Snafu Conference

Executive Coach for Sales & Revenue Leaders
Ex-Google Sales & Enablement Executive

Jeffrey Jaworski is a coach, consultant, and former sales leader who brings two decades of experience in sales performance, leadership development, and organizational enablement. As Global Director of Enablement & Sales Coaching at Google, he designed and launched the company’s global sales coaching program for Large Customer Sales and Go-to-Market teams, earning multiple Brandon Hall Gold Awards for excellence in coaching, skill development, and sales onboarding.

Throughout his career, Jeff has focused on translating complex systems and methodologies into actionable strategies that help individuals and teams grow. He is passionate about bridging the divide between coaching and sales, demonstrating how each field can learn from the other to drive better outcomes for people and organizations alike.

In 2023, Jeff founded The Shift, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders and teams perform at their best without defaulting to pressure, burnout, or performative hustle. His approach emphasizes clarity, purpose, and sustainable growth, rather than short-term metrics or transactional behaviors.

Beyond his work with organizations, Jeff is deeply invested in helping leaders develop the human skills necessary to thrive in high-stakes, high-pressure environments. Through coaching, training, and speaking, he empowers individuals to make better decisions, elevate team performance, and cultivate leadership practices grounded in empathy, insight, and accountability.

Session: Coaching Meets Sales: Unlocking Human Potential

At Snafu Conference 2026, Jeff Jaworski will join Marie Szuts in a fireside-style conversation exploring the intersection of coaching and sales. Drawing on decades of experience building Google’s global sales coaching program and leading teams to peak performance, Jeff will highlight how coaching principles can enhance sales execution—and how sales realities can sharpen coaching practices.

This session will reveal how empathy, guidance, and connection fuel both individual and team performance. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for coaching others, improving influence, and applying human-centered principles to leadership and sales alike.

Executive Coach & Consultant
Former VP of People, Figma

Marie Szuts is a leadership coach and culture strategist with a passion for helping organizations and people thrive. Trained as a medieval historian at Yale University, she developed the ability to see patterns across complex systems, a skill that informed her early work in storytelling and community-building through food journalism, leading publications on Italian cuisine and global spicy foods.

In 2019, Marie became Head of People at Figma, where she led talent initiatives during a period of rapid growth. She built mentorship programs, structured career pathways, and implemented bias-minimizing hiring practices that supported both retention and inclusion, helping Figma scale while maintaining a strong culture.

Today, Marie runs her own coaching and consulting practice and serves as a founding partner at Vibrancy. She works with mission-driven teams—from Stanford researchers to Series A startups—on creating equitable, scalable talent ecosystems. Her approach blends storytelling, practical frameworks, and human-centered strategies to develop leaders and empower teams.

Across coaching and consulting, Marie is committed to unlocking human potential, helping people see patterns, think creatively, and implement systems that drive sustainable growth for both individuals and organizations.

Session: Coaching Meets Sales: Unlocking Human Potential

At Snafu Conference 2026, Marie Szuts will join Jeff, a Google sales veteran turned coach, in a fireside-style conversation exploring the overlap between coaching and sales. Marie brings her experience scaling talent systems and building inclusive, high-growth teams, while Jeff shares insights from leading sales at Google and his approach to coaching others for peak performance. Together, they’ll uncover how the principles of coaching and sales intersect to drive both individual and team success.

This session will highlight how empathy, guidance, and human connection fuel performance — whether developing talent, leading teams, or closing deals. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies for coaching others, improving influence, and applying human-centered principles to both sales and leadership.

Head of Product, Enterprise and Platform,
Asana

David Shackelford is a product leader, lifelong learner, and unapologetic nerd who thrives on solving complex customer, business, and organizational problems. At Asana, he leads Enterprise & Platform, serving the company’s largest global customers and building the systems that let teams automate work, integrate tools, and securely extend the product. His work has touched everything from reporting and executive portfolio management to AI, payments, permissions, and privacy – the infrastructure that transforms collaboration into flow. With roots that blend engineering instincts and product strategy, David approaches challenges with systems-level curiosity and a love of practical problem-solving.

