Whitnie Narcisse has built her career around a simple but uncommon truth: the strongest companies—and the strongest careers—are built through real relationships. As a longtime operating partner at First Round Capital, she’s been a quiet force behind some of the most trusted founder and operator communities in tech.

In this episode, Whitnie traces her non-linear path from Teach for America and nonprofit work into venture capital, sharing how curiosity, bold outreach, and genuine care opened doors she couldn’t have planned for. Along the way, she unpacks the mindset shifts required to navigate career transitions, advocate for yourself, and move forward—even when you don’t fit the traditional mold.

We also dive into the how: practical, creative approaches to networking and mentorship that actually work. From async advice and Loom videos to game nights, curated gatherings, and her FACE framework—Facts, Authenticity, Credibility, and Engagement—Whitnie offers a masterclass in building relationships with intention and generosity.

This conversation is a reminder that community isn’t built overnight. But when it’s built well, it compounds—and becomes one of the most powerful forces in a career.

www.whogotmehere.com

https://whogotmehere.substack.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Meet Whitnie Narcisse: From Teaching 8th Grade Science to Venture Capital

01:00 – Saying Yes Early: Teach for America, Nonlinear Careers, and Learning by Doing

02:45 – The Trivia Night That Quietly Changed Everything

07:00 – Breaking Into Venture Without a Straight Line (or a Perfect Plan)

09:00 – Networking with Agency: Confidence, Bold Outreach, and Assuming Positive Intent

14:00 – Modern Mentorship: Loom Videos, Async Advice, and Protecting Your Time

16:00 – Building Community at First Round: Why Relationships Compound Over Time

18:30 – What Makes a Great Event: Guest Lists, Small Groups, and Intentional Design

20:30 – Rethinking Networking: Game Nights, Poker, and Making Connection Fun

22:30 – The FACE Framework: How to Be Memorable, Human, and Credible

Perfection might get views—but it doesn’t build connection. In this clip, Michael talks about why showing imperfection, struggling in real time, and leaving things unpolished actually removes intimidation and creates trust. It’s the difference between swipeable content and deep connection. When people feel your authenticity, identify with your story, and are genuinely learning alongside you, that’s the real summit of the internet—not follower counts or flashy edits, but meaningful depth with real people.

Michael Palmisano didn’t stumble into success—he earned it through years of uncertainty, persistence, and an unwavering belief that the things worth having take time. In this episode of Who Got Me Here, Michael shares how the collapse of the traditional music industry forced him to rethink everything, ultimately leading him to build a global audience by teaching guitar online and breaking down songs.

Guided by his mantra—working hard, getting better every day—Michael reveals how showing up authentically, being vulnerable, and embracing imperfection helped him connect with nearly a million subscribers on a deeply human level. From betting his family’s savings on an unproven idea to launching his next entrepreneurial act with Teleport pedals, this is a powerful story about patience, self-trust, and building a life around what matters most.

www.whogotmehere.com

https://whogotmehere.substack.com

https://www.youtube.com/@whogotmehere-podcast

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Qualified CEO and three-time founder Kraig Swensrud shares the number one thing he focuses on as a leader: finding future superstars early and betting on them before they’re “ready.”

Kraig talks about how he looks for people with passion, drive, and that hard-to-define X factor—even if they don’t yet have all the skills or experience. He explains why he gives them stretch roles, extra time, and bigger opportunities than their résumé might justify, as a way of paying forward the leaders who once took a chance on him.

If you’re an emerging talent wondering what leaders look for—or a manager thinking about how to invest in your team—this is a powerful blueprint for how careers (and loyalty) are built.

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Kraig Swensrud shares how a single, thoughtful cold email to a CEO completely changed the trajectory of his career—and why almost no one does it.

He explains the difference between generic sales spam and a genuine, highly specific message that says: I know what your company does, here’s why I care, here’s how I can help, and here’s where I fit. That one email led to a new role, an acquisition, and a mentor who bet big on him.

Kraig’s advice: don’t be intimidated by the CXO title. If your outreach is real, relevant, and clearly win–win, leaders will make time for it—and you’ll stand out from the thousands of automated messages in their inbox.

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Kraig Swensrud explains the simple but powerful criteria he uses to identify rising stars inside his company—people who are smart, driven, generous, and willing to put in the effort long before they have all the answers.

Kraig shares why he proactively reaches out to these early-career talents, tells them they have a unique “X factor,” and gives them opportunities they may not yet feel qualified for. His goal: invest in them before anyone else does, help them grow, and build relationships that last decades.

He also breaks down what real networking looks like—not transactional favors, but long-term, mutual commitment. When you go above and beyond for someone, they’ll do the same for you. That’s how careers compound.

A candid look at why betting on people—and being the person others want to bet on—can change the trajectory of your entire career.

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Kraig Swensrud shares one of the most important lessons of his career: every relationship you build in tech will follow you for decades.

Kraig explains why even the coworkers you clash with today may become future allies, collaborators, or C-suite leaders tomorrow. The tech world is far more interconnected than it appears—people move across Google, Dropbox, Meta, Salesforce, startups, and beyond, carrying their networks with them.

He recalls Marc Benioff’s advice that people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year, and radically underestimate what they can accomplish in a decade—a mindset that applies just as powerfully to relationships.

Kraig’s message:

* Don’t burn bridges.

* Think in 10-year arcs, not 10-day frustrations.

* Your early peers will become the industry’s future leaders.

* And the network you build now will be one of your greatest career assets.

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Kraig Swensrud explains why the people who sit on the cutting edge of technology naturally become magnets for opportunity and relationships. In today’s world, that cutting edge is AI.

Kraig shares the story of Rich Campbell, a teammate who raised his hand to figure out how an AI agent could help Qualified acquire new customers. Rich pulled together 20 vendors, built something real, and earned a new title—AI Go-to-Market Specialist—along with a stronger internal network and career momentum.

Kraig’s advice to young professionals:

* Run toward new technology, especially AI

* Be the person others go to when they want to learn

* Build success with the people around you, not alone

Do that, and your network will quietly compound for the rest of your career.

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Kraig Swensrud shares a lesson every tech professional eventually learns: the industry is much smaller than you think.

Kraig explains why the people sitting around you today—coworkers, peers, even those you barely notice—are likely to reappear throughout your career. They’ll become leaders, decision-makers, and influencers across the industry, often just one or two degrees away from you for decades.

He also warns against letting relationships go cold. When someone reaches out years later asking for a connection, you never want to feel awkward because you didn’t stay in touch.

Kraig’s biggest takeaway: your success isn’t built alone. It’s built with the people you grow up with professionally—the ones you help, the ones who help you, and the ones you rise with over time.

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Kraig Swensrud explains why the most powerful relationships in your career are forged “in the trenches” — shipping products, solving problems, and going through real work together.

He shares how early teammates from cubicles and scrappy startups went on to become CROs and executives at companies like Dropbox, Zendesk, and Miro—and why those shared experiences created bonds that lasted decades.

Kraig’s message to early-career professionals: don’t underestimate the people sitting next to you right now. The projects you’re grinding on together today are the foundation of the network that will be leading the tech industry 10–20 years from now.