Shirley Braun , Ph.D., PCC

Founder and Managing Partner

Swift Insights Inc. · San Francisco Bay Area

May 2023 – Present(3 yrs)

Coach & Organization Development advisor to leaders. • Executive Coaching • Team Coaching, and Group Facilitation. • Organization Design and Development

Fractional CPO and Leadership Adviser

StartupExperts · San Francisco Bay Area

2025 – Present(1 yr 4 mos)

StartupExperts is an invite-only community of HR, Finance, and Operations leaders. As a community of professionals we are passionate about learning, we want to build deeper relationships with our peers, and most importantly we find personal satisfaction in giving to others.

Advisor

OpenWater Group · San Francisco Bay Area

Jan 2024 – Present(2 yrs 4 mos)

OpenWater is a curated, members-only platform that builds a community of accomplished professionals with decades of experience to create new economic opportunities. Joined as an equity advisor for this privately funded company. OpenWater is addressing the challenge of how organizations lean in and reimagine an aging workforce and traditional work structures for older accomplished professionals who aren’t ready to retire.

Techstars Mentor

Techstars

Jan 2024 – Present(2 yrs 4 mos)

Mentors are an essential part of the Techstars culture. Mentors share their knowledge and guidance. USC and Techstars University Catalyst Program is a great opportunity to support early-stage founders in a 10-week, virtual pre-accelerator program from September to November.

Co-Founder

Women Impacting Women

Jun 2023 – Present(2 yrs 11 mos)

Co Founder of WIW. We support, mentor, and coqch professional women. in Tech and Biotech

Chief People Officer

Zadara

2020 – May 2023(3 yrs 5 mos)

Zadara’s vision is to build and operate the largest global Edge Cloud Network to enable innovative technologies & services that improve the way the world communicates, works, heals, travels and plays. Reporting to CEO - global people team, including recruiting, business partnerships, OD, HR operations, compensation, benefits, training, learning/development, onboarding, HRIS, employee experience, M&A and integration. Scaled the organization globally by 50% within one year, Retooled with 4 new systems, changed the performance management system to OKR and quarterly development review.

Advisory Board Member

StepAhead

Jan 2019 – Jan 2022(3 yrs 1 mo)

Step Ahead was founded with the vision of developing innovative and integrated analytics software to enable companies and organizations to overcome challenges caused by communication overload. Based on our scientific background and proprietary technology we offer an all-inclusive solution to identify time waste and drive productivity.

Chief People Officer

Callisto Media

Apr 2018 – Mar 2020(2 yrs)

We infuse data and technology with humanity to help consumers genuinely improve their lives. Reporting to the CEO, serve as a people leader for a people team of 12 employees. Focus areas include - people operations, recruiting, business partnerships, HR operations, compensation, benefits, learning/development, onboarding, HRIS, and employee experience. Scaled the organization 300% within one year. Retooled systems & processes to provide clarity & rapid scaling. Provided executive coaching to management team. Developed & rolled out new compensation philosophy, Implemented a leadership and management program.

Sr. Consultant

Future State Consulting · Oakland, CA

Jun 2016 – May 2018(2 yrs)

Consultant with expertise in Change management, Workshop Facilitation ,Executive Coaching, Process consulting, People strategy, Talent management

Founder and Managing Partner

Swift-Insights Inc. · Palo Alto, CA

2016 – 2018(2 yrs)

Advisor to leadership teams - Scaling Up Organizations, Teams and People. • Interim HR leadership role • Executive Coaching • Culture Shaping • HR Strategy • Org Design • Learning and training • Assessments, Debrief and Follow Up • Employee Experience and Engagement • Organization Development and Talent Management • Change Management https://www.swift-insights.com

VP People/ CHRO

Adverum Biotechnologies · San Francisco Bay Area

Mar 2015 – Jun 2016(1 yr 4 mos)

Adverum Biotechnologies (formerly Avalanche Biotechnologies) is a public gene therapy company committed to discovering and developing novel medicines that can offer life-changing therapeutic benefit to patients dealing with chronic or debilitating disease.The company went public in 2014 and expanded its number of employees five-fold. CHRO for Adverum Biotech. Built and led the HR function from the ground up. Responsible for all areas of People - recruiting, compensation philosophy, benefits, learning & development, rewards and recognition, talent & succession planning, performance management, executive hiring and on boarding, executive coaching and development, immigration, and internal communications.Reporting to the CEO ,and partnering with the leadership team and BOD.