Before Asana, David helped shape product at Okta and PagerDuty, leading automation, developer extensibility, and, ultimately, PagerDuty’s second major product line on the path from early growth to IPO. Earlier in his career, he built foundational product capabilities at Education Elements, and before that, taught math through Teach For America — an experience that forged his belief that influence is earned through clarity, empathy, and trust, not authority. Across every role, he has been consistently drawn to complex environments where technology, people, and incentives collide — and where great ideas only matter if you can bring others with you.

Session: Everything is Selling – And Sales Is Actually Really Boring

At The Snafu Conference 2026, David will debut a new talk on the often-unstated reality inside every company: decisions don’t move forward on logic alone. They move through people — through alignment, persuasion, and the ability to earn support. David challenges the assumption that politics is a distraction. Instead, he frames it as a skill: a way of working that turns good ideas into shared priorities.

Drawing on years leading product at Asana, Okta, and PagerDuty, David will break down the mechanics of influence inside large organizations. How do you build coalitions around a vision? How do you generate momentum without formal authority? How do you sell ideas internally in a way that sticks? This session offers a playbook for moving work forward when hierarchy isn’t enough — practical, transferable, and immediately usable.

Co-Founder, General Partner,
Hustle Fund

Eric Bahn is a venture capitalist who leads with empathy and plays to win. At Hustle Fund, he invests in “hilariously early” startups, helping ambitious founders turn hustle into traction. Before becoming an investor, Eric built and led products as a founder, including Beat The GMAT and Read Your Story, which was later acquired by JibJab. That hands-on experience gives him a deep understanding of the challenges early-stage founders face and the strategies that actually work.

Eric’s approach combines heart with strategy and generosity with precision. He believes that kindness and competitiveness are not mutually exclusive but a powerful combination for achieving results. From recruiting his first LP—a dentist who believed in his vision—to managing his venture fund, Eric has honed a repeatable, disciplined approach to building relationships, pitching ideas, and guiding startups toward success.

Beyond investing, Eric is deeply committed to making venture capital approachable, human, and enjoyable. He is known for his founder-first mindset, quick thinking, and ability to simplify complex challenges. He balances rigor with humor, ensuring that working with him is both high-performing and human-centered.

Outside of the VC world, Eric relishes the simple joys of life: Costco rotisserie chicken, road trips in minivans, and the satisfaction of helping founders grow without compromising their values. His story proves that business success and personal authenticity can go hand in hand.

Session: Selling as a VC: Systems, Stories, and LP Relationships

At SNAFU Conference 2026, Eric Bahn will pull back the curtain on fundraising as a sales discipline. In this workshop, he’ll show the tactical processes he uses to raise capital from LPs, recruit team members, and convince startups to partner with Hustle Fund—all while keeping relationships human and high-performing. Eric will share real stories, including how he recruited his first LP, the dentist who helped kick off Fund One.

Attendees will gain a rare look at venture capital as sales in practice, learning actionable techniques for pitching, relationship-building, and consistent follow-ups. This session is perfect for anyone who wants to understand the mechanics of selling without compromising integrity or connection.

Market Maker,
Accenture

Dan Cavenaugh spent more than three decades at Accenture, leading sales for the company’s largest global client group and shaping billion-dollar partnerships across the tech industry. Over 33 years, he’s learned that the best deals aren’t won through pressure or polish — they’re built on trust, curiosity, and genuine human connection. Now retired, Dan teaches and speaks about a more human approach to selling — one that replaces manipulation with meaning, and performance metrics with long-term relationships.

Dan Cavenaugh spent over 33 years at Accenture, leading sales for the company’s largest global client group and building billion-dollar partnerships across the tech industry. Throughout his career, he learned that the best business outcomes don’t come from pressure or polish — they come from trust, curiosity, and genuine human connection. Known for his strategic insight and ability to align stakeholders, Dan shaped long-term relationships that delivered results for clients and the company alike.

