Handshake Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Handshake has 4 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, operational coordination, artificial intelligence integration, and experimental product development.

Committed to democratizing career access for students globally, Handshake builds robust digital infrastructure to connect diverse talent with meaningful employment opportunities across international markets.

Leadership Roles at Handshake

  • Chief Financial Officer - Jesse Hulsing
  • Chief of Staff to the President/COO - Amy Holiday
  • President, Handshake Labs - Nishant Ranka
  • Chief of Staff, HAI - Daniela Veloza
  • Jesse Hulsing - Chief Financial Officer

    Jesse Hulsing, the Chief Financial Officer at Handshake, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures sustainable growth while scaling the platform to support millions of college students. This leadership role involves managing investor relations and optimizing resource distribution across North American and European operations. By maintaining rigorous budgetary oversight, Jesse Hulsing directly impacts the ability of the company to invest in new software features and market expansion. Hulsing monitors key performance indicators to align spending with long-term corporate objectives. Through precise financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary capital to maintain the position of the company as the premier destination for early-career talent acquisition. Ultimately, Hulsing drives the economic stability required for continuous innovation in the competitive HR technology sector.
    Jesse Hulsing

    Amy Holiday - Chief of Staff to the President/COO

    Amy Holiday, the Chief of Staff to the President/COO at Handshake, manages cross-functional workflows and executive priorities. Coordinating between the President and various department heads, the Chief of Staff to the President/COO ensures operational efficiency across the San Francisco headquarters and remote offices. This leadership role involves streamlining internal communications and executing strategic initiatives that support the mission of democratizing career opportunities. By facilitating high-level decision-making processes, Amy Holiday directly impacts the agility of the organization. Holiday monitors project timelines and resource allocation to maintain alignment with the broader corporate vision. Through the management of complex organizational challenges, the Chief of Staff to the President/COO enables the leadership team to focus on scaling the platform effectively. Ultimately, Holiday optimizes the internal structure to support the rapid growth of the user base and the expansion of the service offerings.

    Nishant Ranka - President, Handshake Labs

    Nishant Ranka, the President, Handshake Labs at Handshake, leads the experimental division focused on future-forward product development. Overseeing the incubation of new features, the President, Handshake Labs explores emerging technologies to expand the reach of the platform beyond traditional job boards. This leadership role involves prototyping innovative solutions that address evolving student needs and employer requirements. By fostering a culture of rapid experimentation, Nishant Ranka directly impacts the long-term product pipeline of the company. Ranka manages the transition of successful prototypes into the main product ecosystem to ensure continuous value delivery. Through the exploration of novel market opportunities, the President, Handshake Labs identifies new ways to support career development for diverse student populations. Ultimately, Ranka drives the creative vision of the organization, ensuring the platform remains at the forefront of the HR technology industry through constant evolution and bold product design.

    Daniela Veloza - Chief of Staff, HAI

    Daniela Veloza, the Chief of Staff, HAI at Handshake, directs the integration of artificial intelligence into the core career discovery platform. Overseeing the technical alignment of AI initiatives, the Chief of Staff, HAI ensures that machine learning models improve the accuracy of job matching for students. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between engineering teams and executive strategy to accelerate the deployment of intelligent features. By refining the data-driven approach to recruitment, Daniela Veloza directly impacts the quality of connections between employers and candidates. Veloza manages the roadmap for AI-driven product enhancements to maintain a competitive edge in the HR software market. Through the coordination of specialized technical resources, the Chief of Staff, HAI facilitates the rapid iteration of new tools. Ultimately, Veloza drives the technological evolution of the platform to ensure every student receives personalized support regardless of background.

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Handshake Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Handshake?
    Handshake is led by Jesse Hulsing (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Amy Holiday (Chief of Staff to the President/COO) and Nishant Ranka (President, Handshake Labs).
    Who is part of Handshake’s executive team?
    The executive team of Handshake includes leaders such as Jesse Hulsing (Chief Financial Officer), Amy Holiday (Chief of Staff to the President/COO), Nishant Ranka (President, Handshake Labs) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Handshake have?
    Handshake has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Handshake’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Handshake includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff to the President/COO, President, Handshake Labs, Chief of Staff, HAI.