Shari Van CleaveCatalyst-in-Residence

Shari Van Cleave is a seasoned digital innovation executive with a 20-year career helping global financial institutions innovate and scale new products worldwide. Shari’s career reflects a demonstrated track record leading successful digital transformations, managing change initiatives in complex global environments, and leading customer acquisition and product adoption in over 50 countries. In addition to her deep experience in customer experience management, innovation and technology, Shari’s experience in marketing, brand management and public relations has helped her lead the successful launch of over 200 digital products. 

Most recently, Shari led a digital and data transformation for Standard Chartered Bank, a $800B asset-holding bank operating in 55+ countries, while on expat assignment in Singapore. She has held Chief Innovation Officer roles and served as the Head of Digital Labs at Wells Fargo, where she brought innovations to 30 million digitally active customers. Shari has been significantly involved in leading technology transformations to shift the balance sheet, such as building API businesses to generate net new revenues or launching conversational AI to 60 markets and reducing customer service costs.  

Shari started her career in the non-governmental sector and currently serves on the Stewardship and Impact Committee for Opportunity Bank as well as the Technology Advisory Council and as the organization’s Catalyst-in-Residence. She has been Chair of the Board for a CARE-backed social enterprise in Tanzania, where she led the CEO search. She has led large-scale customer acquisition, product innovation and sales for global non-governmental organizations and has coordinated customer response for complex global disaster responses including earthquakes, tsunamis and floods in Haiti, Pakistan and SE Asia. 

Shari received her BA from the University of Washington and her MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.