Longleaf Angels

The people behind Longleaf

What we bring to the table

Three different paths. Three distinct perspectives. One shared belief that better investment decisions come from bringing the right experience to the table.

Julie Hussey, founding partner of Longleaf Angels

Julie Hussey

Founding Partner

She pays attention to where founders lean in.

Founder.

Founded three businesses spanning infrastructure communications, collaborative workspace, and community-building, and currently leads her family's real estate consulting firm, Cofer and Company.

Investor.

Believes in the value of more investors writing smaller checks, a philosophy shaped by her own start with a $1,000 angel investment and since reflected in investments alongside others in more than 70 companies and 12 funds.

Communicator.

Built South Carolina's first communications firm focused on transportation infrastructure projects and brings that experience to making complex ideas more relatable and easier to share.

Board leader.

Has served in board and leadership roles across civic, education, and community organizations, with responsibility for overseeing million- and multi-million-dollar budgets and assets.

Diane Szoke, founding partner of Longleaf Angels

Diane Szoke

Founding Partner

She knows what it feels like to be on both sides of the table.

Founder.

Built a machine learning platform designed to match people with neighborhoods where they would thrive. The company expanded internationally and was later acquired.

Investor.

Led operations at an established Southeast angel group, with a close view into how diligence, member relationships, portfolio continuity, and the day-to-day investor experience shape a strong investing community.

Operator.

Joined Interbrand as its third employee and helped grow the business 15x before acquisition, leading operations as it became one of the world's leading global brand consultancies, with work spanning brand strategy, naming, and identity across industries.

Ecosystem.

Helps deploy state-matched early-stage capital across South Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi while building connections among founders, investors, and regional ecosystem partners.

Lenna Macdonald, founding partner of Longleaf Angels

Lenna Macdonald

Founding Partner

She looks for founders who can deliver under pressure.

Executive.

Has worked across public and private companies in functional and chief executive roles, with experience delivering growth and shareholder value across multiple industries.

Investor.

Brings a disciplined approach to early-stage investing centered on post-revenue traction, credible leadership, efficient due diligence, and deal-by-deal investor choice.

Strategist.

Has built her career around companies at inflection points, helping translate strategy, organizational design, and legal frameworks into executable plans for growth.

Board leader.

Has served in board roles where strong founder relationships created the opportunity to contribute directly to the development and execution of company strategy.

Good investing is collaborative.

Longleaf was built around the idea that good judgment gets stronger when experience is shared.