The CATALYST, Founder // Principal Coach and Consultant

• 2011 - Present

The Catalyst is a boutique talent development firm. We specialize in executive coaching and retained executive search. www.thecatalyst.io We partner with organizations of all sizes to deliver talent development programs that help executives and teams hone skills, leverage influence, and expand impact. Executive Coaching: Expand the capacity of individuals to excel in leadership roles and to bring about desired results by developing the mindsets, skills, and systems… Show more The Catalyst is a boutique talent development firm. We specialize in executive coaching and retained executive search. www.thecatalyst.io We partner with organizations of all sizes to deliver talent development programs that help executives and teams hone skills, leverage influence, and expand impact. Executive Coaching: Expand the capacity of individuals to excel in leadership roles and to bring about desired results by developing the mindsets, skills, and systems necessary for organizational success. Executive Search: Identifying and supporting broad organizational hiring needs. Partnering with executives and talent teams in providing a pool of highly qualified and relevant candidates to executive and leadership roles. Executive Team Development: Our work with executive teams is focused on maximizing engagement, managing conflict, clarifying mission and vision, establishing effective communication, and identifying and implementing actionable roadmaps. To learn more please contact Rachel Bassignani, CEO Show less The Catalyst is a boutique talent development firm. We specialize in executive coaching and retained executive search. www.thecatalyst.io We partner with organizations of all sizes to deliver talent development programs that help executives and teams hone skills, leverage influence, and expand impact. Executive Coaching: Expand the capacity of individuals to excel in leadership roles and to bring about desired results by developing the mindsets, skills, and systems… Show more The Catalyst is a boutique talent development firm. We specialize in executive coaching and retained executive search. www.thecatalyst.io We partner with organizations of all sizes to deliver talent development programs that help executives and teams hone skills, leverage influence, and expand impact. Executive Coaching: Expand the capacity of individuals to excel in leadership roles and to bring about desired results by developing the mindsets, skills, and systems necessary for organizational success. Executive Search: Identifying and supporting broad organizational hiring needs. Partnering with executives and talent teams in providing a pool of highly qualified and relevant candidates to executive and leadership roles. Executive Team Development: Our work with executive teams is focused on maximizing engagement, managing conflict, clarifying mission and vision, establishing effective communication, and identifying and implementing actionable roadmaps. To learn more please contact Rachel Bassignani, CEO Show less

Affiliate Member

• Dec 2022 - Present

Advisor

• Jan 2021 - Present

Senior Executive Coach, Organization Development Consultant

• Jan 2015 - Present

As a senior executive coach and consultant at BFF, Rachel is responsible for working with senior executives across early-stage and enterprise companies. Rachel routinely supports senior leaders and teams at critical stages of growth and transformation. As an organization development consultant, Rachel focuses on initiating and executing action research and delivering a broad range of organizational assessments; working closely with and making recommendations to senior executives based on data… Show more As a senior executive coach and consultant at BFF, Rachel is responsible for working with senior executives across early-stage and enterprise companies. Rachel routinely supports senior leaders and teams at critical stages of growth and transformation. As an organization development consultant, Rachel focuses on initiating and executing action research and delivering a broad range of organizational assessments; working closely with and making recommendations to senior executives based on data and feedback. Rachel co-designs and facilitates high-touch leadership development training for our peer learning environments. She is the primary executive coach for embedded coaching programs, working with coaching rosters up to 40 executives in our key L&D accounts. For residency & advisory engagements, Rachel identifies and develops strategic change communication within client organizations. Helping focus change on the future, and to build coalitions that deliver change processes with minimal resistance or negative impact on individuals and teams. Rachel is also responsible for account management including client engagement, retention & renewals. Show less As a senior executive coach and consultant at BFF, Rachel is responsible for working with senior executives across early-stage and enterprise companies. Rachel routinely supports senior leaders and teams at critical stages of growth and transformation. As an organization development consultant, Rachel focuses on initiating and executing action research and delivering a broad range of organizational assessments; working closely with and making recommendations to senior executives based on data… Show more As a senior executive coach and consultant at BFF, Rachel is responsible for working with senior executives across early-stage and enterprise companies. Rachel routinely supports senior leaders and teams at critical stages of growth and transformation. As an organization development consultant, Rachel focuses on initiating and executing action research and delivering a broad range of organizational assessments; working closely with and making recommendations to senior executives based on data and feedback. Rachel co-designs and facilitates high-touch leadership development training for our peer learning environments. She is the primary executive coach for embedded coaching programs, working with coaching rosters up to 40 executives in our key L&D accounts. For residency & advisory engagements, Rachel identifies and develops strategic change communication within client organizations. Helping focus change on the future, and to build coalitions that deliver change processes with minimal resistance or negative impact on individuals and teams. Rachel is also responsible for account management including client engagement, retention & renewals. Show less

