Helping you succeed at every stage.

Strut delivers unparalleled service and sets the standard for operational excellence in the venture capital industry.

Kristen Ostro

Kristen Ostro

Founder and CEO

Kristen is the Founder & CEO of Strut Consulting and a seasoned leader in the venture capital industry. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the operational foundations of both first-time funds and some of the industry’s most iconic firms. Kristen began her venture career at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Silicon Valley’s largest and most established venture firm, where she held key roles across administration, operations, and marketing. From there she went on to lead operations during the formative years at Homebrew, Xfund, and Zetta, bringing a strategic and hands-on approach to scaling firm infrastructure. 

Her expertise spans the full lifecycle of venture firms, from inception through fund maturation, and she’s worked closely with top-tier LPs, including institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and leading family offices. 

Kristen is also the Founder and Managing Director of Let’s Talk Ops, a community of over 250 VC operations professionals powering many of the world’s most successful venture firms from behind the scenes.

Nicole Fuller

Nicole Fuller

Chief Operating Officer

Nicole Fuller is Chief Operating Officer at Strut Consulting, where she oversees the firm’s internal operations, finances, people strategy, and commitment to exceptional client service. With over a decade of experience in the alternative asset industry, Nicole plays a critical role in building and scaling Strut’s infrastructure to support long-term growth, for both the firm and its clients.

Nicole has helped hundreds of General Partners establish and grow their firms, drawing on deep expertise in fund structures, venture capital operations, and the broader emerging manager ecosystem. Today, she focuses on firm building at scale, ensuring Strut’s internal systems and service delivery evolve alongside the needs of its clients.

Before joining Strut, Nicole helped scale Aduro Advisors during a period of rapid growth, leading client onboarding and business development efforts. Prior to her time at Aduro, Nicole got started in the alternative asset space by supporting multiple hedge fund businesses across operations, finance, and compliance. A Southern California native, she holds a B.A. in Economics from San Diego State University.

Our Team Members

  • MATT DINARDO

    MATT DINARDO

    Director of Finance

    As a Director of Finance at Strut Consulting, Matt  brings a well-rounded CPA background in VC accounting and financial operations. His foundation is rooted in public audit and tax, where he worked with a range of HNW individuals, corporations, and government sectors. From there, Matt moved into private equity fund administration, where he learned the ins and outs of private investment accounting on an institutional level. 

    Leveraging this technical background, he became a Controller at Aduro Advisors, where he constructed teams to manage fund clients through their reporting, transaction, and vendor needs. Through this knowledge of building teams focused on emerging and seasoned fund managers, Matt was promoted to Onboarding Controller for Aduro. In this role, he helped service a rotating set of 80-100 VC funds, setting up their initial firm needs and standardizing their historical information. Matt graduated from the University of Richmond with an accounting degree concentrating in finance.

  • LAUREN MCDAVID VICTOR

    LAUREN MCDAVID VICTOR

    Director of Finance

    As a Director of Finance at Strut Consulting, Lauren is a trusted partner to venture capital firms, bringing over a decade of experience in finance to help clients build strong operational foundations and drive financial excellence.  She specializes in supporting emerging managers as they scale, guiding them with a steady hand and strategic insight. 

    Lauren began her career in the high-stakes environment of Big 4 public accounting, leading audits for Fortune 100 tech, SaaS, and media companies. She then made the leap into the private sector, bringing her skills to a software startup before fully immersing herself in venture capital. At Aduro Advisors, she spent nearly six years overseeing fund administration and back office operations for emerging VC funds.  A  proud alumna of the University of Colorado, Lauren holds a BS in Economics and an MS in Accounting.

  • VIENNA POIESZ

    VIENNA POIESZ

    Director of Investor Relations

    As Director of Investor Relations at Strut Consulting, Vienna Poiesz helps venture capital firms to build stronger relationships with investors and achieve successful fundraising outcomes. As the Director of Investor Relations at Strut Consulting,  she partners with VCs to refine capital-raising strategies, fostering trust and alignment with limited partners (LPs). 

