Clifford Maxwell
5.0
(2)
How to get started as a new Chief of Staff
Studied at Harvard Business School
Works at Vocation
Available Saturday at 4:00 PM UTC
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Clifford's Coaching Offerings
Custom hourly · $100/hr
Clifford’s Chief of Staff Qualifications
Experience level: Manager
I was the Chief of Staff to the late professor Clayton Christensen at Harvard Business School. I know what it takes to build systems and manage priorities for high-pressure environments and leadership.
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.
Chief of Staff to Clayton Christensen
Innosight
June 2017 - August 2019
Right-hand to the world's leading management and innovation thinker. Managed consulting, teaching, speaking, investment, and research efforts.
Education
Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Gordon B. Hinckley Presidential Scholar
Harvard Business School
Master of Business Administration - MBA
2019 - 2021
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