In 1964, Miriam Rivera was born in Dunkirk, New York, to a family of migrant farmers from Puerto Rico. At that time, women in the U.S. were not even allowed to obtain a credit card or mortgage without a male co-signer. Although the Civil Rights Act had been passed, it would still be another three years before the first woman would become a member of the New York Stock Exchange.
Today, 60 years later, Miriam Rivera is the co-founder and CEO of Ulu Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto. The company manages $400 million in assets and has a portfolio that includes 10 unicorn companies. Rivera reflects on her journey from childhood to Silicon Valley through the lens of her investment philosophy. “I always look for long-term opportunities,” she says. “In a world driven by power dynamics, it’s the rare opportunities that bring the greatest returns.”
Innovation and Leadership
Peggy Johnson, the 62-year-old CEO of Agility Robotics, was hired by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in 2014 and later led the company’s $26 billion acquisition of LinkedIn. Currently, Johnson leads a company that develops adaptable robots for workplace environments.
Like Rivera, Johnson attributes her success to experiences from her childhood. Growing up in a family with 15 siblings, she developed leadership skills through the challenges she faced.
Coaching and Success
Dawn Staley, a basketball coach, reached the peak of her career after turning 50. She led the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team to three national championships and realized that coaching had become her life’s true calling. “Coaching is like my second skin,” says Staley.
Ava Marie DuVernay, born in 1972, is an American director, screenwriter, and producer. She has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and a BAFTA Award, in addition to being nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. In 2011, she founded the distribution company ARRAY. “I always wanted to make it to the ‘30 Under 30’ list but never did. I used to think I had missed my chance,” she says. “But now, look—I’ve made it to the list of women who achieved success after 50! It’s incredible!”
This list serves as a powerful reminder that age is not a limitation and that experience is the best companion on the journey to success.
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