Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nicole Shanahan

Discover the career path of Nicole Shanahan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Nicole Shanahan is an American attorney and entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley. She gained prominence as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate during his 2024 presidential campaign. Her background encompasses both legal expertise and entrepreneurial ventures, positioning her at the intersection of technology, law, and politics. Shanahan's involvement in the presidential campaign highlights her increasing role in the political landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2016: Contribution to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign

In 2016, Nicole Shanahan made contributions to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

2018: Funding of the Center for Female Reproductive Longevity and Equality

In 2018, Nicole Shanahan helped fund and launch the Center for Female Reproductive Longevity and Equality within the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.

December 2019: Co-hosted fundraiser for Pete Buttigieg

In December 2019, Nicole Shanahan co-hosted a fundraiser for Pete Buttigieg, along with other wealthy Silicon Valley figures.

2019: Establishment of Bia-Echo Foundation

In 2019, Nicole Shanahan established a private foundation, Bia-Echo, to promote research to lengthen the human reproductive lifespan.

2019: Pledge to contribute $100 million through Bia-Echo

In 2019, Nicole Shanahan pledged to contribute $100 million through Bia-Echo over five years, mostly for reproductive longevity research. She has criticized in vitro fertilization (IVF).

2020: Sale of ClearAccessIP

In 2020, Nicole Shanahan sold her legal tech company, ClearAccessIP, to IPwe in exchange for an estimated $20 million in IPwe stock.

2020: Contributions to Measure J and George Gascón's campaign

In 2020, Nicole Shanahan was a "major donor" to Measure J, a criminal justice reform referendum in Los Angeles County. Also in 2020, she contributed $150,000 to support George Gascón's campaign for Los Angeles County District Attorney.

2020: Support for Joe Biden's campaign

In 2020, after Joe Biden became the presumptive nominee, Nicole Shanahan supported his campaign, contributing $25,000 to the Biden Victory Fund and a five-figure sum to the Democratic National Committee.

2021: Contribution to Bia-Echo foundation

In 2021, Sergey Brin, then-husband of Nicole Shanahan, made another contribution to the Bia-Echo foundation.

2022: Donation to Blue Meridian Partners

In 2022, Nicole Shanahan gave $70 million to Blue Meridian Partners, which makes grants to nonprofits that aim to help the impoverished.

January 2023: Investment in Linus Biotechnology, Inc.

In January 2023, Nicole Shanahan invested in Linus Biotechnology, Inc. (LinusBio) during a venture funding round.

May 2023: Donation to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign

In May 2023, Nicole Shanahan donated the maximum of $6,600 to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.

2023: Focus on autism research

In a 2023 interview, Nicole Shanahan said that finding a "cure to autism" was an additional focus of Bia-Echo, and estimated that she spent 60% of her time researching autism.

March 2024: Considered as a potential running mate

In March 2024, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy confirmed that Nicole Shanahan was on the candidate's "short list" of potential running mates.

March 2024: Named as running mate

In March 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named Nicole Shanahan as his running mate in his presidential campaign. Shanahan has questioned the scientific consensus on vaccine safety and efficacy.

March 26, 2024: Announcement as vice presidential selection

On March 26, 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. formally announced Nicole Shanahan as his selection for vice president during a campaign event in Oakland, California.

May 2024: Divergent views

In May 2024, Nicole Shanahan and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed divergent views. Shanahan suggested that the campaign was intended to force a contingent election in the House of Representatives, a suggestion Kennedy disavowed.

August 2024: Limited ballot access

By August 2024, the Kennedy/Shanahan campaign had gained ballot access in only 16 of the 50 states, representing 140 of the 538 electoral votes.

August 20, 2024: Consideration of joining forces with Trump

On August 20, 2024, Nicole Shanahan said that the Kennedy campaign had discussions with the Trump campaign, and that she and Kennedy were considering whether to drop out of the race and join forces with Trump.

August 27, 2024: Interview on NewsNation

On August 27, 2024, Chris Cuomo interviewed Nicole Shanahan on NewsNation regarding Kennedy's endorsement of Trump. Shanahan specifically stated that she is not a Harris Democrat or a Trump Republican.

2024: Bankruptcy of IPwe

In 2024, IPwe, the company to which Nicole Shanahan sold ClearAccessIP, went bankrupt.

2024: Running mate in 2024 presidential campaign

In 2024, Nicole Shanahan was Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate in his presidential campaign.

2024: Richest vice presidential candidate

In 2024, Nicole Shanahan was considered the richest candidate for vice president in at least 50 years. She gave almost $19 million on the Kennedy/Shanahan campaign, a small portion of her wealth.

2024: Donation to Super Bowl Ad

In early 2024, Nicole Shanahan reversed course and resumed backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Through Planeta Management LLC, she donated $4 million to a super PAC to pay for a 30-second television Super Bowl ad, aired during Super Bowl LVIII, supporting the campaign.

January 28, 2025: Threats of political retribution

On January 28, 2025, Nicole Shanahan released a video on X where she threatened political retribution against any senator who didn't vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.