Ms. Blackshear's prior experience includes working as a Partner at Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP, running its Nashville office. In 2011, Ms. Blackshear was recognized by the Nashville Post as being one of Nashville's top 101 lawyers. Prior to her legal career, Ms. Blackshear worked as a venture capitalist for five years at Council Ventures, LP, where she was part of a four-person team investing a $52 million fund. Preceding her venture capital work, Ms. Blackshear worked as a corporate valuation consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ms. Blackshear was appointed by former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen to, and served as a commissioner for nine years on, the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. As well, she served for eight years on the Board of Directors of Market Matters, Inc., an independent, not-for-profit international development organization.