Danae is a developer-turned marketer and a Tennessean who has worked in Scotland’s startup scene for over 17 years. She has extensive scale-up experience, joining as an early employee in Scottish startups FreeAgent and Care Sourcer and helping to build and scale their marketing teams. Danae is passionate about building inclusive, kind companies that support high-performing teams.
I’m co-founder and CEO of Valla, the legal platform for workers. I’m originally from the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee, then moved to Scotland for my Master’s degree and never left! I started my career as a software engineer and then transitioned into marketing at a scale-up called FreeAgent where I met my co-founder Kate. We stayed friends and moved into other roles, then started Valla together in 2020.
I did! I heard a fantastic talk from Maria Gutierrez who shared how she planned out her career step by step and borrowed her approach. She set a career goal, listed the skills and connections she’d need to acquire to get there, and then plotted out the roles she’d want to take to tick those boxes. It was a huge inspiration and I used that approach to reach my goal of becoming a CEO.
Definitely – in fact that’s why Kate and I created our startup Valla. We were both in senior roles in tech and dealing with discrimination and bullying at work, and realised that this was such a huge unsolved problem and that we could do something about it.
I think my biggest achievement so far is raising over £600,000 in venture and angel investment – fundraising is a tough job.
I’m a big believer in mentoring and being mentored, and going beyond the traditional definition of mentoring that focuses on longer term arrangements that are typically much more junior-senior. I love peer-to-peer mentoring and participate in a weekly Mastermind session, do a lot of informal and ad-hoc mentoring for other people and have a fantastic network of incredibly smart people that I call on when I need help. Running a startup in such a volatile world is simply too complex for any one person (or two) to handle on their own – it really does take a village!
If i could wave a magic wand and give more resources and time to women of colour who are fighting for gender equality, I think that would make a huge difference. As a white woman, I’m at risk of thinking that equality for people like me is good enough, when really that’s just scratching the surface of what’s needed. In short, fund Black women.
Eventually you’ll stop being terrified of cold-calling people and being told no, and it will feel like a superpower!
We just launched our Discrimination First Aid training programme at Valla, which is designed to help people become “first responders” and support their colleagues who experience discrimination at work. I know from experience what it feels like to hear about shocking behaviour at work and not know how to help, so we created this programme to catch issues early on and make sure that people get the support they need.
July
10jul17:3023:00Rising Star Awards Ceremony 2025
10/07/2025 17:30 - 23:00(GMT+00:00)
The Londoner Hotel
38 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7DX
Now in their eleventh year, the Rising Star Awards continue
Now in their eleventh year, the Rising Star Awards continue to be the first to spotlight the achievements of women below the Senior Management or Director level – showcasing the female talent pipeline and the next generation of future leaders.
The awards also recognise the efforts of senior leaders who champion gender equality and put the spotlight on a “company of the year” that actively supports its female talent pipeline above and beyond industry norms.
The team at WeAreTheCity are excited to announce that we will be holding our Rising Star awards celebration for all winners, sponsors and judges on the evening of 10 July at The Londoner, Leicester Square.
Over the course of the evening we will be networking and celebrating the achievements of all of our 2025 winners, whilst enjoying the very best in entertainment from our live singers and strictly stars. An evening not to be missed!
For more information visit: wearethecity-risingstars.com
26julAll DayTessy's Brunches Presents: Engage HER
26/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Stanley Stephenson Lounge
Crystal Palace Football Club, Holmesdale Road, London, SE25 6PU
Engage Her – July 26, 2025 Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive
Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community of women. Through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions, attendees will have the chance to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow together. This event aims to create a welcoming environment where women can support each other in their personal and professional journeys.
Highlights:
• Engaging workshops and interactive sessions encouraging active participation.
• Networking opportunities to expand personal and professional connections.
• Panel discussions with industry leaders sharing insights and experiences.
• Community-building activities to foster lasting relationships.
Mark your calendars for Engage Her on July 26, 2025, a vibrant event designed to connect and inspire women. Participate in interactive workshops, network with like-minded individuals, and join discussions with industry leaders. Build meaningful relationships and grow within a supportive community. Engage Her is your opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive together. Don’t miss out—register now!
Indulge in a sumptuous spread of delicious treats crafted to tantalize your taste buds.
Tickets are available for £50 and the event is open to all women. Let’s come together and support each other as we navigate the challenges of life. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tessy’s Brunches (www.tessysbrunches) is dedicated to creating a platform where unseen women become visible through networking and mentoring opportunities. Our mission is not only about recognising women but understanding and addressing their unique challenges.
Our aims are rooted in three core principles: Empower, Engage, and Elevate. We seek to empower women by inspiring personal growth and self-discovery. We aim to engage by fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community. Finally, we strive to elevate by enhancing professional development and personal fulfilment. Through these pillars, we are dedicated to helping women overcome barriers, realize their potential, and achieve both personal and professional success.
#TessysBrunches #WomenPower #CelebrateWomen #InspiringChange #EmpowerHER #EngageHER #ElevateHER