Emily is the Fund Financial Controller at Dawn, overseeing investor reporting, accounting, valuations, tax, and compliance matters for our funds at Dawn.

When I sat down for my first accounting lecture to learn my debits and credits, I never imagined those foundations would one day place me as at the heart of Dawn’s collective mission to partner with some of the most promising start ups in Europe. I’m extremely grateful that it has!

My role sits at the intersection of investors, the investment team, and the finance team - and that's exactly where I want to be. I get to help investors understand fund performance in meaningful detail through our quarterly reports and the conversations that follow. I get to collaborate with the investment team on everything from deployment planning to deal execution. I get to build a finance team where the desire to improve and think differently is part of our DNA.

My learning has continued beyond the Chartered Accountants Ireland building. Through IC and lunchtime conversations with the investment team, every day I am exposed to new ideas, industries, and business models - sometimes the first of its kind. I get to delve into the granular detail during our valuation process, where I deep dive into the companies’ financial statements to understand what drives their success, and what unique hurdles they are overcoming.

Outside of work, I travel whenever I can, immersing myself in new cultures and volunteering along the way. Always open to recommendations on where to go next.