Alana Ackerson

Alana Ackerson is a technology entrepreneur, venture investor, and theologian. Alana has founded and led multi-billion-dollar technology ventures and asset management firms, blending entrepreneurial vision with strategic execution. As an Investment Partner at Connecticut Innovations – the strategic venture arm of the state of Connecticut – she deploys capital and expertise to fuel early-stage companies. Previously, Alana founded HQ Digital, a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, where she collaborated with leading innovators in digital assets, blockchain, and decentralized finance. She also co-founded Figure Technologies, a multi-billion-dollar consumer fintech company, and Provenance Blockchain, the leading public Layer 1 network for real-world assets. As CEO of the Thiel Foundation, Alana championed initiatives that empowered visionary entrepreneurs and advanced early-stage investments in transformative science and technology projects. A recognized thought leader, Alana is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and contributed to the Independent Task Force on U.S. Innovation Strategy and National Security. She has served on the Board of Directors for Opportunity International, a global microfinance leader, and held board positions with several educational institutions. Alana graduated with honors from Stanford University with a Bachelors in Science, Technology, and Society. She holds an Masters in Philosophical and Systematic Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and a Doctorate of Ministry focused on technology and faith from San Francisco Theological Seminary, where she also trained as a spiritual director.