Don Carlson

Founder & Managing Member

Boulder Ventures LLC · Jamestown, Rhode Island, United States

Present

Early stage investor and company builder in sustainable businesses including renewable energy, battery technology, grid technology and smart meters, environmentally safe lithium mining, efficient refrigeration, electrostatic motors and dozens of other sustainable business models. High focus on progressive environmental and social impact.

Venture Partner

Rubicon Venture Capital

Present

Active early stage investor in dynamic start-up companies.

Candidate for Congress, 1st Congressional District of Rhode Island.

Don Carlson for Congress · Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Candidate in Democratic primary for 1st Congressional District of Rhode Island. Campaign focused on seizing opportunities to make Rhode Island a leader in sustainable business and renewable energy, particularly offshore wind energy. Primary issues: Ending the scourge of gun violence, securing reproductive freedom for women, providing universal access to high quality education, and solving the crisis of affordable housing.

Senior Executive Director, Tsai Leadership Program

Yale Law School · New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Headed the Joseph C. Tsai Leadership Program to build on the storied traditions of traditions of Yale Law School. Mission is to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of leadership across many fields. From government and not-for-profit organizations, to corporate and financial institutions, to leadership positions in the bench and bar around the globe, YLS alumni rise to positions of responsibility that demand the highest standards of leadership both theory and in practice. The Tsai Leadership Program equips Yale Law graduates for those challenges through a deeper understanding of leadership, negotiation, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness.

Partner

LGA | Lansberg Gersick Advisors · New Haven, Connecticute

Expert advisor to prominent foundations, significant family-owned operating businesses, and family offices. Deep expertise in leadership and governance issues in both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations.

Principal

Carlson Consulting Inc. · Greenwich, Connecticut

Don's consulting expertise draws on a career's worth of experience working at organizations as diverse as Goldman Sachs, Corporate Executive Board, Williams & Connolly, the United States Congress, and a half dozen entrepreneurial companies. Through CCI, Don leads negotiations skills seminars based on the concepts of principled negotiation (as developed through Harvard's Program on Negotiation), management off-sites for strategy development, and leadership courses in both corporate and academic contexts. Don has recently taught graduate and undergraduate level courses in "leading with emotional intelligence" (Bard MBA program; University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies) and "sustainable business strategies" (Williams College).

Visiting Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies

Williams College · Williamstown, MA

Teaching classes on the moral foundations of capitalism, environmental law, and law & economics.

Founding Partner

The Forefront Law Group Ltd.

Founding partner of innovative legal practice serving entrepreneurs and growth companies. With a novel staffing model and creative fee structures Forefront is re-shaping the way attorneys practice law.

Chief Executive Officer

Matterhorn Data Inc

CEO of data company building world class M&A database, including 900+ terms and fields for 2000 public and private M&A deals. Negotiated strategic distribution deal with premier industry partner Lexis-Nexis to provide core market data for pioneering new product line Lexis Practice Advisor. Currently serving as member of the board of directors.

Chief of Transition

U.S. House of Representatives · Washington DC-Baltimore Area

Actively involved in Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) first election campaign in 2008. Successfully campaigned to defeat at 21-year GOP incumbent to turn a red seat reliably blue for the past 15 years. Headed Congressman Himes' transition team as a federal employee while hiring staff in DC and Connecticut, achieving committee assignments, and defining first-term Congressional strategy and priorities.