Overview
Sandra Schwarzer holds the position of Vice President, C-Suite/Board & EU Talent & Insights Team leader at Index Ventures [1]. In this role, Schwarzer leads efforts related to executive recruitment, board composition, and talent insights across European markets [1].
Profile introduction
Sandra leads Index Ventures’ European Talent network, uncovering the best and most diverse growth/venture C-Suite, Board and Advisor talent in the region. She works with founders and executive teams on people related issues, including talent strategy, culture and DE&I, and advises on their most senior recruitments. Sandra graduated with a BA from the University of London in Paris, a Masters from Sciences Po Paris, and an Executive Master in Change from INSEAD.
Career history
- Vice President, C-Suite/Board & EU Talent & Insights Team leaderMay 2021 to presentIndex Ventures
- Executive Director, Tech & BoardDec 2016 to May 2021Russell Reynolds Associates
- Global Director of Human Resources, Security & Facility (CPeO)Aug 2012 to Sep 2016Open Society Foundations
- Director INSEAD Career ServicesFeb 2008 to Jul 2012INSEAD
- Assistant Director MBA Career ServicesSep 2006 to Jan 2008INSEAD
- Social Innovation Centre (ISIC) - Management Team memberMay 2007 to Dec 2007INSEAD
- Inspector - Selected into the highly competitive program (< 1% of applicants receive offer)Sep 2003 to Sep 2006Société Générale
- Aspen Berlin Young Leaders ProgrammeSep 2005 to Jul 2006Aspen Institute Berlin
Education
Executive Master in Change (CCC), Leadership2010 - 2012INSEAD
Executive Education, HR Strategy in Transforming Organisations2014 - 2014London Business School
Master, International Business2001 - 2003Sciences Po
Insights & ideas
The through-line
Across the material, Sandra Schwarzer's focus stays fixed on the practical mechanics of talent inside portfolio companies: how founders manage people problems as their companies scale, how investors assess a founder's approach to talent, and how to bring more structure to processes like executive search [1]. The throughline is a people-first lens applied to venture-backed growth, discussed both in terms of frameworks and in terms of career and personal perspective [1][2].
On helping founders scale through chaos
Schwarzer discussed Index Ventures' experience helping founders navigate the disorder that comes with fast growth, framed around the idea of "scaling through chaos" [1]. This included discussion of how much time founders actually spend on HR-related tasks as their companies grow, suggesting this is a recurring and significant burden for the founders she works with [1].
On running executive searches
A structured approach to hiring senior leaders is a specific point of focus: Schwarzer and Index Ventures have developed a 14-point framework for running executive searches, which was discussed as part of how the firm supports founders in building out leadership teams [1].
On evaluating founders' view on talent
Schwarzer also discussed how investors evaluate a founder's perspective on talent, treating a founder's approach to people and hiring as a signal investors weigh directly [1].
On putting people first
Schwarzer's broader outlook was described as one that puts people first at Index Ventures, connected to her own career transition into the talent and insights role she holds there [2]. No further specifics of this perspective were detailed in the material available.
Takeaways
- Index Ventures has built a 14-point framework for running executive searches with portfolio founders [1].
- Founders spend a notable amount of time on HR-related tasks as their companies scale, a burden Schwarzer's work addresses directly [1].
- Investors weigh a founder's own view on talent as part of how they evaluate that founder [1].
- Schwarzer frames Index Ventures' support to founders around helping them "scale through chaos" [1].
- Her overall approach is described as putting people first, shaped by her own career transition into the role [2].
Media & appearances
- The Modern People LeaderApple Podcasts202 - VC on helping founders with talent strategy, exec searches, & people challenges (Sandra Schwarzer, Index Ventures)Forward-Thinking HR: Sandra Schwarzer, Board & Talent Insights leader at Index Ventures, joined us on The Modern People Leader. We talked about Index Ventures’ experience helping founders “scale through chaos”, how much time founders spend on HR-related tasks, their 14-point framework for running executive searches, and how investors evaluate founders’ view on talent. ---- Timestamps: ---- 📬 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get episode recaps 💡 Follow The Modern People Leader on LinkedIn 😊 Follow Daniel Huerta on LinkedIn 😊 Follow Stephen Huerta on LinkedIn
- 40 Minute MentorApple PodcastsSandra Schwarzer: Transitioning careers & putting people first at Index VenturesThis week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Sandra Schwarzer, VP C-Suite/Board & EU Talent/Community & Insights Team leader at Index Ventures.
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