Brylan Donaldson
About Brylan Donaldson
Brylan Donaldson serves as the Associate Director at The Garage at Northwestern, where he engages with the community to support student founders. He has a diverse background in entrepreneurship and operations, having previously co-founded Seventh Ave, Inc. and held various roles in notable companies.
Work at The Garage
Brylan Donaldson serves as the Associate Director at The Garage at Northwestern since 2023. In this role, he oversees programs and engages with both Northwestern and Chicago communities to support student founders. His responsibilities include fostering an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring that emerging entrepreneurs have access to the resources and networks necessary for success.
Previous Experience at Seventh Ave, Inc.
Before joining The Garage, Brylan co-founded Seventh Ave, Inc. and served as the Chief Executive Officer from 2020 to 2023. Under his leadership, Seventh Ave evolved into a venture-backed startup that focused on the creator economy. His role involved strategic decision-making and building the company’s vision, which contributed to its growth and market presence.
Education and Expertise
Brylan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Analytics from The University of Kansas, where he studied from 2013 to 2018. His educational background provided him with a strong foundation in data analysis and business strategy, which he has applied throughout his career in various roles across different organizations.
Career Path and Roles
Brylan has held several positions in various organizations. He worked as a Venture Scout at Serac Ventures in 2023, focusing on identifying and supporting emerging startups. His previous roles include Strategic Fashion Partnerships at Affirm, where he created significant revenue streams, and Head of Operations at BAR Digital. He also gained experience as a Product Manager at Blavity Inc., where he led growth initiatives that contributed to the company's expansion.
Leadership and Community Engagement
During his time at The University of Kansas, Brylan was actively involved in student leadership, serving as the Treasurer of the Black Student Union and President of the Entrepreneurship Club. He built global networks to support student founders, demonstrating his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and community engagement.