Kayla Vatalaro
Studied at Northeastern University
Works at Coaching
Available Wednesday at 3:00 PM UTC
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About Kayla
Hi, I'm Kayla. I've spent the past decade building and scaling companies through periods of rapid growth, from early-stage startups to public companies. Along the way, I've led global talent organizations, advised executives, built high-performing teams, and helped people navigate some of the most important decisions of their careers. Before entering the business world, I was a neuroscience researcher at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital. That experience shaped how I approach coaching today: with curiosity, evidence, and a deep interest in understanding what drives human behavior and performance. My career has included leadership roles at companies such as Asana, The Trade Desk, and Flow Traders, where I worked across talent, leadership development, organizational strategy, and business operations. As an executive at Asana, I helped build and scale global teams while partnering closely with leaders across the company on hiring, performance, growth, and organizational effectiveness. Today, I coach professionals ranging from early-career talent to executives. My clients are often navigating promotions, career transitions, leadership challenges, compensation conversations, workplace dynamics, or simply trying to determine what comes next. My approach is practical, direct, and tailored to the realities of the workplace. Rather than relying on generic advice, I help clients think more clearly, make stronger decisions, and take meaningful action. Whether you're pursuing a new opportunity, stepping into leadership for the first time, or trying to unlock the next chapter of your career, my goal is simple: help you build a career that is both successful and sustainable.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know what it's like to navigate a career without a roadmap. I'm a Korean adoptee and a first-generation college graduate. I didn't start my career with an inherited professional network, family connections, or insider knowledge about how organizations work. Like many people, I spent years figuring out the unwritten rules on my own; learning how to build credibility, earn influence, advocate for myself, and navigate environments where I often felt like an outsider. That experience shaped how I see talent and potential. I've met countless people who are smart, hardworking, and capable, yet struggle to advance because nobody has explained how careers actually work. The challenge isn't always skill or effort. Often it's visibility, confidence, strategy, relationships, or understanding the dynamics that influence decisions behind closed doors. As my career progressed into leadership roles at companies like Asana and The Trade Desk, I realized that some of the most meaningful work I did wasn't building teams or organizations; it was helping people see opportunities for themselves that they couldn't yet see, navigate pivotal career moments, and make decisions that changed the trajectory of their lives. Coaching matters to me because access matters. A single conversation, insight, or shift in perspective can dramatically change someone's career and, in turn, their economic opportunities, confidence, and future options. I know the impact that support can have because I know what it feels like to build a career without it.
Work Experience
Investor Advisor
Pipeline Angels
June 2024 - Present
I invest in and support early-stage companies and funds led by women and gender-expansive founders. Only 2% of VC funding goes to all-women teams, and just 12% of check-writers are women. I focus on backing founders and fund managers working to shift that reality; one company, one fund at a time. I also support other women in building confidence and capability as investors; through SPVs and direct participation, including exposure to deal flow, due diligence, term sheets, cap tables, and investment decision-making.
Career & Leadership Coach
Coaching
January 2023 - Present
I work with startups, growth-stage companies, and nonprofits to build what they actually need to scale; clear structures, strong leadership, and people systems that hold up under pressure. As a fractional executive and advisor, I step in during moments that matter; early builds, rapid growth, and inflection points where teams begin to outpace the systems around them. A select number recent clients and collaborators include: Asana, Amazon, Anthropic, Chainalysis, Cursor, FIU, Grammarly (Superhuman), Harvard University, Roku, University of Miami, United Way, Vanta, and more. My experience spans people and talent strategy, go-to-market execution, and organizational design. I’ve led functions from the ground up across people, GTM, and social impact; including launching and scaling a $50M+ business line in three years with a lean team and top-performing results. The work is hands-on, pragmatic, and focused on what actually works; not overly architected systems or generic best practices. How I work: -Fractional Chief People / Talent Officer & COO support -Leadership and professional coaching (emerging leaders, high-potential talent, mid-career professionals stepping into leadership) -Organizational, people, and social impact strategy Focus areas: -Headcount planning and organizational design -Hiring and retention strategy in competitive markets -Job leveling and role clarity -High-potential leadership development -Practical, data-informed performance systems -Culture and alignment during growth and change -Strategic talent development and employee experience -Social impact strategy and cross-sector partnerships — I also work closely with high-potential professionals; particularly those from overlooked backgrounds who are stepping into leadership or defining what’s next. The work is direct, strategic, and built around creating real momentum.
Advisor
Asana
2022 - 2023
Lead, Go-to-Market
Asana
December 2021 - December 2022
I started this new business unit and lines of business for Asana in early 2021 (collectively known as Asana Impact Growth) because I believe in the power of bringing focused GTM and social impact together. We are an incubator and an innovation hub, and most importantly we’re on a mission to accelerate our positive impact on humanity by supporting & connecting organizations working to build a better world, through our product & our people. Asana Impact Growth is a collection of GTM (AEs, CSMs, Marketing, Customer Advocacy, PLG, Strategy, Programs) and philanthropic teams targeting social impact & climate action aligned sectors. •Accelerating Asana’s social good while building a $XXM thriving global business (consecutively top performing sales team in company QoQ) •Launched Asana's first industry verticals (nonprofits, education, clean energy), and standing up new impact verticals •Leading other impact programs like Asana Advisors, crisis response & relief, and Asana for Students; learn more here: www.asana.com/esg/social/community-involvement/ •Deep partnerships with ESG, Product & PMM, IR, Brand, Community, People, and Corporate Comms •Reporting to the COO Additionally: •Citizenship & Responsibility Council Member (Asana's internal ethics Board) to integrate social impact into the heart of the business - driving both inspiring AND impactful efforts that matter •Gradient (Asana’s multicultural ERG) executive sponsor
Coach
Early Stage Investing
March 2021 - Present
Stage 2 Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in early stage B2B software companies. Stage 2 Capital leverages its deep sales expertise to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses in addition to providing capital.
Talent Aquisition and Developement Executive
Asana
January 2020 - December 2021
Leading Asana's 100+pp Global Talent Team, Social Impact Programs, & Nonprofits GTM Team. I also wear a few other hats: • Leading Asana’s company headcount scale & growth strategy • Helping maximize Asana's social good •Initiated Asana’s social impact initiative (donation matching, in-kind donations, COVID-19 relief, Ukraine relief, Pledge 1%, policy, the S of ESG, etc.) and building partnerships with organizations working to close the digital divide in tech • Citizenship and Responsibility Council chair • Gradient (Asana’s POC ERG) Executive Sponsor: Gradient cultivates community for people of color and allies at Asana through conversations, community engagement, and creating spaces for everyone's experience. Through social, educational and organizational activities our community empowers its members to develop in a safe and supportive environment that encourages Asanas to express and celebrate all aspects of what makes them a uniquely beautiful asset to the team.
Education
Northeastern University
Neuroscience, Women's Studies
A first-generation graduate, with summa cum laude honors. First scientific papers were submitted/published before finishing undergrad degree.
Harvard Business School
Biotech/Life Sciences
Left to pursue opportunity
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