A Harvard-trained lawyer, Crystal learned to invest from Peter Thiel and began her venture career in 2012 at a growth-stage venture capital fund backed by Thiel. There, she spent seven years investing in growth-stage startups, held board positions at Neurable, Siren Care, and DoubleDutch (acq. Cvent), and was deeply involved in the fund's 2012 investment in Palantir.
In 2019, Crystal launched her first early-stage fund under the name Anathem Ventures, later rebranding as Aloft VC. At Aloft, Crystal serves on the boards of Aloft portfolio companies Cooler Heads and Focus Motion, and as a board observer at Siren Care.
Prior to her career in venture capital, Crystal graduated with honors from Yale College and Harvard Law School, and practiced securities law at global law firms Davis Polk & Wardwell and Morrison & Foerster.
Prior to her legal career, Crystal was also a successful award-winning actress, starring on the hit television series The Wonder Years alongside her sister, Danica McKellar.
Crystal chose a career in venture capital because she believes great technology in the hands of the right founders is the best path for solving our nation's greatest challenges in healthcare, financial well being, and national security, while delivering massive returns to early investors.