Shailvi Wakhlu

I’m a former Head of Data at Strava and Komodo Health, with 18+ years in tech and 8+ years in management. I mentor data professionals, first-time managers, founders, and leaders who want to thrive in their roles and make an impact. I’ve mentored and coached 500+ people in the last few years, helping new managers grow confidently and data practitioners level up their careers. I specialize in subscription businesses, product analytics, data science strategy, and building high-performing teams. I’m also the author of Self-Advocacy, a #6 Amazon bestseller, a keynote speaker, and an Angel Investor in data-focused startups.

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  Building a team

  In my most recent role, I grew my team from 8 to 27, and also helped my partner team rebuild from 1 to 7. I helped 5 of my reports in my last job transition into their first-ever management roles, and 2 years in they were all thriving in their roles. I know how to hire for small companies (like I did for Strava and Komodo Health), as well as large well-oiled shops (like I did for Salesforce as the hiring lead).

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  Career guidance

  I mentor data professionals, founders, and leaders on career growth, navigating promotions, and building influence. My goal is to help mentees achieve clarity, make strategic moves, and grow professionally with confidence and purpose.

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  Data science

  I’ve led departments of analysts, ML engineers, and data scientists as Head of Data at Strava and Head of Analytics at Komodo Health. I guide strategy and tactical execution for analytics, machine learning, and data pipelines, and am open to fractional roles or project-based mentorship.

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  Go to market strategy

  I help subscription and tech businesses optimize growth and go-to-market strategies. From funnel conversion to product experimentation, I provide practical, data-informed guidance that drives measurable results and aligns offerings with market needs.

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  Idea validation

  I work with founders and product teams to validate ideas quickly and effectively. Using data-driven insights, practical frameworks, and strategic advice, I help professionals test concepts, optimize offerings, and ensure their products solve real problems.

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  Imposter syndrome

  I help mentees overcome self-doubt, build confidence, and develop a growth-oriented mindset. Many first-time managers and data professionals struggle with imposter syndrome - I provide guidance and practical strategies to thrive in challenging roles.

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  Leadership

  I help first-time managers and team leads build confidence, scale their teams, and thrive in leadership roles. I’ve grown teams from small to large (grew my last team from 9 to 34), mentored 500+ professionals, and guide leaders to influence their organizations with impact.

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  Product analytics

  I advise on product analytics, experimentation, business intelligence, ML problems, and data science strategy. I’ve managed teams of analysts, engineers, and data scientists, helping companies (startups and Fortune 500) use data to make informed decisions and scale operations efficiently.

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  Venting frustration

  I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to discuss work frustrations, career challenges, and professional growth. I listen empathetically and offer actionable guidance so mentees can process challenges and take steps forward confidently.

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  Tableau

  11 years of experience

  I've used Tableau in multiple companies, and have used it while also using other BI tools - so I have some comparative data points on the tool as well.

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  SaaS

  Expert in subscription businesses covering both enterprise and consumer. Recurring revenue through a paid subscription requires businesses to demonstrate consistent value.

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  Fitness

  Multiple companies in the health/wellness space - Komodo Health, Fitbit, Strava, Salesforce health industry vertical, building apps for health start-ups when I was running my own company.

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  Business Intelligence

  I’ve led BI, analytics, and data science teams at Strava, Komodo Health, and Salesforce, driving data strategy and execution for consumer and enterprise products. From building self-service analytics to scaling data teams, I help organizations turn data into actionable insights and empower individuals to thrive in BI-focused careers.

• http://www.shailvi.com/data-knowledge.html
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ44XNZG