INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT: Liz Wald, Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, Good Earth Organics

Every month we spotlight people from our incredible network who support MATR Ventures and our mission to change the game in Venture Capital and actively invest in the Underestimated founder.

We are honoured to spotlight Liz Wald, Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, Good Earth Organics.

What was your biggest investment mistake? How did you overcome it?

The biggest mistake was probably something I didn’t invest in, like BTC at $100! But for a specific example, I would point to an investment I made in a very early stage business where the lead investor was more of a technical investor rather than someone who was passionate about the company/industry. When the inevitable “we need more capital” call came, the lead investor decided to take the write off rather than reinvest. The rest of use were left no choice but to do the same or take on the lead investor role, which we were not in the position to do.

Now I do a bit more due diligence about who are the bigger check writers in any deal I look at — especially in seed/early stage investments.

What was the biggest factor that contributed to your success?

It was likely my upbringing! I was adopted when I was 20 days old and it turned out I got a pretty awesome family! Education was valued above all else with “giving one’s all” a close second. As a result I think I’ve always been comfortable with taking risks. I know that I can find “a job” that will ensure I can put food on the table and roof over my head, so I try to think about the upside rather than the downside of going into a new industry or investing in something that carries a lot of uncertainty (cannabis, crypto, startups). I also diversify — if I didn’t have more “stable investments” in my portfolio, I wouldn’t be willing to take as much risk!

What was the one book that has influenced your path?

I joke with my friends that I am the best educated worst reader on the planet! I don’t read business books, or really, all that many books in general. I think the one ‘reading’ that may have influenced my path was when someone from the Wall Street Journal came to my university and taught us how to read that paper (no digital format in the 80s!). I had always thought it would be boring and intimidating and was shown that my assumption was wrong. Now I read it not only for the business news — when a new industry starts popping up in the WSJ on a regular basis you know it’s here to stay (see: metaverse) — but also as a balance to publications like the New York Times. It’s good to be informed on all sides of an issue — or an aisle!

If you could name one thing you’re most proud of, what would that be?

I’m the most proud of the long-term relationships I’ve made/kept with my closest friends. A close second is doing a coast-to-coast bike/run event in 2002 (before Google maps!) that raised $200K+ for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.

Why have you chosen to invest in MATR Ventures?

Frankly, more capital needs to go both to women fund managers and to women-led startups. I like the disciplined lens Giselle is putting on this fund, the fact that she is using technology to identify great opportunities, and that the mentor network will be the secret sauce that ensures a high probability of success.

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