Now retired, Dan shares his experience as a teacher and speaker, helping others adopt a more human approach to selling and leadership. He emphasizes replacing manipulation with meaning, short-term wins with lasting impact, and transactional thinking with relationships that endure. Across his work, Dan combines decades of experience with a straightforward, people-first philosophy that inspires both teams and clients to achieve their best outcomes.

Session: Relationship-Driven Selling: A Father-Son Fireside Conversation

At Snafu Conference 2026, Dan Cavenaugh will bring over 35 years of experience building trust-based partnerships at Accenture, where he helped open the Silicon Valley market and led sales for companies including Google and Meta. He knows firsthand that the best business outcomes are rooted in relationships, not pressure or quick wins.

Joining him on stage is his son, Jackson Cavenaugh, Sales Development Lead at Snowflake, who manages hundreds of conversations a day to drive meetings and opportunities. Together, they’ll explore two very different perspectives on sales — one seasoned and strategic, the other fast-paced and operational — in a family fireside-style conversation. Attendees will gain practical insights into building trust, fostering connections, and making selling more human, no matter the scale or stage of your career.

Senior Sales Development,
Snowflake

If data and AI are the new gold, Jackson Cavenaugh spends his days in the mine. As a Senior Sales Development rep at Snowflake, he makes a hundred cold calls a day — connecting teams to the tools that turn raw data into real value. His world runs on automation, efficiency, and speed. Alongside his father, Dan Cavenaugh, Jackson will explore the role of connection — and what it means to stay human in a world built on outbound sales.

Jackson Cavenaugh is a Senior Sales Development representative at Snowflake, where he connects teams to the tools that turn data into actionable insight. He manages hundreds of conversations daily, helping customers across public sector, commercial, and enterprise accounts leverage Snowflake’s Data Cloud for analytics, AI, and cloud-native solutions. Known for his efficiency, results-driven approach, and ability to mentor peers, Jackson has sourced multi-million-dollar pipeline opportunities and earned recognition from colleagues for his energy and dedication.

Before his current role, Jackson held positions spanning enterprise development and commercial acquisition at Snowflake, supporting dozens of account executives while coaching new sales development reps. Across roles, he has built expertise in outbound sales, pipeline generation, and relationship management — all while keeping a human-focused approach to connecting with customers and teams alike.

Session: Relationship-Driven Selling: A Father-Son Fireside Conversation

At Snafu Conference 2026, Jackson will join his father, Dan Cavenaugh, in a fireside-style conversation exploring two very different perspectives on sales. Jackson brings the day-to-day experience of managing high-volume outbound outreach, building pipelines, and engaging hundreds of stakeholders, while Dan offers insights from decades of executive-level relationship management and strategic deal-making. Together, they provide a unique contrast of modern sales execution and long-term, trust-based selling.

This session will highlight how connection, persistence, and human insight drive success in sales — whether navigating large enterprise deals or managing a high-volume sales rhythm. Attendees will gain actionable takeaways for building relationships, influencing decision-makers, and approaching sales with both efficiency and authenticity.

Founder, NextStep Advisory
Former Chief Experience Officer, Swimply

Ha Nguyen is a product and operations leader with extensive experience helping startups grow efficiently and sustainably. Her work spans scaling teams, designing operational frameworks, and optimizing processes to support rapid organizational growth.

Beyond operations, Ha focuses on the power of community as a business tool. She demonstrates how structured networks, shared values, and genuine engagement can drive recruitment, collaboration, and influence—creating opportunities without relying on traditional sales approaches.

Ha has applied these principles across multiple early-stage companies, building communities that serve both operational and strategic goals. She emphasizes trust, shared purpose, and intentional engagement as the foundations of community-driven success.

Through consulting, advising, and hands-on execution, Ha empowers organizations to leverage networks and human connections to scale sustainably. Her approach shows that influence and business impact can grow organically when communities are thoughtfully designed and nurtured.

Session: Non-Sales Selling: Building Community to Drive Impact

At the Snafu Conference, Ha Nguyen will explore how community can be used as a tool for influence and growth. She will share her methods for operationalizing startup communities to foster collaboration, recruit talent, and achieve business outcomes without relying on traditional sales tactics.

