In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley sits down with Karen Sheffield, the Founder and Managing Partner of Pachamama Ventures—a venture capital firm focused on early-stage U.S. climate tech startups. With a unique background that spans roles at American Airlines, PepsiCo, and Visa, Karen brings an operator’s lens to the world of investing.

Karen shares her unexpected journey into venture capital, beginning with angel investing just four years ago. Her path has been defined by a curiosity to find value in overlooked markets and underestimated founders. As an underrepresented fund manager herself, Karen is intentional about backing diverse teams tackling critical issues like climate change with scalable innovation.

Tune in to hear her thoughts on how to de-risk early-stage investments, why climate tech is more than just a buzzword, and how she uses her corporate experience to guide portfolio companies. This conversation offers a powerful reminder that wealth creation and environmental impact don’t have to be mutually exclusive.