Joel Albarella

Joel Albarella is Senior Vice President and Head of New York Life Ventures (NYLV), New York Life’s corporate venture capital business.

Joel founded NYLV in 2012 and is responsible for steering all activities of the group, including the sourcing and management of strategic venture capital and growth equity investments, as well as the facilitation of strategic startup partnerships firm-wide. 

In addition to producing top quartile investment returns since inception, NYLV has added innovative capabilities across the company’s business operations by generating industry leading engagement rates with startups. NYLV also houses Innovation Services, a team dedicated to promoting a growth mindset firmwide through programs and supports enterprise strategic initiatives by applying human centered design methodologies.

Prior to founding New York Life Ventures, Joel was Chief of staff and Director of Strategy in M&A within NYL’s Asset Management business ($500 billion AUM). Before joining NYL, Joel held roles at the intersection of financial services and technology at Deutsche Asset Management and Hewitt Associates.

Joel is a Board Member of the Eagle Academy Foundation and serves as an Advisory Board Member for 8VC and Flybridge. Additionally, Joel is a Strategic Advisor for FTV Capital, and is a Member of the Editorial Advisory Panel for Innovation Leader.

Joel has an MBA from Columbia University and a BA from Rutgers University.