    At Energy Impact Partners, she was instrumental in scaling the firm from $50 million to $2 billion in assets under management, driving investor engagement to support the launch of eight funds. At the Data Community Fund, she launched Fund II, successfully raising $50 million to invest in data technologies. With a proven track record at the intersection of capital formation and investor engagement, Vienna’s ability to align investor priorities with innovative opportunities has consistently delivered exceptional results. She has honors degrees from UC Berkeley and Oxford University.

  • ZOSIA ULATOWSKI

    ZOSIA ULATOWSKI

    Director of Operations

    As Director of Operations at Strut Consulting, Zosia leads the charge in building and delivering high-caliber, institutional-grade operations covering everything from policies and procedures to investor relations and governance. She has partnered with firms ranging from $25M to $500M AUM, supporting them through every stage - from inception and fundraising to launching their fourth, fifth, and sixth funds. Zosia’s main focus is to enable VC firms and GPs to concentrate on what they do best: investing, supporting their portfolio companies, and driving returns.

    Zosia thrives on transforming internal operations from functional to exceptional. Her team is known for its proactivity and ability to address challenges before they become distractions. With a strong problem-solving mindset, an unrelenting bias toward action, and a practical approach, Zosia effectively navigates complex operational hurdles, always working to make the work feel lighter, even when the stakes are high.

    Prior to joining Strut, Zosia spent over five years at Cornerstone Venture Partners, where she managed fund operations, investor relations, and portfolio support. Before transitioning to the VC, she worked in tech companies and venture-backed startups, where she honed her skills in product and project management, as well as customer success.

  • SHELBY ARNETT

    SHELBY ARNETT

    Finance Manager

    Shelby is a Finance Manager at Strut Consulting, based in Asheville, North Carolina. Before joining Strut, she built her expertise in fund administration with a focus on newly-established funds and began her career as an auditor, gaining extensive experience in financial reporting and the venture capital landscape.

    Recognized for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, Shelby brings a proactive, solutions-driven attitude to every challenge. Her industry knowledge and team-oriented spirit make her a valuable asset to the organization. She holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University.

  • BRADEN HUFF

    BRADEN HUFF

    Finance Manager

    Braden is a Finance Manager at Strut Consulting, based in Denver, Colorado.  Prior to joining Strut, Braden worked in fund administration and began his career as an auditor, where he developed a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach to financial analysis.

    Known for his ability to tackle tactical projects and drive results, Braden excels in turning complex financial challenges into actionable solutions. He holds an undergraduate and Master's degree from the University of Denver, where he laid the foundation for their expertise in finance and accounting.

  • JOE LEIGH

    JOE LEIGH

    Finance Manager

    Joe serves as a Finance Manager at Strut Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in finance and operations, he is a seasoned executive who drives profitability and compliance by aligning financial strategy, forecasting, and funding with broader business objectives.

    Before joining Strut, Joe served as Director of Finance at Mandolin, a rapidly scaling startup. While there, he helped secure $12M in Series A funding and transitioned finance operations in-house. Prior to that, he directed financial services for multiple venture capital firms, managing more than $400M in AUM as Director of Finance at Aduro Advisors. He also played a pivotal role at InTandem, where he oversaw $160M in client HR needs and managed all financial and operational functions as the business grew from 30 clients to over 110.

    Joe began his career in accounting and finance at Quantitative Equity Strategies, ultimately serving as their Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. There, he directed accounting and compliance for an SEC-registered investment adviser managing over $300M in AUM and ensured adherence to strict regulatory standards.

    Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Metropolitan State University of Denver and continues to bring a strategic, analytical, and results-oriented approach to every organization he serves.

