The Chief of Staff Podcast Transitioning From VC to Chief of Staff with Sharlene Guiriba
Aug 14, 2025
Sharlene Guiriba, Executive Chief of Staff at Coverdash and former early-stage VC, shares her journey from venture capital to the Chief of Staff role. She discusses the power of leveraging VC connections and using case studies during interviews. Sharlene highlights the evolution from tactical tasks to strategic initiatives at Coverdash. She also addresses the importance of emotional intelligence in conflict resolution and the necessity of clear communication in fast-paced startup environments, using tools to maintain team alignment.
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VC Network Led Her To Coverdash
- Sharlene used her VC network to find chief of staff roles and got introduced to Coverdash through a friend at Cameron Ventures.
- She completed a formal interview and case study to confirm fit and collaborate with the founders.
Leverage Warm VC Connections Strategically
- Check for a warm connection before emailing VCs and use LinkedIn to find mutual contacts tied to relevant investment theses.
- Reach out with a targeted ask: explain why a portfolio company appeals to you and request an intro to the hiring manager or talent lead.
Use Case Studies To Test Fit
- Use case studies in interviews to confirm you enjoy the work and to demonstrate how you'd collaborate with founders.
- Look for chemistry and whether your opinions are heard, not just polite agreement during the process.