Sr. Director Transformation, Organization Development & Effectiveness

PlayStation™Network - Sony Network Entertainment Int’l · San Francisco Bay Area

Feb 2013 – May 2015(2 yrs 4 mos)

$3.5 billion software company offering consumers compelling, connected entertainment experiences Partners with president and executive leadership team to understand the strategic business priorities of the organization and delivers solutions in the following areas: o Operational/organizational capabilities and effectiveness o Organization growth, scalability, change and transformation o Cross functional collaboration, and strategy alignment o Create climate and culture for change o Executive & leaders’ effectiveness and collaboration Transformed function across five geographies under unified leadership. Partner with / advise / coach senior executives in managing and driving scalable OD solutions. Spearheaded change initiatives, transforming organization, expanding capacity, and fostering high performing, positive culture. Created and updated standards and sustainable processes to attract and retain talent, support career development and business alignment

VP Global HR

Magma Design Automation (acquired by Synopsys)

2012 – 2012(Less than a year)

Recruited to lead the global HR organization. Directed all HR and OD functions for 790 global employees. Designed / implemented talent recruiting, succession planning, compensation, benefits, executive coaching and change management. Achieved 100% staff participation in new performance management process. Retained as M&A integration team member following acquisition by Synopsys to ensure smooth transition; retained 99% of staff.

VP of HR

CashEdge

2011 – 2011(Less than a year)

Built and directed new HR infrastructure for this global company. Partnered with senior executives on navigating initiatives including talent development, employee retention and performance management. Performed HR “needs assessment” to identify gaps, opportunities and strengths. Setup competitive salary structure; created performance metrics and implemented HRIS platform, meeting 100% of HR action plan goals. (Acquired by Fiserv)

Principal

Business Synergies Consulting

Jan 2009 – Dec 2010(2 yrs)

Executive coaching, Talent Management, Organization , and Leadership Development Organization Design, Team Building, Executive Coaching, Strategic Planning Founded company to provide organizations with unique solutions focused on change management, OD programs and executive coaching. Managed business development, customer relations and project completion; providing service for clients in high tech and life sciences.

HR/OD Consultant

Microsoft

Sep 2009 – Oct 2010(1 yr 2 mos)

VP HR/ Consultant

Novafora

Apr 2009 – Aug 2009(5 mos)

Managing Director Human Resources

Lam Research

Jun 2005 – May 2009(4 yrs)

Lead HR business partnerships and strategic initiatives with CEO, CFO, and SVP of Operations, Engineering, Marketing, and General Counsel. Key member of the senior leadership team for the Global Product groups, Operation Business Units, Marketing, Finance, Legal and IR. Managing a team of 10 HR professionals; supporting 2000 employees. Pioneered successful organizational development initiatives that delivered consistent and sustainable operating revenue, quality and profit improvements through dedicated efforts in corporate change management, team building, organizational development, recruitment, and pay for performance incentives.

HR Leader & Member of the Steering Group, CA & Leadership & Development leader Corp.

IKEA

Jan 2003 – Jul 2005(2 yrs 7 mos)

Hired to build and develop HR structures and processes. Directed all staffing and personnel operations. Served concurrent roles of Leadership & OD Leader and member of Executive Steering Group. Met timing and cost perimeters for onboarding 500 new employees within six months. Significantly decreased recruiting and leave time costs through implementing recruiting lifecycle process and attendance control program. Improved employee engagement, retention, productivity and customer satisfaction levels.

Head of Human Resources

Shilav

Jan 1997 – Dec 2000(4 yrs)

Recruited to setup and lead HR function for a lead retailer. Reported to the President and Chief Executive Officer. Built and managed team charged with handling full range of HR/ organizational development functions. Significantly reduced staff churn through focus on talent assessment, succession planning and management development. Partnered with executive team to facilitate corporate vision and values creation.

MANAGING PARTNER AND PRINCIPAL

Braun and Associates Consulting · U.S and Israel

Dec 1990 – Apr 1995(4 yrs 5 mos)

An organizational development and human resources consulting firm: - Human resource strategy development - Executive coaching and leadership development - Change management and transformation - HR projects

Researcher & Head of Omnibus Department

Gallup · Tel-Aviv, Israel

Jan 1989 – Dec 1990(2 yrs)

The Gallup Organization provides a variety of management consulting, and market research services. Led Omnibus operations; responsible for customer satisfaction, market research, reporting and budget.