Head of Learning and Development

• May 2019 - Nov 2019

A focus on actively improving the efficiency and efficacy of existing L&D programs by improving the day-to-day training curriculum and developing programs operations that scale. -Identified select vendors to help design and deliver a blended learning environment to support 2019 and 2020 L&D strategies. -Worked collaboratively with senior leaders to help develop KPIs to support a data-driven L&D strategy. -Successfully leveraged KPIs and their potential improvements with a new and… Show more A focus on actively improving the efficiency and efficacy of existing L&D programs by improving the day-to-day training curriculum and developing programs operations that scale. -Identified select vendors to help design and deliver a blended learning environment to support 2019 and 2020 L&D strategies. -Worked collaboratively with senior leaders to help develop KPIs to support a data-driven L&D strategy. -Successfully leveraged KPIs and their potential improvements with a new and iterative learning design to advocate for leadership support and funding for training. -Proposed a full 2020 L&D strategy to the VP of HR and structured a program management plan to support the delivery of new and existing programs. -Developed Peer Coaching Circles and enrolled 30 members to support diversity and inclusion groups including Women@Pax and D&I@Pax. -Co-designed, managed, and facilitated two, year-long leadership development programs; participants ranging from new managers to VPs. -Responsible for facilitating workshops and delivering all 1:1 executive coaching for 30 PAX leaders in the program. All L&D programs and the L&D role were eliminated in Q4 2019 due to a company-wide reduction in workforce. Show less A focus on actively improving the efficiency and efficacy of existing L&D programs by improving the day-to-day training curriculum and developing programs operations that scale. -Identified select vendors to help design and deliver a blended learning environment to support 2019 and 2020 L&D strategies. -Worked collaboratively with senior leaders to help develop KPIs to support a data-driven L&D strategy. -Successfully leveraged KPIs and their potential improvements with a new and… Show more A focus on actively improving the efficiency and efficacy of existing L&D programs by improving the day-to-day training curriculum and developing programs operations that scale. -Identified select vendors to help design and deliver a blended learning environment to support 2019 and 2020 L&D strategies. -Worked collaboratively with senior leaders to help develop KPIs to support a data-driven L&D strategy. -Successfully leveraged KPIs and their potential improvements with a new and iterative learning design to advocate for leadership support and funding for training. -Proposed a full 2020 L&D strategy to the VP of HR and structured a program management plan to support the delivery of new and existing programs. -Developed Peer Coaching Circles and enrolled 30 members to support diversity and inclusion groups including Women@Pax and D&I@Pax. -Co-designed, managed, and facilitated two, year-long leadership development programs; participants ranging from new managers to VPs. -Responsible for facilitating workshops and delivering all 1:1 executive coaching for 30 PAX leaders in the program. All L&D programs and the L&D role were eliminated in Q4 2019 due to a company-wide reduction in workforce. Show less

