Danya Hakeem
About Danya Hakeem
Danya Hakeem serves as the Vice President of Portfolio at Elemental Excelerator, where she focuses on scaling climate solutions with significant community impact. With a diverse background in production and program management, she has held various roles in organizations such as National Geographic and the Center for Food Safety, contributing to over $8 billion in follow-on funding for portfolio companies.
Current Role at Elemental Excelerator
Danya Hakeem serves as the Vice President of Portfolio at Elemental Excelerator, a position she has held since 2024. In this role, she focuses on scaling climate solutions that have a significant community impact. Her work involves overseeing a diverse portfolio of companies that are dedicated to addressing climate challenges. Hakeem's contributions are crucial in guiding these companies towards sustainable growth and innovation.
Previous Experience at National Geographic
Danya Hakeem worked at National Geographic from 2009 to 2014 in various production roles. She began as a Post Production Coordinator from 2009 to 2011, followed by a position as Production Coordinator from 2010 to 2011. Hakeem then transitioned to an Associate Producer role, serving from 2011 to 2014. Her experiences at National Geographic provided her with a strong foundation in media production and project management.
Background in Climate and Food Safety
Hakeem has a strong background in climate and food safety initiatives. She served as Program Director at the Center for Food Safety from 2015 to 2017, where she focused on food security and environmental sustainability. Additionally, she was a Climate Tech Fellow at On Deck in 2021, further enhancing her expertise in climate technology and innovation.
Educational Qualifications
Danya Hakeem holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a double major in Business Management from Virginia Tech, completed in 2009. She pursued further education at George Mason University, earning a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from 2014. Hakeem also studied at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, where she achieved a Professional Certificate in Impact Investing and Social Enterprise Management in 2018.
Achievements in Funding and Climate Initiatives
Hakeem has played a significant role in Elemental Excelerator's success, particularly in helping portfolio companies raise over $8 billion in follow-on funding. Her involvement in discussions at COP28 highlights her commitment to advancing climate solutions and engaging with global climate initiatives. Hakeem's work reflects her dedication to fostering impactful change in the climate sector.