HUMAN-CENTRIC EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
ADVISOR & COACH TO FOUNDERS & TEAMS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER & CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR
AJ
THOMAS
INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
What exactly is the adventure we'll go on if we decide to embark on it together? You'll find in me someone who is passionate about identifying, designing, and building the leaders and organizations of tomorrow.
This is my own definition of meaningful work.
A lot of what fuels my interests and passions intersects at bridging the gaps in talent, culture, and purpose. The result of what I do moves people and organizations forward to create a future of infinite possibilities.
A SHORT BIO
AJ Thomas is the founder of Infuse Program Foundation, a non-profit providing entrepreneurial education and experiences to underrepresented youth in East Side San Jose, and is currently the Chief Explorer and Board Advisor at BrainCandy Labs, powered by Women in Technology International. Her experience includes several roles that have spanned across sales, support engineering, product & design, and human resource and leadership. Her unique journey also includes deep experience in executive and leadership capacities most recently serving in C-Level positions such as Vice President of People & Culture, CHRO, and Head of Talent roles at several enterprise technologies and startup companies. Serving in these roles and tours of duty has allowed AJ to be a key contributor to developing talent for the future and has shaped her unique approach to coaching and leadership.
As a lifelong learner, her foundational fields of study span a combination of disciplines in business, integrated change management, organizational development, and leadership. Currently, she's enrolled in the executive MBA program focused on Venture Capital and Private Equity at Columbia University in New York. AJ is also a Certified Executive Coach from UC Berkeley and the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
CONTRIBUTIONS
01.
LEADEROLOGY | LIGHTS, CAMERA, LEADERSHIP DOCUMENTARY
AJ Thomas is a Chaos Pilot and Head of Talent at X, Moonshot Factory, as well as a philanthropist and coach. If that wasn’t enough, she also co-authored a children’s book, Courage Takes Flight, with her daughter. AJ shares the courage it took for her to release her old identity as a first-generation immigrant during her U.S. Citizenship Ceremony...and the battle cry she has since adopted.
02.
FORBES HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL
CULTURE MATTERS
Do we really know what makes toxicity acceptable in the workplace? In my observation of several high- and low-performing teams and organizations, leaders have a lion's share of responsibility in identifying and addressing toxic behavior that ultimately affects the organization's bottom line.
03.
Using Design Thinking to Transform Your People Strategies
In this work sample, I break down the steps to transform your People team from an administrative function to a product-driven organization. Send me a note and I can give you access to the framework I used and taught to the Silicon Valley HR Network.
04.
PODCAST: FOUNDED BY WOMEN
In this podcast, I share my perspectives on becoming a first-time founder of Infuse Program Foundation and repeat founder and chief explorer at BrainCandy Labs, powered by Women In Technology International. I also share some stories about what has influenced my approach and perspectives as a founder and some hard lessons learned as a first-generation immigrant in the United States.
06.
ADVISORY AND COACHING
Founded WSDM Labs an advisory and coaching practice trusted by human-centered leaders from leading companies in dynamic industries: from startup, venture-backed, enterprise technology, finance, and web 3.0. Consider us an accelerant in your toolkit providing coaching, strategy advisory, and facilitated experiences for the world's most human-centered leaders and life-long learners.
