Bio
Jennifer Azapian is an accomplished advisor to private and public companies and their executives and boards. With more than 15 years of experience in HR strategy and business advisory across technology verticals and financial services, Jennifer has developed deep expertise in helping businesses scale and prepare for exit.
Her primary areas of focus as a startup and scaleup advisor are business and funding strategy, HR and organizational planning, with a specialty in the areas of Compensation, Incentive and Performance Strategies.
Jennifer has also been an investor and investment committee member at the venture capital firms Mighty Capital and Loyal VC. In her capacity as an investor she has been responsible for sourcing, diligence, and investing in deals as a Partner, Venture Partner, and Board Observer. She currently serves as Board Observer at Mighty Capital portfolio company Bluedot Innovation.
Since 2010, Jennifer has advised and consulted to both private and public companies and their Boards including Particle Media (NewsBreak), Digital Currency Group and its subsidiaries, Crux Informatics, Schlumberger Technology Innovation Center, Vendavo, Kixeye, Medrio, and confidential projects and engagements for US and multinational technology companies, as well as CVC’s and corporate innovation centers.
Jennifer began her career as employee #10 at Virgin America, managing the highly complex HR Operations function through the airline’s scaleup and launch. In this position she was responsible for her function’s annual budget process, HR technology and services RFP, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and implementation, as well as strategy and design of a full suite of Compensation and Benefits programs, and maintaining compliance and policy in the highly regulated airline industry.
Jennifer holds an AB from Dartmouth College, an MBA from INSEAD, Compensation Committee Certification from the Economic Research Institute, and Certification in Private Company Governance from the Private Directors Association. She is currently based in Palo Alto, California, and is open to coaching, advisory, and board service across geographies.
Additional activities include EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) at The INSEAD SF Hub for Innovation, the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship at Dartmouth College, High Alpha, Alchemist Accelerator, Founder Institute, Dartmouth Angels, INSEAD Silicon Valley Angels. Jennifer has also frequently served as a panelist, judge, or pitch coach at startup and VC events.