Senior appointments for technology, AI, and life sciences organizations across the West Coast.
From the Bay Area to the wider North American market, Vellaris advises founders, boards, and investors on chief executive, C-suite, board, and specialist leadership mandates with research-led discipline and close market intelligence.
San Francisco and the wider Bay Area set the global pace for technology, artificial intelligence, and venture-backed growth. Leadership demand here is unforgiving: boards move quickly, competition for proven operators is intense, and the cost of a mis-hire at the top is measured in quarters, not years.
Our San Francisco team advises founder-led companies, venture and growth-equity-backed platforms, and established technology and life sciences organizations on their most sensitive leadership decisions — using the same evidence-first method applied to every mandate globally.
We meet clients and candidates by appointment across the Bay Area, serving the West Coast and the wider North American market.
Technology, artificial intelligence, and life sciences set the pace for leadership demand in this market.
Technology
Technology leadership requires product judgment, engineering credibility, and commercial discipline in equal measure. We appoint leaders capable of scaling organizations without diluting technical standards.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Scientific credibility, regulatory fluency, and patient-centred judgment define leadership in this sector. Appointments frequently combine clinical or scientific depth with commercial scale-up experience.
Artificial Intelligence
AI has become the defining leadership market of the decade. Boards need executives who pair genuine technical fluency with governance maturity — leaders who can ship models, build teams, and answer to regulators and the public at once.
Senior consultants with sector depth, West Coast reach, and accountability from briefing to appointment.
“The appointment is never the end of the work. It is the moment the client finds out how well the work was done. I sign every shortlist personally because that accountability has to live somewhere.”
Adrian Vale works between New York and London and chairs the firm's appointment quality review. He signs every shortlist that leaves the practice personally.
Selected retained and interim searches in and around the Bay Area market.
Live mandates change frequently. View the full opportunities list or contact the San Francisco team for confidential briefings.
Published with the authorization of each individual and organization.
“They told us plainly that our preferred internal candidate was two years from ready, and showed the evidence. It was not what we wanted to hear, and it was right.”
David OkonjoChief Executive Officer · Meridian Industrial Holdings“I was not looking to move. The approach was discreet, specific, and respectful of my position — which is why I took the call at all.”
Elena VasquezChief Technology Officer · Appointed 2025“Vellaris was the only firm that asked about our clinical strategy before asking about the salary band.”
Dr. Yusuf KarimChief Executive Officer · Halcyon Therapeutics“Three appointments in two years, all still in post and performing. That is the only measure I care about.”
Tom SandbergChief Executive Officer · Northwind LogisticsWhen the appointment matters, the search should begin with a conversation.
