Summer Internship Experience at Echo River Capital
Hometowns: New York City and Jamaica (where I was born)
Internship Company: Echo River Capital (Remote from Dallas, Texas)
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Relevant SOM Classes: Executive, State & Society, and Entrepreneurship
Go-To Work Lunch: Avocado toast
After-Work Routine: Gym or pickleball, followed by reading or entrepreneurial projects
Favorite Thing about Internship City: Flexible work setup allowed me to explore Dallas’ food scene and connect with founders and investors nationwide.
This summer, I had the privilege of interning at Echo River Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on transformative water technologies. My role as an MBA summer associate involved evaluating emerging companies within the water technology ecosystem—ranging from industrial water treatment to digital water solutions and innovative infrastructure technologies. Key tasks included conducting market analysis, interviewing founders, preparing investment memoranda, and automating parts of the investment intake and diligence workflows.
One rewarding aspect of the internship was my ability to contribute beyond company evaluations. I led research on Earth observation as a potential investment theme, delving into how satellite technologies can enhance water management and identifying future investment opportunities. Additionally, I supported the fundraising efforts of a portfolio company by coaching and assisting with due diligence. Managing an undergraduate intern further honed my leadership skills as I delegated tasks and provided feedback, reinforcing my enthusiasm for working at the intersection of investing, operations, and company-building.
I was drawn to Echo River Capital because of its alignment with my interests in strategy, entrepreneurship, and climate resilience. Growing up in New York City, I initially overlooked issues of clean water access. However, a summer spent in rural Pennsylvania opened my eyes to the consequences of unsafe tap water. Concurrently, I witnessed my family’s farm in Jamaica facing increasing challenges from drought and unpredictable weather, which highlighted the real-world impact of water crises on communities.
Prior to Yale SOM, I worked in strategy and operations at L’Oréal and Kearney. There, I observed how established organizations innovated incrementally due to legacy systems and competing priorities, deepening my appreciation for early-stage companies that drive transformational technologies. My experience at Echo River Capital allowed me to partner directly with founders to address critical water challenges.
Several Yale SOM courses significantly influenced my summer work. The Executive course bolstered my strategic thinking, enabling me to view broader market dynamics and long-term investment potential rather than focusing solely on individual companies. It also enhanced my leadership abilities through investment presentations, collaboration, and mentoring. Meanwhile, the State & Society course enriched my understanding of regulatory and stakeholder dynamics affecting technology adoption in water infrastructure. Finally, the Entrepreneurship course helped me adopt a founder’s perspective, sharpening my awareness of the challenges early-stage companies encounter as they scale.
Overall, this internship not only strengthened my investing toolkit and leadership capabilities but also reaffirmed my ambition to build a career at the intersection of strategy, investing, and entrepreneurship. I aim to support innovative companies in scaling solutions to complex global challenges and remain convinced that venture capital can significantly accelerate technologies that enhance climate resilience and expand access to one of our most vital resources: water.
