Sam McAfee

Sam McAfee is a technology strategist, author, and leadership coach with more than two decades of experience in Silicon Valley. McAfee has led technology organizations and advised companies on product development, organizational culture, and business strategy. His clients have included Adobe, Unilever, P&G, GE, Teach for America, Credit Karma, Anthem, and numerous startups. Prior to his technology career, McAfee worked as a community activist, focusing on the intersection of open source and community organizing, which continues to influence his human-centered leadership approach.

McAfee is the author of "Startup Patterns," a guide for founders and product teams that outlines effective strategies for building successful startups. In "Startup Patterns," he presents a framework that integrates Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile development, drawing on his experience coaching and participating in startup teams. McAfee has also been featured as a speaker in Product School's PM speaker series, sharing insights on product management, innovation, and leadership.

As the founder of Startup Patterns, a leadership and strategy firm, McAfee helps founders and executives build resilient, high-performing organizations. His work addresses topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on organizational behavior, challenges with experimentation in business, and the importance of psychological safety and mindful leadership in engineering cultures. The firm's approach centers on mindful leadership, emphasizing empathy, self-awareness, and human connection as drivers of organizational performance.

In addition to consulting and writing, McAfee is the co-founder of Humanize, an AI-powered leadership platform. Humanize supports leaders in addressing complex organizational challenges through an evidence-based, adaptive approach, while enhancing decision-making and follow-through. The platform is designed to augment human capabilities and maintain agency in the face of technological change, reflecting McAfee's commitment to keeping people central in the evolution of technology. His expertise in product development, organizational transformation, and mindful leadership positions him as a resource for audiences navigating the evolving demands of the technology industry.