The session will highlight the principles of trust, shared purpose, and engagement that make community-driven approaches effective. Attendees will leave with actionable frameworks for building and leveraging communities to generate tangible results.

Vice President, Internal Communications, Prologis

Mandy Mooney is a communications and marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience helping companies engage and inspire their people. She currently serves as Vice President of Internal Communications at Prologis, leading a global team focused on storytelling, culture, and employee engagement at scale. Equal parts strategist and showwoman, Mandy draws on her theater background and love of music to make messages stick, transforming complex initiatives into memorable experiences.

Before Prologis, Mandy helped redefine the brand identity at Khoros and spent formative years at Gap Inc., where she learned the power of values-driven culture and the importance of mentorship and relationships. She is developing a book, Corporating, aimed at helping young professionals navigate corporate life while staying true to themselves. Known for her high-energy presentations and live performances, Mandy helps individuals and organizations embrace authenticity, find their voice, and communicate with confidence.

Session: Authenticity at Work: Lessons from Experience

At Snafu Conference 2026, Mandy will explore how to show up authentically while driving engagement and impact, sharing insights from her career in global communications and from her upcoming book, Corporating. She’ll discuss frameworks for building culture, influencing teams, and amplifying your voice—helping professionals stand out without compromising who they are.

Through personal anecdotes, interactive discussion, and her signature theatrical flair, Mandy demonstrates how authenticity, creativity, and strategy intersect to unlock engagement and inspire action. Attendees will leave with practical tools to communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and start thinking about navigating their careers with confidence and purpose.

Co-Founder & General Partner
1517 Fund

Danielle Strachman is a venture capitalist who bets on the outsiders—dropouts, hackers, and scientists building the future on their own terms. As Co-Founder and General Partner at 1517 Fund, Danielle backs founders who forge their own path, offering grants, pre-seed, and seed funding to help them turn bold ideas into reality. Her investments focus on technologists and entrepreneurs challenging conventional paths and creating new ways of working, learning, and innovating.

Before launching 1517 Fund, Danielle helped design and lead the Thiel Fellowship alongside Peter Thiel, a program that encourages young people to build instead of enroll. She also founded the Thiel Foundation Summit, bringing together over 1,000 emerging innovators to share ideas, mentor each other, and create networks that accelerate growth and impact.

Danielle’s roots are in progressive education. She co-founded Innovations Academy, a K-8 charter school in San Diego built around student-led, project-based learning, and has advised other charter schools on implementing creative, hands-on approaches to teaching. Across her work in education and venture, Danielle’s philosophy remains consistent: the best learning—and the best companies—come from doing, not waiting for permission.

Her career reflects a dedication to supporting founders and students who challenge conventions and create something entirely new. Danielle thrives on building communities, offering guidance, and empowering individuals to pursue ideas that matter—even when the world says they shouldn’t.

Session: Unapologetically You: Sharing Your Story Online

At SNAFU Conference 2026, Danielle Strachman will lead an interactive fishbowl session with three founders navigating the digital spotlight. She’ll discuss how to share your story online authentically, build a reputation without losing yourself, and leverage social platforms for impact. Participants can actively engage, ask questions, and offer insights in this dynamic format.

This session explores the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons of putting yourself out there. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies for storytelling, audience engagement, and staying true to themselves in a fast-moving online world.

Founder, Mentava Reading

Niels Hoven is an educator, entrepreneur, and innovator who challenges conventional approaches to learning. As Founder and CEO of Mentava, he creates software that teaches reading to children and adults, combining bold experimentation with evidence-based pedagogy. His work rethinks what it means to learn, pushing beyond traditional methods while maintaining measurable results.

Unafraid to go against the grain, Niels openly shares his process, successes, and missteps online. He experiments publicly, engaging with audiences who may not always agree with his methods, and learns from both praise and critique. This transparency has helped him build a following and influence around new ways of thinking about education.