General Manager | Key Account Manager- Executive Search

• Aug 2014 - Aug 2018

The only key account lead supporting a full desk of executive search clients- including key accounts ranging from stealth to series C venture-backed technology companies across SaaS, AI, Blockchain, and FinTec. Grew the business from $0>>$2M in two years. Managed an average of 15 key accounts/clients and 30 open executive searches at any given time. Promoted in year-1 to General Manager. Overseeing all team and recruiting operations, along with selection and installation of recruiting… Show more The only key account lead supporting a full desk of executive search clients- including key accounts ranging from stealth to series C venture-backed technology companies across SaaS, AI, Blockchain, and FinTec. Grew the business from $0>>$2M in two years. Managed an average of 15 key accounts/clients and 30 open executive searches at any given time. Promoted in year-1 to General Manager. Overseeing all team and recruiting operations, along with selection and installation of recruiting tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, CRM, Quickbooks). Structured search agreements and closed contracts with new and existing business. Managed a team of six recruiters along with one recruiting coordinator. Supported all internal recruiter development, as necessary, including soft skills, data/metrics/quota attainment, and configuration management Successfully placed an annual average of 35 executive searches per year; search profiles ranged from CTOs, Chief Data Scientists, Product Leaders, CRO/VP of Sales, CMO, COO, People Operations and several others. Show less The only key account lead supporting a full desk of executive search clients- including key accounts ranging from stealth to series C venture-backed technology companies across SaaS, AI, Blockchain, and FinTec. Grew the business from $0>>$2M in two years. Managed an average of 15 key accounts/clients and 30 open executive searches at any given time. Promoted in year-1 to General Manager. Overseeing all team and recruiting operations, along with selection and installation of recruiting… Show more The only key account lead supporting a full desk of executive search clients- including key accounts ranging from stealth to series C venture-backed technology companies across SaaS, AI, Blockchain, and FinTec. Grew the business from $0>>$2M in two years. Managed an average of 15 key accounts/clients and 30 open executive searches at any given time. Promoted in year-1 to General Manager. Overseeing all team and recruiting operations, along with selection and installation of recruiting tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, CRM, Quickbooks). Structured search agreements and closed contracts with new and existing business. Managed a team of six recruiters along with one recruiting coordinator. Supported all internal recruiter development, as necessary, including soft skills, data/metrics/quota attainment, and configuration management Successfully placed an annual average of 35 executive searches per year; search profiles ranged from CTOs, Chief Data Scientists, Product Leaders, CRO/VP of Sales, CMO, COO, People Operations and several others. Show less

Official Member and Contributor

• Jul 2016 - Jul 2018

Consultant

• Sep 2013 - Jan 2015

At Further by Design, Rachel worked at facilitating and maintaining client and cross-sectoral partnerships while ensuring smooth and successful project engagements. Specifically, Rachel worked on the 20-year strategic visioning and Gala for Women for Women International in Washington D.C. and New York. She also supported the LEAP Synbio project exploring ethics in synthetic biology here in the Bay Area at Autodesk. At Further by Design, Rachel worked at facilitating and maintaining client and cross-sectoral partnerships while ensuring smooth and successful project engagements. Specifically, Rachel worked on the 20-year strategic visioning and Gala for Women for Women International in Washington D.C. and New York. She also supported the LEAP Synbio project exploring ethics in synthetic biology here in the Bay Area at Autodesk.

Brand Director- Consultant

• Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

Provided leadership to a cross-functional team of 25 people in developing and implementing brand recognition and equity in an emerging market setting. Managed product development, market research, advertising, sales and public relations teams to identify effective strategies for product branding and sales. Created promotional tactics and campaigns to improve overall brand image and increase sales volumes. Reviewed and analyzed sales results and market trends to identify future product… Show more Provided leadership to a cross-functional team of 25 people in developing and implementing brand recognition and equity in an emerging market setting. Managed product development, market research, advertising, sales and public relations teams to identify effective strategies for product branding and sales. Created promotional tactics and campaigns to improve overall brand image and increase sales volumes. Reviewed and analyzed sales results and market trends to identify future product development and business opportunities for client’s brand. Managed a portfolio o $5million with over 30 labels and $1.2 million in inventory and products. • Planned, organized and promoted inaugural Australian Wine Auction to be held in China Show less Provided leadership to a cross-functional team of 25 people in developing and implementing brand recognition and equity in an emerging market setting. Managed product development, market research, advertising, sales and public relations teams to identify effective strategies for product branding and sales. Created promotional tactics and campaigns to improve overall brand image and increase sales volumes. Reviewed and analyzed sales results and market trends to identify future product… Show more Provided leadership to a cross-functional team of 25 people in developing and implementing brand recognition and equity in an emerging market setting. Managed product development, market research, advertising, sales and public relations teams to identify effective strategies for product branding and sales. Created promotional tactics and campaigns to improve overall brand image and increase sales volumes. Reviewed and analyzed sales results and market trends to identify future product development and business opportunities for client’s brand. Managed a portfolio o $5million with over 30 labels and $1.2 million in inventory and products. • Planned, organized and promoted inaugural Australian Wine Auction to be held in China Show less

