Sheila Tran

Founding Investor

2020 - Current

Founding investor of Bay FC, the first professional women's sports team in the Bay Area as part of the NWSL. Helped with initial efforts to fundraise and drove, brand, marketing and communications. Co-founded by four U.S. Women’s National Team legends—Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne—in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street, Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it.

Angel Track

2019

First Round Capital's Angel Track is a masterclass and community for new angel investors.

Limited Partner

2022

Operator Collective is a venture fund and dream team community of operator LPs. OpCo brings together 200+ of tech’s most exceptional executives from diverse backgrounds to invest in and supercharge the next generation of enterprise tech.

Founding Equity LP -- Diversity Capital Fund

2021

Chief Communications Officer

2018 - 2024

Built and led strategic communications efforts across corporate, product, consumer, local, and internal communications as a member of the Executive team during rapid growth and market changes. Managed communications efforts to take the company public in 2020, supported market expansion from 15 to over 50 nationwide, drove customer growth from 25,000 to 250,000+. Spearheaded initiatives to establish Opendoor's brand and build trust and loyalty among customers and partners.

Head of Global Communications/PR

2015 - 2017

Drove Yahoo's global communications activities, encompassing corporate, executive, financial, crisis, and internal communications, as well as media, B2B and consumer. Managed and led a Global Communications team through periods of significant business and cultural transformation, including sale to Verizon — navigating complex and long-term M&A processes, spearheading crisis communications strategies in response to activist actions and security breaches, and ensuring effective mitigation and resolution. Ensured effective communication strategies during critical changes, maintaining company's reputation.

VP/Head of Communications

2013 - 2017

Developed and implemented a comprehensive communications strategy to establish Polyvore's brand in online fashion and technology, driving broader awareness. Leveraged creative storytelling to secure positive media coverage of the company's leadership, culture, technology, community, and advertisers. Managed Communications, Marketing Partnerships, Social Media, Editorial, and Community teams to ensure cohesive and effective storytelling.

Head of International Communications

2012 - 2013

Managed all aspects of global communications such as corporate, product, consumer, advertising, media/entertainment, social media and internal across Europe, Asia, Middle East and Latin America. Provided communications guidance and counsel to senior leaders regionally and locally. Managed internal teams and agencies across the world.

Director, Global Product and Technology Communications

2006 - 2012

Established PR goals, strategies and tactics that supported Yahoo!’s Global Product and Technology organization objectives among technology, consumer and business press. Managed cross-functional product and technology communications initiatives, including internal communications, media relations, international PR, strategic partnership activities, and news events. Provided strategic PR and crisis communications counsel, as well as executive communications support, for internal clients such as Yahoo! Search, Flickr, Answers, Delicious and Video executives. Managed annual budgets, oversaw agency resources, and mentored employees to deliver positive results and develop career growth. Products include and have included: Flickr, Jumpcut, Yahoo! Video, Yahoo! Answers, Yahoo! Search, Delicious, Yahoo! Toolbar and Bookmarks.

Senior Consumer PR Manager

2004 - 2006

Planned and executed product PR strategies, including press tours, briefings and product launches. Carefully crafted product messaging and related materials, maintained bi-directional relationships with top-tier press, and provided executive communications support for the Group President of Symantec Consumer Products and Solutions. Provided strategic communications counsel to executive management team and developed creative PR plans to reinforce leadership in the security and availability market.

Communications Manager

2003 - 2004

Developed and implemented strategic PR plans to elevate visibility of AOL’s products and executive management team, reinforcing the company's presence as a market leader in interactive services. Planned and executed major product launches for Netscape, AOL Messaging and Wireless product groups, served as company spokesperson, and supported development of consistent product messaging and positioning.