Dara Keatts
About Dara Keatts
Dara Keatts is the Director of Innovation Banking at CIBC, with a diverse background in venture banking, corporate marketing, and business development.
Current Role at CIBC
Dara Keatts has been working at CIBC as the Director of Innovation Banking since 2022. Based in Durham, NC, she brings extensive experience in venture and innovation banking to her current position. Her role likely involves overseeing financing solutions for innovative companies, focusing on growth and development within the tech and startup sectors.
Previous Experience at Live Oak Bank
Before joining CIBC, Dara Keatts served as the Vice President of Venture Banking at Live Oak Bank from 2021 to 2022. She also held the role of Assistant Vice President of Venture Banking at the same bank from 2019 to 2021. In these roles, based in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, she was instrumental in supporting startups and high-growth companies with tailored financial solutions.
Role at Square 1 Bank
From 2016 to 2019, Dara Keatts worked as a Portfolio Analyst in Venture Banking at Square 1 Bank, located in Durham, NC. Her responsibilities would have included analyzing and managing a portfolio of venture-backed companies, ensuring they received the financial support needed to grow and scale.
Early Career and Corporate Marketing Experience
Dara Keatts began her professional journey with roles at Adwerx and other organizations. In 2015, she worked as a Corporate Marketing Specialist for five months, focusing on marketing strategies and business growth. Additionally, she held a Business Development position at Adwerx from 2014 to 2015. These roles allowed her to develop skills in marketing and business strategy in the Raleigh-Durham area.
Educational Background
Dara Keatts studied Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving her B.A. between 2008 and 2010. She also attended Marymount Manhattan College, studying Acting for a year from 2004 to 2005, where she achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her diverse educational background has contributed to her multifaceted approach to business and innovation banking.