Founding Executive, Head of People, and Chief Operating Officer Building the People and Operating Infrastructure from Zero to IPO
For more than a decade, I have built the operating rhythm, financial discipline, and people systems that let high-growth companies scale without losing their footing. From biotech through a public listing to global luxury, software, and venture, the industries change. The work does not.
ONE METHOD, four sectors
Founded the People and operations function, then took the company from 15 to 150+ people through a NASDAQ listing, including the governance it demands, multi-country compensation architecture, and the integration plan for a $30M acquisition that kept 95% of key talent.
Engineered multi-entity workforce governance, executive bench strength, and total rewards programs, unifying distinct operating cultures from corporate headquarters to artisan craft to the retail floor, and taking a global luxury house from ad hoc to investor-ready.
Ran finance, operations, HR, sales, account management, and investor relations as COO through a seed round, a pivot, and growth from 5 to 60 people.
Ran ecosystem events and event sales end to end with a 30-person team and its own budget, and HR for all 185 people at a venture fund and accelerator; then ran the investor-facing machinery at a seed-stage company: data rooms, equity, and the cadence founders owe their backers.
“She is the most resourceful person I have worked with, something I believe to be a superpower of hers. She stays calm in chaos and always keeps things running and executes quickly, no matter the circumstances.”
BUILD IT
TO SCALE,
Tell me where you are hitting friction, and I will show you where to optimize.
Currently taking on new engagements.
InquireRachann McKnight is an executive strategist centering People infrastructure and operational systems to help venture-backed companies scale predictably.