COO and Lead Sommelier

• 2012 - 2013

Identified, developed and implemented operating policies to achieve organizational goals and targets in collaboration with the CEO. Provided leadership and direction to Human Resources team as well as organizing and leading the establishment of effective performance management standards and processes. Supervised risk management processes, client contracts, partnership agreements and leases as well as liaising with legal counsel to ensure regulatory and licensing compliance in all aspects of… Show more Identified, developed and implemented operating policies to achieve organizational goals and targets in collaboration with the CEO. Provided leadership and direction to Human Resources team as well as organizing and leading the establishment of effective performance management standards and processes. Supervised risk management processes, client contracts, partnership agreements and leases as well as liaising with legal counsel to ensure regulatory and licensing compliance in all aspects of business plan and operations. Led financial and business planning activities, accounting and financial reporting to achieve business targets and sales goals. Managed a team of 3 report directs and 50 strategic partners in to achieve startup and initial business goals. Show less Identified, developed and implemented operating policies to achieve organizational goals and targets in collaboration with the CEO. Provided leadership and direction to Human Resources team as well as organizing and leading the establishment of effective performance management standards and processes. Supervised risk management processes, client contracts, partnership agreements and leases as well as liaising with legal counsel to ensure regulatory and licensing compliance in all aspects of… Show more Identified, developed and implemented operating policies to achieve organizational goals and targets in collaboration with the CEO. Provided leadership and direction to Human Resources team as well as organizing and leading the establishment of effective performance management standards and processes. Supervised risk management processes, client contracts, partnership agreements and leases as well as liaising with legal counsel to ensure regulatory and licensing compliance in all aspects of business plan and operations. Led financial and business planning activities, accounting and financial reporting to achieve business targets and sales goals. Managed a team of 3 report directs and 50 strategic partners in to achieve startup and initial business goals. Show less

Sommelier, Spruce Restaurant

• Mar 2007 - Jan 2011

One of two key people to manage a 3000 selection wine and spirits program, providing guidance to clients for effective selections and pairings, as well as sharing overall responsibility for planning and inventory. Supervised staff training program to ensure all guests received expert advice and service in the selection of their wine and spirit choices. Provided direct supervision and development to a staff of 5 on sales, customer service standards and evaluation and selection of wines and… Show more One of two key people to manage a 3000 selection wine and spirits program, providing guidance to clients for effective selections and pairings, as well as sharing overall responsibility for planning and inventory. Supervised staff training program to ensure all guests received expert advice and service in the selection of their wine and spirit choices. Provided direct supervision and development to a staff of 5 on sales, customer service standards and evaluation and selection of wines and spirits. Ensured that monthly and quarterly sales targets were consistently met through an effective combination of promotions and customer service. Achieved over $2million in annual sales. Helped lead the restaurant to achieve a Michelin Star rating and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Show less One of two key people to manage a 3000 selection wine and spirits program, providing guidance to clients for effective selections and pairings, as well as sharing overall responsibility for planning and inventory. Supervised staff training program to ensure all guests received expert advice and service in the selection of their wine and spirit choices. Provided direct supervision and development to a staff of 5 on sales, customer service standards and evaluation and selection of wines and… Show more One of two key people to manage a 3000 selection wine and spirits program, providing guidance to clients for effective selections and pairings, as well as sharing overall responsibility for planning and inventory. Supervised staff training program to ensure all guests received expert advice and service in the selection of their wine and spirit choices. Provided direct supervision and development to a staff of 5 on sales, customer service standards and evaluation and selection of wines and spirits. Ensured that monthly and quarterly sales targets were consistently met through an effective combination of promotions and customer service. Achieved over $2million in annual sales. Helped lead the restaurant to achieve a Michelin Star rating and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Show less