Member since February 2024
Fatima [Surname] is an advisor to the Future of Work Council at Harvard Business Review, where she helps shape thinking on how work, technology, and talent are evolving. She brings more than a decade of experience turning emerging technology into commercial outcomes across enterprise software, private-equity-backed operations, and early-stage AI.
As Head of Product Strategy at UKG, the Hellman & Friedman–backed HCM company, she led innovation and M&A — guiding more than $2B in acquisitions and building strategic partnerships with the largest tech platforms, including Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Her partnership work broke co-sell records to tune of $200M in the first year and expanded UKG's reach across the hyperscaler ecosystem.
Today she is President of Chrysalis Labs, an advisory practice that helps AI founders turn raw technical capability into fundable, sellable products. She also advises hedge funds and private equity firms on the future of work and the trajectory of AI.
I absolutely adore haute couture; it's a secret love of mine. In my cozy corner that I affectionately call my "atelier" (it's really just my office), I spend precious moments goldsmithing. And when I'm not doing that, you can find me lost in the magical world of Zen and Sufi poetry.
What's not so secret about me is my passion for mentoring young women in tech, especially women of color. It's incredibly close to my heart, offering guidance and support in ways I once needed myself. I'm also incredibly passionate about coaching startup founders. Their boundless energy and zest are just infectious—I can't help but feel energized around them!
There's so many!
During my salary negotiation talks I tell the story about my first time negotiating an offer. I was happy at my company at the time, so I decided to throw out what I thought was a ridiculous number - 30% above my current pay. My (then future) boss agreed immediately, and I accepted. After I had signed the paperwork I asked him if I had asked for more would he have given it to me, and he said he would not of hesitated! That was the last time I left money on the table.
One of my favorite stories is of the day I became an entrepreneur. I had been coaching and mentoring a lot of people coming up in tech and early stage entrepreneurs for some time. A friend of mine runs a non-profit and sent out a request for trainers. I responded that I would love to help, and excitedly went over all the ways I had been coaching people and she nervously said "This sounds amazing, but I can only pay you $X right now." My immediate response was, "Wait, there's money?!" That was the day I realized I could make a living doing what I love to do, and I have been grateful every day since. (Thanks Mary!!)
I'll take you on my personal rollercoaster of founding three startups and facing just as many failures. From a humbling defeat at SXSW with my first VR venture, to a web3 platform caught in the NFT market crash, and a cybersecurity innovation struggling to find product-market fit amidst economic challenges, I've lived through it all. This talk is about the gritty reality of entrepreneurship, learning to ride the waves of hype and hardship, and finding the silver lining in every mistake to forge a path to success.
Discover strategies for integrating emerging technologies into your product development, ensuring your offerings remain relevant and competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Examine the critical intersection of AI and cybersecurity, highlighting how advanced technologies are both bolstering defenses and presenting new challenges in digital security.
Delve into the transformative trends shaping the future of work, emphasizing digital innovation, remote work dynamics, and the skills needed for tomorrow's workforce.
Learn effective salary negotiation techniques that empower professionals to confidently advocate for their value and secure the compensation they deserve.
Gain insights into creating impactful pitch decks that resonate with investors, focusing on clarity, vision, and the mindset behind successful investment decisions.
Explore the essentials of securing startup capital, from identifying the right funding sources to understanding what investors are really looking for in promising ventures.
There's so many!
During my salary negotiation talks I tell the story about my first time negotiating an offer. I was happy at my company at the time, so I decided to throw out what I thought was a ridiculous number - 30% above my current pay. My (then future) boss agreed immediately, and I accepted. After I had signed the paperwork I asked him if I had asked for more would he have given it to me, and he said he would not of hesitated! That was the last time I left money on the table.
One of my favorite stories is of the day I became an entrepreneur. I had been coaching and mentoring a lot of people coming up in tech and early stage entrepreneurs for some time. A friend of mine runs a non-profit and sent out a request for trainers. I responded that I would love to help, and excitedly went over all the ways I had been coaching people and she nervously said "This sounds amazing, but I can only pay you $X right now." My immediate response was, "Wait, there's money?!" That was the day I realized I could make a living doing what I love to do, and I have been grateful every day since. (Thanks Mary!!)
I'll take you on my personal rollercoaster of founding three startups and facing just as many failures. From a humbling defeat at SXSW with my first VR venture, to a web3 platform caught in the NFT market crash, and a cybersecurity innovation struggling to find product-market fit amidst economic challenges, I've lived through it all. This talk is about the gritty reality of entrepreneurship, learning to ride the waves of hype and hardship, and finding the silver lining in every mistake to forge a path to success.
Discover strategies for integrating emerging technologies into your product development, ensuring your offerings remain relevant and competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Examine the critical intersection of AI and cybersecurity, highlighting how advanced technologies are both bolstering defenses and presenting new challenges in digital security.
Delve into the transformative trends shaping the future of work, emphasizing digital innovation, remote work dynamics, and the skills needed for tomorrow's workforce.
Learn effective salary negotiation techniques that empower professionals to confidently advocate for their value and secure the compensation they deserve.
Gain insights into creating impactful pitch decks that resonate with investors, focusing on clarity, vision, and the mindset behind successful investment decisions.
Explore the essentials of securing startup capital, from identifying the right funding sources to understanding what investors are really looking for in promising ventures.