Handshake Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Handshake has 4 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, artificial intelligence operations, executive coordination, and product innovation.

Committed to democratizing career access for students globally, Handshake builds equitable pathways to employment by connecting diverse talent with meaningful professional 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 operations across North American and European markets. This leadership role involves managing investor relations and optimizing resource distribution to support the platform's mission of democratizing career access. By analyzing market trends and internal performance metrics, Jesse Hulsing directly impacts the long-term viability of the software infrastructure. Hulsing maintains rigorous oversight of budgetary compliance and financial reporting, providing the necessary stability for the company to expand its reach to millions of college students. Through disciplined fiscal management, the Chief Financial Officer secures the resources required for continuous product development and market penetration, ultimately strengthening the competitive position of the firm within the global HR technology landscape.
    Jesse Hulsing

    Amy Holiday - Chief of Staff to the President/COO

    Amy Holiday, the Chief of Staff to the President/COO at Handshake, coordinates high-level strategic initiatives and operational priorities. Overseeing the execution of corporate objectives, the Chief of Staff to the President/COO ensures seamless collaboration between the executive office and various business units. This leadership role involves managing complex projects that span the company's San Francisco headquarters and international offices. By facilitating decision-making processes and monitoring key performance indicators, Amy Holiday directly impacts the operational efficiency of the organization. Holiday maintains alignment between the President/COO and the broader leadership team, ensuring that the company remains focused on its mission to support students regardless of their background. Through the management of critical business rhythms and organizational communication, the Chief of Staff to the President/COO drives the successful delivery of strategic goals, ultimately fostering a cohesive environment that supports the rapid scaling of the platform's career services.

    Nishant Ranka - President, Handshake Labs

    Nishant Ranka, the President, Handshake Labs at Handshake, leads the research and development of experimental features and future-facing career technologies. Overseeing the innovation pipeline, the President, Handshake Labs ensures that the company remains at the forefront of HR software development. This leadership role involves exploring emerging trends in the labor market and prototyping new solutions that address the evolving needs of college students. By fostering a culture of experimentation and rapid iteration, Nishant Ranka directly impacts the long-term product roadmap and competitive advantage of the firm. Ranka collaborates with product and engineering teams to translate research insights into scalable features that democratize access to professional opportunities. Through the exploration of novel technologies and market-driven solutions, the President, Handshake Labs drives the continuous evolution of the platform, ultimately ensuring that the company provides the most effective support for students seeking to kick-off meaningful careers in a changing global economy.

    Daniela Veloza - Chief of Staff, HAI

    Daniela Veloza, the Chief of Staff, HAI at Handshake, manages the operational integration of artificial intelligence initiatives across the platform. Overseeing cross-functional workflows, the Chief of Staff, HAI ensures that technical advancements align with the core objective of connecting students to meaningful employment. This leadership role involves coordinating between engineering teams and executive leadership to accelerate the deployment of AI-driven career matching tools. By streamlining internal processes and removing operational bottlenecks, Daniela Veloza directly impacts the speed and efficacy of product innovation. Veloza facilitates strategic communication across the organization, ensuring that all departments remain focused on the primary goal of democratizing opportunity. Through the synchronization of technical resources and business objectives, the Chief of Staff, HAI drives the successful implementation of advanced software solutions, ultimately enhancing the user experience for students and employers navigating the competitive job market.

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    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.