A Guide with Real World Operating Experience

Whether you’re navigating product-market fit in unfamiliar terrain, expanding into new countries, or trying to nail your go-to-market positioning, growth is more than just speed. It requires reading signals, adapting to conditions and clear navigation.

My expertise comes from 20+ years helping companies scale from seed to IPO — Google, Pinterest, Omaze, and 10+ startup companies focused on AI (Hedra.com, Highlight.ing, Character.ai). This included partnerships work across 50 countries and growing Pinterest’s user base from 80m -> 450m+ and 0 -> 1 market and product launches in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

I’ve spent decades working with climate organization to build solutions that last (Rare.org, Turn Reuse, Carbon Counts, SeaTrees, and the Surfrider Foundation).

The Wayfinder Approach

Navigating natural terrain and scaling businesses requires the same fundamental skills. You gather multiple signals, assess changing conditions, and adapt your route. You commit to to a direction while staying ready to pivot.

I’ve spent 20+ years on consumer technology across 50+ countries and lifetime in dynamic outdoor environments — surfing, skiing, diving, sailing, backcountry. Both taught me that sustainable scaling isn’t about speed at all costs. It’s about reading the environment, respecting the conditions, and building for the long term.

This is how I approach my work with AI startups and climate organizations.

Who I work with

Technology Companies (Seed to Series C)

• Product-market-fit

• Go-to-market (partnerships, sales, marketing)

• Strategic partnerships & business development

• Generative AI strategy & implementation

Recent clients include AI video generation platforms, AI productivity tools, consumer genAI, and reusables with embedded hardware & incentive-based software.

Climate & Conservation Organizations

• Community-based conservation in regenerative agriculture and fisheries

• AI product development

• New product definition for memberships and monetization

• Impact measurement and growth

Clients include organizations working on fisheries conservation, kelp reforestation and mangrove restoration, coastal protection, and sustainable economic development.

Venture Capital and Universities

• Network operating partner for Santa Barbara Venture Partners

• Network operating partner for ScOps Venture Capital

• Referred to clients from a16z and Khosla Ventures

• Advisory board for Berkeley APEC Study Center at UC Berkeley

• Start-up advisor for the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara

How We Work Together

FRACTIONAL EXECUTIVE

• Hands-on-execution, building and leading initiatives, metrics ownership

• 2-3 days per week over 3-12 months with defined targets

Past examples

• Led enterprise sales and GTM to land deals of $xxm and xx% of revenue

• Led all partnerships (SaaS, platform, new products) reducing annual burn by $xxm

• Developed marketing strategy (brand foundations, positioning)

• Built first of a kind AI agent for agricultural communities

ADVISORY

• 5 hours per month over 12 months

• GTM strategy (growth model, channel selection, product marketing)

• Product strategy (product design, user definition, growth optimization)

• International expansion (market selection, org design, international product)

• Investor relations (VC vetting and intros, investor material and call prep)

Past examples

• Product strategy and investor preparation for AI personal aesthetic company

• Investor preparation for b2b AI SaaS company