  • ALEXANDRA MACDONALD

    ALEXANDRA MACDONALD

    Events Manager

    Alexandra is a corporate event professional and Events Manager at Strut Consulting. She brings over a decade of experience producing highly curated, seamlessly executed events. Alex began her career at Silicon Valley Bank, where she spent more than eight years collaborating with VC and startup-focused teams to deliver conferences, summits, networking events, panels, hospitality gatherings, virtual programs, and more—all designed to foster meaningful connections across the innovation economy.

    Now specializing in VC-style events, Alex is excited to partner with Strut’s clients to continue crafting impactful experiences that strengthen the relationships at the heart of the tech ecosystem. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and now based in New York City, she brings deep knowledge of both coasts—two of the primary hubs of the venture capital world.

  • ELIZABETH MEDINA

    ELIZABETH MEDINA

    Finance Manager

    Elizabeth is a Finance Manager who brings extensive expertise in strategic financial operations, supporting venture capital firms with a focus on long-term success. She provides financial support, leads quarterly reporting efforts, and plays a critical role in enabling seamless operations across firms. Elizabeth oversees the activities of the fund administrator, assists with vendor management, and supports deal flow by reviewing investment materials to ensure efficient and well-informed execution. She helps position firms for long-term success by building processes that stand up to audit, compliance, and growth.

    Previously, Elizabeth served as an Assistant Controller at Aduro Advisors, where she delivered high-impact financial services to a diverse set of VC clients and helped them navigate complex operational challenges. She began her career at SEI Investments, supporting hedge funds and private equity clients with core financial services.

    Elizabeth is known for driving operational excellence and reducing friction in financial workflows that support firm-wide efficiency and growth.

  • DEBORAH MEREDITH

    DEBORAH MEREDITH

    Operations Manager

    As Operations Manager at Strut Consulting, Deborah transforms complexity into strategic advantage, enabling GPs to focus on what matters most: investing and portfolio company growth. She builds the infrastructure that scales investment strategies and maximizes fund performance.

    Deborah brings proven expertise in venture capital, having served as COO of Fenway Summer, a DC-based early-stage fintech venture firm, where she architected systems across multiple funds managing $200M in AUM. Her frameworks directly supported investment decision-making and portfolio company value creation initiatives.

    Her track record includes driving excellence during high-growth phases, notably at Fundrise where she optimized platform integrations and enhanced investor experience during a period of 100% year-over-year growth. At consulting firm LDR Advisory Partners, she developed comprehensive strategies and managed firmwide execution.

    Deborah's unique combination of venture expertise and strategic consulting experience positions her to deliver both seamless day-to-day execution and high-level insights, which drive measurable results for clients and stakeholders.

  • PEYTON MURRAY

    PEYTON MURRAY

    Investor Relations Manager

    Peyton Murray is an Investor Relations Manager at Strut Consulting, where she helps clients achieve their fundraising goals by managing LP communications, crafting engaging content, and providing insight and support for key investor events.

    She has spent her career helping venture capital firms refine their messaging and engage stakeholders. Prior to joining Strut, Peyton worked on the Investor Relations team at Rethink Capital Partners, where she oversaw marketing materials, coordinated events, and supported fundraising across the firm’s venture capital and real estate strategies.

    Peyton began her career at American Family Insurance, where she was responsible for marketing, social media, and storytelling for the company’s corporate venture impact fund and nonprofit partnerships.

    She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is currently based in New York City.

  • ANGELA UNUBUN

    ANGELA UNUBUN

    Operations Manager

    Angela is the Operations Manager at Strut Consulting, where she partners directly with clients to streamline fund operations and implement best practices. As a day-to-day point of contact, she supports firms with investment onboarding, service provider coordination, and scalable operational workflows.

    Before Strut, Angela worked in investment operations at Cambridge Associates, where she developed a strong foundation in fund processes and institutional workflows. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, where she studied Women’s and Gender Studies and Economics.

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Strut team locations on dotted map

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