Nadia Dugal

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE. Nadia Dugal is a visionary, deeply committed to the future of technology. Born in Texas, Nadia has lived around the world, and her diverse experiences have shaped her unique perspective. She started her career as a private equity lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis, quickly becoming one of the top venture capital lawyers in the world. But despite her success, Nadia felt a deeper calling. “I love connecting with people and helping them understand complex concepts,” she says. This led her to leave her prestigious legal career to become a startup founder.

Nadia believes that technology is the future, a belief that drives her every day. “The future is technology, and being in this field keeps me on the cutting edge,” she asserts. Her company, Tome, was born from this vision. Tome uses AI to make contract reviews fast, easy, and reliable, aiming to help people understand and negotiate contracts without needing to hire a lawyer. “We enter into contracts every day, and we have no idea what they mean. These documents dictate our rights and obligations, so we should understand them better.”

The idea for Tome emerged while Nadia was working for the Omidyar Network when a question from a founder highlighted the complexity and inaccessibility of legal documents. “I came to realize how contracts, in their traditional form, often inhibit understanding and agreement,” she explains. Determined to bring her vision to life, Nadia began exploring the idea further. She struggled to find a committed business partner until a chance interaction on social media connected her with Stephen Trusheim, who would become her co-founder. “We quickly realized that we are both so passionate about this that even if we failed, I knew I would learn so much from the experience.”

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE. Nadia’s drive to excel is evident in everything she does. “I am drawn to people who focus their lives on honing their craft and becoming the best at what they do,” she says. This pursuit of excellence motivated her to transition from a successful legal career to the uncertain world of startups. “I’ve stumbled onto success many times and driven myself to failure many times,” she admits. “But I’m never disappointed in my failures because the journey and the process of striving for success are what I cherish the most.”

Raised in a traditional South Asian family after her parents immigrated to America in the 1970s, Nadia’s outlook was shaped by cultural expectations. However, her journey as a queer trans woman of color has expanded her perspective. “A successful life is not about fitting into a predefined mold; it’s about finding what truly matters to you and pursuing it with passion,” she explains.

OWNING AUTHENTICITY. Nadia’s identity has been an integral part of her founder journey. “I initially felt I needed to present myself in a certain way to be accepted, but I’ve learned the importance of being unapologetically myself,” she shares. This authenticity has become a cornerstone of her leadership style. “I used to think activism was a moral obligation, but now I believe that thriving in my existence and being successful is the best way to support my community.”

While she acknowledges the challenges of discrimination, Nadia remains focused on the positive impact she can make. “For all the ‘cool kids’ out there in Silicon Valley out there, there are twenty people who love working with me for who I am.” Despite the challenges, she feels fortunate to be in a position where she can fulfill her potential. “I’m in the perfect place in history to make a difference. It’s an awesome time to be alive.”