Beyond his focus on learning, Niels explores how personal narrative and authenticity in digital spaces can create impact. He examines how telling one’s story online—while navigating criticism and public visibility—can shape influence, foster community, and drive meaningful engagement.

Through Mentava, public storytelling, and ongoing experimentation, Niels demonstrates that innovation thrives at the intersection of curiosity, courage, and authenticity. He encourages others to embrace bold ideas, challenge assumptions, and communicate openly, even when the path forward is unconventional.

Session: Unapologetically You: Sharing Your Story Online

At SNAFU Conference 2026, Niels Hoven will join Danielle Strachman in a fishbowl conversation on sharing your story online while staying true to yourself. Niels will share his experience navigating criticism, public visibility, and the challenges of communicating unconventional ideas. Attendees can observe, ask questions, and even offer their own perspectives in this interactive format.

The session highlights practical strategies for authenticity, resilience, and influence in online spaces. Participants will gain insights into handling feedback, building a following, and leveraging personal narrative to make a meaningful impact.

SemperVirens Venture Capital
Co-founder and General Partner

Robby Peters has spent over a decade building one of the most connected networks in HR, spanning companies from early-stage startups to global organizations with hundreds of thousands of employees. As Co-Founder and General Partner at SemperVirens Venture Capital, Robby invests in early-stage workforce, healthcare, and fintech companies, backing the tools that are shaping the future of work.

Before SemperVirens, Robby co-founded PeopleTech Partners, a platform connecting HR technology entrepreneurs with chief people officers and other talent leaders. He also serves as VP of Business Development at Sequoia Consulting Group, helping startups design and scale employee benefits programs that align people strategy with business objectives. Across these roles, his mission is to elevate HR from compliance and administration to the strategy table, where it can have the greatest impact.

Robby has also built a community of over 300 CHROs and people leaders from companies including Netflix, Visa, Slack, and Disney. By facilitating connections, mentoring founders, and hosting events, he creates a network where people strategy becomes actionable, measurable, and impactful. His approach emphasizes that relationships and community are not just supportive—they are central to business success.

Session: Selling Through Community: Lessons from a VC Playbook

At the Snafu Conference 2026, Robby Peters will share his playbook for selling—first as a Sequoia team member, then as a founder of PeopleTech Partners, and now as a venture capitalist. He’ll explore the principles of community-based selling, showing how building networks and facilitating connections between entrepreneurs and CHROs can create value for both sides.

Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for using community, relationships, and structured processes to drive sales, influence, and growth. Robby’s session highlights that selling is not just transactional—it’s about connecting people, creating trust, and delivering mutual benefit.

Founder & CEO, Zander Media
Executive Director, Snafu

Robin comes from three generations of salesmen: his grandfather, Ervin, sold vacuums and tractor hitches door-to-door, and his father built a 30-person company through his ability to talk to anyone. Though Robin never saw himself as a salesperson, he grew up surrounded by people who built businesses through connection and service. Robin’s entrepreneurial journey began in childhood with “Robin’s Pumpkin Patch.” After reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, he convinced neighborhood boys to dress up as scarecrows to flag down passing cars. Even at five, he was already learning that a good story and a bit of spectacle could move people.His career has been defined by reinvention. A lifelong performer, he discovered gymnastics at nineteen, broke his neck on a trampoline, and – after recovering – debuted as an acrobat with the San Francisco Opera. A talk he gave at Stanford University led to an invitation to work alongside BJ Fogg’s infamous Persuasive Technology Lab. Across an eclectic career, he has repeatedly learned the same lesson: persuasion begins with meeting people where they are.

Robin became a restaurateur in 2016 when he opened Robin’s Café in San Francisco. With no prior restaurant experience, he built the café in 21 days, grew it to over $1M in annual revenue, and sold it on Craigslist in 2018. The café continues to operate today. Running it reinforced a lesson that has shaped his entire approach to business: loyalty is earned through service, not salesmanship.

Today, Robin runs Zander Media, a marketing agency that works with globally recognized brands, including Boom Supersonic, Sequoia, Zappos, and Airbnb.