In the past few years, Jelena has been primarily focusing on compensation matters in Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE)-backed companies. Jelena has worked closely with some of the largest private equity firms to establish effective pay strategies within their portfolio companies that are focused on effective growth execution and targeted realization at the Exit event.

Through her previous client engagements, Jelena has helped clients effectively calibrate their compensation structures to support the company’s business strategy execution and platform shareholder value creation. With her creative approach to solving the client’s most difficult pay related questions, she is recognized as a powerful thought partner by clients and internal teams.

PrivateCo Setting: Jelena has extensive knowledge of compensation dynamics in private-equity/venture capital backed companies, specifically pre-IPO equity plan optimization, IPO event preparedness and planning, and post-IPO program design that is focused on continued value creation and alignment with the highest level of governance standards.

PubCo Setting: Jelena has a deep knowledge of corporate governance principles and proxy advisory firms’ policies, having helped our clients with issues related to low Say on Pay voting outcomes, shareholder outreach, share request, and ISS pay-for-performance analysis and correspondence.

Corporate Setting: Jelena served as VP, Global Head of Total Rewards within the Tech space, working to build the company’s first fulsome compensation & benefits foundation.

Jelena has earned her MBA Finance degree from California State University, Fullerton with great honors, and her BA in Business Administration from Vanguard University with highest honors.