Prajna is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We're female-owned—and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Our Team

We get startups because we come from startups. We test and refine great ideas until they’re on fire—and we grow them until they own the market.

Grow With Us

Photo of Prajna's CEO Kristen Clark sitting at a desk with a coffee cup and video camera pointing at her in the foreground

Leadership Team

Kristen Clark
Chief Executive Officer

Kristen is passionate about helping female founders leapfrog and outpace their counterparts. In 2020, she started Prajna Strategy around the vision that a company with female leadership and an intentionally diverse workplace is not only wildly effective it’s also more empathetic, inclusive, and fun (dance parties, anyone?) than a homogeneous team. With almost 20 years in technology at 10+ early to late-stage startups, Kristen delivers exceptional growth strategies that transform businesses. Previously Chief Growth Officer for TPG-backed Dharma Platform and Sr. Director at Sprinklr, she's collaborated with organizations like the Gates Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, Walmart, Nike, Salesforce, and Hyatt. Before Covid, she attended and spoke at Skoll, UN General Assembly, and WEF Davos.

Shari Lerner
Chief Operating Officer

Shari is a seasoned executive with 20 years of experience guiding startups. Before joining Prajna, she was an integral part in generating over $250 million in revenue across companies in the government contracting space and, most recently, she was COO for a micromobility startup. She doesn’t hesitate to roll up her sleeves while overseeing strategic missions and making sure they land. Understanding how companies live and die by how they handle day-to-day operations, Shari navigates complex challenges with clear direction for timely deliverables and meeting project timelines. Her high level of corporate responsibility and level-headed approach to operational management have already led numerous start-ups to achieve their milestones in record time.

Cheryl Heller
Chief Financial Officer

Cheryl has 25+ years of experience in the financial services industry. Previously CFO for Capital One’s Retail Bank and more recently as Managing Principal of Pillar One Consulting, she works with startups to help them develop and maintain a well-managed financial infrastructure, serving as Advisor and Senior Finance Executive to startups in the tech and micromobility industries.