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Business Leader & Brand Expert

Mandana Dayani is a business leader and brand architect who has built and scaled some of the most influential consumer brands across entertainment, media, fashion, and technology.

Her work sits at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and strategy - transforming ideas into movements that capture global audiences.

As President of Archewell, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, Mandana oversaw projects that topped every category: the #1 documentary on Netflix, the #1 podcast on Spotify, and the #1 autobiography published by Penguin Random House. Her unique ability to connect brand strategy with cultural relevance made Archewell one of the most talked-about platforms in the world.

Her career began in law, talent representation, and production before she turned to building consumer-facing businesses. At Rachel Zoe, Inc., Mandana launched the company’s consumer products, digital media business, and investment arm, while producing its hit Bravo series. Later, as Chief Brand Officer of EBTH, she raised $84 million in venture funding and executive produced its HGTV show, scaling the company into a category leader.

Mandana’s expertise lies in reaching Gen Z, millennial, and women consumers through digital-first strategies, celebrity partnerships, and cross-platform storytelling. She has generated billions of impressions for the brands she has led, seamlessly blending behavioral science, cultural insights, and creativity to drive growth.

A man and woman sitting courtside at a sports event with a crowd in the background. The man wears a white hoodie that says 'I am a voter.' and has earrings. The woman wears hoop earrings, a blue top with ruffles, and a tan jacket, holding a patterned clutch.
Cover of Hollywood Reporter magazine featuring actress Rachel Zoë in a black and gold patterned outfit, with blonde hair, against a green leafy background. Headlines include 'Rachel Zoë's Fashion Empire', and articles about Charlie Sheen, lawyering, and SXSW.
Screenshot of a news article from Fortune titled "Meghan and Harry's Archewell hires Mandana Dayani as first President of Company," featuring a black and white photo of a woman with dark hair, wearing a white blazer.
Billboard advertisements in Times Square featuring the podcast "Archetypes with Meghan."
A woman with long wavy hair smiling and sitting on a chair, wearing a T-shirt that reads 'I'm a voter.'

Beyond her executive leadership, Mandana advises major brands, invests in women-led companies, and serves on several boards. Through her agency, she partners with global businesses across biotech, entertainment, fashion, beauty, and technology—as well as prominent world leaders—guiding them from concept to execution.

What sets her apart is her ability to transform single-entity brands into global powerhouses, using multi-channel strategies that span content, merchandise, partnerships, and entertainment deals.

Garde Ventures

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Founded by Mandana Dayani, Garde Ventures incubates, accelerates, and invests in brands that shape culture. We back visionary founders who move people to take action - using what we know about mobilization, storytelling, and community to fuel businesses that matter most.

Our approach is grounded in partnership, innovation, and coalition building. We apply the same strategies that have mobilized millions and shaped global conversations to help founders accelerate growth, unlock new markets, and create brands that endure.

At Garde, we bring a unique perspective: we work within culture to create authentic, consequential change. We seek out companies that push boundaries—leveraging groundbreaking, impactful, and disruptive tactics to expand brand awareness while delivering positive social impact.

We are hands-on partners. Having built movements from kitchen tables to national stages, we know real work starts face-to-face, boots on the ground. We roll up our sleeves alongside founders to build lasting, culture-shaping businesses.

At the forefront of innovation, Garde Ventures partners with founders who are creating solutions, driving change, and meeting the moment.

Our portfolio reflects our belief that brands can both shape culture and drive positive change - spanning beauty, wellness, fashion, lifestyle, and technology, each led by visionary founders reimagining their industries.

Investments & Advisory Work

  • A bar of soap with the words 'Flamingo Estate' embossed on it, placed on tomatoes, with a green tomato on top.

    FLAMINGO ESTATE

    A California-born lifestyle brand rooted in regenerative farming practices. From farm-grown produce to elevated home and kitchen products, Flamingo Estate celebrates nature, pleasure, and sustainability.

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair and bangs, wearing a white off-shoulder top, posing with crossed hands over her chest, and looking at the camera. The text "VIOLET GREY" is overlaid on the image.

    VIOLET GREY

    A highly curated destination for luxury beauty, offering makeup, skincare, haircare, and wellness products hand-selected and approved by industry experts.
    (Exited 2022)

  • Three women smiling and holding skincare products against an orange background, with the words "Live TINTED" overlayed.

    LIVE TINTED

    A women-founded, women-owned beauty brand changing the narrative by celebrating inclusive beauty and uniting all tinted skin tones.

  • Collection of K18 hair care products including shampoos, sprays, and treatments, with a DNA helix in the background.

    K18

    A biotech haircare brand whose patented molecular repair formula reverses damage from bleach, color, chemical services, and heat - in just four minutes. Sustainable, science-backed, and category-defining.
    (Exited 2023)

  • A hand holding a white cup of coffee with foam on top, placed on a white saucer on a wooden table. In the background, there is a beige mesh bag and a magazine titled 'Cove Culturale' with a dark cover. Text overlay reads 'Clevr' with a sunburst graphic.

    ClEVR BLENDS

    Clevr Blends’ drinks are made of science-backed formulas of lower caffeine, healthy fats, l-theanine and adaptogens to ease jitters, afternoon crashes & boost your bodies natural energy reserves.

  • Multiple laboratory glass bottles and test tubes with yellow and clear liquids, arranged on a lab counter, overlaid with the word 'ARCADE' in bold white letters.

    ARCAEA

    A female-founded biotech beauty company creating breakthrough ingredients and product experiences through biology. Backed by Ginkgo Bioworks, Chanel, Olaplex, and other leading investors, Arcaea is reshaping the future of beauty.