I help high-growth companies and senior leaders solve their most pressing people-related challenges.
About Me
Over the span of three decades, I have had the privilege of working in various capacities within the realm of organization development, HR consulting, and executive coaching. My journey began with a 20-year stint in organization development, where I collaborated with established organizations such as The Gap, Clorox, and PayPal.
During this period, I had the opportunity to witness the evolution of these organizations, playing an instrumental role in their growth and transformation. By employing my expertise in organization development, I helped these companies implement effective strategies, enhance team dynamics, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Recognizing the critical link between people and organizational success, I realized the significance of aligning HR practices with strategic objectives. With this insight, I transitioned into HR leadership roles, where I made significant contributions to both start-ups like Lookout and larger corporations like Intuit.
As I assumed these positions, I leveraged my extensive experience in organization development to enhance HR functions and drive impactful change. By creating robust talent acquisition and retention strategies, implementing performance management systems, and fostering employee engagement initiatives, I played a key role in building high-performing teams and nurturing a positive work culture.
Throughout my career, executive coaching has been an integral part of my work. I firmly believe that effective leadership is the cornerstone of organizational success, and coaching serves as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. By providing individualized guidance and support, I have helped numerous executives enhance their leadership skills, navigate complex challenges, and unlock their full potential. Whether it was developing emotional intelligence, refining communication abilities, or fostering strategic thinking, my executive coaching work has empowered leaders to drive meaningful change and achieve their goals.
I have a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from UC Berkeley and a Masters of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Organizational Theory from Stanford University. At Stanford, I developed my own discipline with advisors in the Business School (Industrial Engineering), and the School of Education. I completed my Integral Coach® certification through New Ventures West and was designated a Professional Coach by the International Coaching Federation in December 2023.
Ilana Tandowsky, MA PCC
Ways we can work together
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Executive Coaching
Senior leaders looking to be more impactful in their roles
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Human Capital Consulting
Startups looking for HR support - a strategic partner who can get the job done
My Clients
I work primarily with senior leaders of Fortune 500 companies (Director-level and above) as well as CEOs of Series A to C startups, providing both coaching and hands-on operational work during periods of rapid growth.
Client industries include Enterprise SaaS, R&D, Retail, and more. Client companies are funded by venture capital and private equity firms such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, Google Ventures, BlackRock, and Andreessen Horowitz.
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"Ilana and I worked together for over a year while I was leading the University Program across eBay, Inc. During that time, Ilana became my go-to thought partner on all people-related issues. She was thoughtful, resourceful, and kept me grounded when I needed it most. I loved her compassion, relied on her optimism, and so appreciated her intellectual curiosity. Ilana challenged me in the most supportive of ways and I believe I became a better leader for having her in my corner. I would welcome working with Ilana again."
Sarah McDonald
Start-up advisor and former eBay executive