2025 after serving as Deputy General Counsel and Bio & Energy Tech Lead for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. At Cerberus she focuses on multi-stage deep-tech defense investments in energy, biotech, and maritime; she holds a J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.

Experience

  1. Cerberus VenturesManaging Directorcurrent2025 — present
  2. Council on Foreign RelationsTerm Membercurrent2019 — present
  3. United States Senate Select Committee on IntelligenceDeputy General Counsel2022 — 2025
  4. House Judiciary CommitteeOversight Counsel2019 — 2021
  5. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPAssociate2012 — 2019
  6. Belfer Center for Science and International AffairsVisiting Affiliate2018 — 2019
  7. Second Circuit Court of AppealsFederal Clerk2015 — 2016
  8. United States District Court for the Southern District of New YorkFederal Clerk2013 — 2014

Colleagues at Cerberus Ventures

Frequently asked questions

Who is Sarah Istel?
Joined Cerberus in 2025 after serving as Deputy General Counsel and Bio & Energy Tech Lead for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. At Cerberus she focuses on multi-stage deep-tech defense investments in energy, biotech, and maritime; she holds a J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Where does Sarah Istel work?
Sarah Istel is Managing Director at Cerberus Ventures.
Where did Sarah Istel go to school?
Sarah Istel studied at Harvard Law School (Doctor of Law - JD); Princeton University (Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science and Government).

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