Andrew Yang Steps Down as Venture for America CEO

Venture for America is a fellowship program that connects recent graduates with jobs at startups across the country, including New Orleans.

For the last six years, Venture for America has been run by founder and CEO Andrew Yang. Earlier today, Yang announced he is stepping down as CEO and will be succeeded by Amy Nelson. She has been the managing director for the last two years.

“Amy is a tremendous leader and phenomenal person and I have no doubt that Venture for America will continue to thrive and grow with her as its new CEO,” Yang shared. “I will be joining the Board of Directors, which has unanimously endorsed Amy, so I will not be far away.”

Yang continued: “If there is anything that the last 6 years of building and running Venture for America has taught me, it is that great things – all things – remain possible if you pursue your ideals and surround yourself with amazing people.”

New Orleans is a popular destination for fellows and there are a few dozen former and current fellows in the city. Current fellows work at companies including Lucid, Camelback Ventures, LookFar, and Operation Spark.

The other cities Venture for America operates in include: Detroit, Providence, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Antonio, Miami, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Nashville, Charlotte, Denver, Columbus, Atlanta and Kansas City.

The truth is that the work of Venture for America is exactly what I feel the country needs most – energetic, ambitious, idealistic young people and others building businesses…”

Visit ventureforamerica.org to meet the local New Orleans fellows and find out other updates from the organization.