Christine Comaford is an esteemed American businesswoman, serial entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author, renowned for her transformative leadership and culture coaching. With a career spanning over 35 years, she has been instrumental in guiding leaders through growth, change, and navigating the complexities of the business landscape.

Career Overview

In the 1980s, Comaford began working for Microsoft^[1] where she wrote testing applications for OS/2 and was a software engineer for Windows 3.0. She did software engineering for Lotus Software and Adobe Systems, was a DBA at Apple Inc., and worked as a strategy adviser for Oracle Corporation and Symantec.^[2] In 1982, Comaford co-founded First Professional Bank, which was later sold to Union Bank. She founded Kuvera Associates, a consulting company, which merged into Corporate Computing, another company founded by Comaford in 1991.^[3] Corporate Computing was sold to LBMS in 1995 and merged with Computer Associates. In 1997, she founded Planet U which delivered promotions across the internet and sold her shares to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. In 1999, she founded Artemis Ventures, which later merged with Novus Ventures.

In 2002, Comaford invested in Google, prior to the company’s initial public offering. She has served on the board of advisers or directors for over 36 start-up companies.^[3] She has been an angel investor or venture capitalist for over 200 start-ups.^[4] Comaford was recognized as one of the "50 Human Behavior Experts to Follow" by iMotions.

Christine's impact extends beyond entrepreneurship; she played a crucial role in shaping the U.S. intranet strategy under the Clinton administration, opening new avenues for USA citizens to access government services online. Her involvement in passing a $4 billion bill to benefit the Small Business Administration's SBIC program underscores her commitment to fostering American entrepreneurship.

Leadership and Culture Coach

As the founder of SmartTribes Institute,^[5] Christine focuses on neuroscience-based workshops and coaching, helping leaders optimize their behavior, foster positive outcomes, and enhance team dynamics. Notably, her strategies have generated hundreds of billions of dollars in new revenue and company value for her clients.

Notable Achievements

Bill Gates recognizes Christine as "super high bandwidth," emphasizing her profound impact on the business landscape.

Bill Clinton expressed gratitude to Christine for her contributions to fostering American entrepreneurship.^[6]

Entrepreneurial Success

Christine's entrepreneurial journey includes building and selling five businesses with an impressive average return on investment of 700%. She has served as a board director or advisor to 36 startups, contributing to over 200 startups as an investor. In 2016, Comaford began holding indigenous wisdom-based leadership retreats entitled Beyond Your Brain.

Philanthropy and personal life

Christine's commitment to philanthropy is evident in her role as a hospice patient volunteer since 1998 and an INELDA-trained End-of-Life Doula. Additional causes she supports include food insecurity, homelessness, and national parks. She has been recognized for her dedication, serving as a trusted representative for indigenous peoples and environmental causes.

Author and Speaker

Christine is a prolific author, with three bestselling business books: "Rules for Renegades," "SmartTribes: How Teams Become Brilliant Together," and "Power Your Tribe: Create Resilient Teams in Turbulent Times."^[7] She is a sought-after speaker, sharing insights at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Stanford University, and TEDxSanDiego.^[8]

Media Presence

Christine has made significant media appearances, including Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC, and PBS. Her unconventional rise to success as a woman without a high school diploma or college degree has been the subject of case studies by Stanford Graduate School of Business and PBS.

Client Impact

CEOs, Boards, and Investors trust Christine to:

- Increase accountability, communication, and execution among team members for profound growth.

- Navigate rapid growth and adaptability challenges.

- Resolve conflicts and improve alignment among business partners, teams, and board members.

- Enhance leadership and communication skills of executives.

Non-Profit and Unconventional Interests

Christine's involvement in various non-profit activities and uncommon interests, such as being a Buddhist monk,^[9] further illustrates her multifaceted approach to life and business.

Recognition and awards

Christine's contributions have earned her recognition as a leader, innovator, and visionary. Notable awards include the Leader/Innovator/Visionary Award for Top Woman in Banking/Finance and being named one of the Top Women in Computing by Business Week.

Media Appearances and Case Studies

Christine's media presence spans major networks and publications, including case studies by Stanford Graduate School of Business, showcasing her unconventional journey and entrepreneurial successes.

Christine Comaford continues to shape the business landscape through her leadership coaching, entrepreneurial ventures, and philanthropic endeavors, leaving an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond.