Clifford M. | Leland

Clifford Maxwell

5.0

(2)

Studied at Harvard Business School

Works at Vocation

Available Saturday at 4:00 PM UTC

Protected by the Leland Experience Guarantee

Available Saturday at 4:00 PM UTC

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About Clifford

I'm the CEO of Vocation, an AI talent management and career coaching platform. I am a former early-stage VC, as well as former Chief of Staff to Clayton Christensen, the late HBS Professor who developed 'disruptive innovation'. I have an MBA from Harvard Business School, EE degree from BYU, and began my career in CPU design engineering before I moved into education research at the Clayton Christensen Institute. Once I realized that I wasn't the only professional with a winding career I decided to build a startup that helps individuals get unstuck and helps organizations better manage talent.

Why do I coach?

I coach because my life's work is to help individuals make progress! I have been fortunate enough to receive guidance and mentorship from some of the world's leading minds, and in my own way I want to pay it forward and help individuals who feel stuck.

Work Experience

co-founder and CEO

Vocation

July 2025 - Present

AI talent management and career coaching

Board Observer

Reflexivity

May 2023 - July 2025

Principal

Rose Park Advisors

August 2022 - July 2025

Rose Park is a specialized investment / venture capital firm that applies the frameworks of disruptive innovation when selecting investment opportunities.

Investor

Ahren Innovation

June 2020 - August 2022

Ahren invests in exceptional founders innovating at the intersection of deep-tech and deep science. Invested in Phaidra, an AI co-pilot for industrial operations, and sourced deals in the AI, Robotics, and Climate sectors.

Partnerships

Neighbor

May 2020 - August 2020

Managed and developed partnerships within the commercial and industrial real estate sector, resulting in thousands of dollars in additional annual revenue. Developed a market map of potential partnership opportunities within 'Space-as-a-Service', working with prop-tech investors, landlords, and other real estate partners.