Nicole Poteat got involved with Ackerman through the work of long-time board member Doris Kempner, Nicole’s grandmother. Ackerman’s work with families and siblings of those living with chronic illness particularly resonated with her as her brother lived with chronic illness until his passing at age 31. This lived experience drives her philanthropic endeavors and she endowed the Michael Poteat Global Education Scholarship at Elon University to benefit students living with chronic illness and seeking extra-curricular educational opportunities such as study abroad and internships.
Nicole’s commitment to LGBT+ causes is also driven by personal experience with the issues Ackerman seeks to address. Following the loss of her college roommate to suicide, she worked for the Human Rights Campaign to address the political directives that marginalized the LGBT+ community. She is now an angel investor and managing member of Gaingels, a mission based venture capital organization investing in companies with LGBT+ leadership.
Nicole is a Vice President and Private Client Advisor at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. Nicole holds a Series 66 Certification as a securities agent and investment advisor representative, and Series 7 Certification as a general securities representative.
Nicole graduated from Harvard University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Government and from Boston College Law School in 2015 with a JD. She played for Harvard’s Radcliffe Women’s Rugby team, winning the 2011 National Championships. Prior to joining US Trust Nicole provided strategic analysis to Goldman Sachs’ Executive Office in their Business Selection and Conflict Resolution Group. She has also worked in the non-profit and government sectors including for the AIDS Action Committee and Senator Clinton.
Nicole lives in Westchester, NY with her wife Emilie and their two golden retrievers.
