Danielle Hill (Upward)

Overview

Danielle Hill is a prominent figure in the financial technology sector, recognized as the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Upward, a Seattle-based fintech startup. Known for her innovative approach to financial services, particularly in creating accessible financial products for underrepresented groups, she has made significant strides in the fintech industry overall. Before co-founding Upward, Hill held various strategic roles in companies such as Remitly, where she helped streamline operations and enhance customer service, shaping her into a pioneer in fintech.

Recent Developments

November 2025: Upward, under the leadership of Danielle Hill as COO, announced a successful $8 million Series Seed+ funding round. The funding was spearheaded by Dundee Venture Capital and Breakwater Ventures Fund, with participation from several other notable investors. The partnership with Mastercard aims to revolutionize how companies can launch and operate financial products rapidly, emphasizing speed, innovation, and compliance. Hill expressed her ambitions to push boundaries in fintech innovation by empowering companies to unleash their potential through embedded financial systems.
April 2023: After Upward's inception in 2021, Hill has expanded the startup's reach by cultivating partnerships and overseeing the development of its robust fintech platform. The company now processes over $10 million in monthly payment volumes, serving niche markets such as independent workers and small businesses. This development marks significant growth, facilitated by the platform's ability to integrate multiple financial functions seamlessly.
February 2023: Upward has been forefront in the fintech community, owing much of its progress to Hill's leadership. Her focus on inclusivity and accessibility in fintech has positioned Upward to address challenges faced by immigrants and newcomers to the financial systems of the United States.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Danielle Hill
Born	Data not publicly available
Nationality	American
Occupation	COO of Upward
Known For	Co-founding Upward, leadership in fintech innovation
Net Worth	Not publicly disclosed
Education	BA in Business Administration from Washington State University

Early Life and Education

Danielle Hill has roots steeped in financial and operational management. Raised with a strong emphasis on education, she attended Washington State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Her academic pursuit was marked by a keen interest in management and operations, which laid a sturdy foundation for her future endeavors in fintech. Her early career included roles that allowed her to develop an extensive understanding of strategic management and financial operations, which later proved invaluable in her business ventures.

Career and Notable Achievements

Danielle Hill's career trajectory is characterized by her strategic roles in leading financial organizations and her influential impact in the fintech industry.

Early Career: Hill managed various administrative and technical responsibilities at Farmers Insurance, furthering her expertise in operations.
Amazon Operations Manager (2013): Hill's role involved working closely with the policy governance and global product quality business team, developing standard operating procedures.
Remitly (2015-2021): Serving as Director of Risk Programs and eventually the head of global operations, Hill was instrumental in ensuring customer service excellence and aligning company policies with international financial compliance standards.
Co-founding of Upward (2021): Alongside Aaron Gregory, Hill's vision of simplifying financial product offerings was realized through Upward, a fintech platform that integrates payment, banking, and compliance tools in a user-friendly format.

Current Work and Impact

In her current role as COO of Upward, Danielle Hill remains a pivotal force in shaping the startup's strategic direction and growth. The company's innovative platform is increasingly becoming a go-to choice for businesses looking to offer seamless financial products. Under Hill's leadership, Upward is pushing the envelope in fintech, focusing on scalability, inclusivity, and accessibility—key areas that align with industry trends towards democratization of financial services.

Conclusion

Danielle Hill's impact in the fintech sector is notable for her pioneering approach to creating accessible and inclusive financial technologies. Her leadership at Upward is not only reshaping how financial products are developed and deployed but also setting new standards for flexibility and compliance in fintech solutions. As the industry continues to evolve, Hill's vision for Upward and her commitment to pushing financial boundaries are likely to leave a lasting legacy in fintech innovation.