Twisha Anand: Strategist, Coach, and Builder

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a brown blazer and white shirt, seated in a living room with a decorative fireplace in the background.

The Intersection of Business Rigor and Behavioral Science.

Helping founders and leaders navigate scaling bottlenecks, reclaim their alignment, and build high-impact trajectories.

Engineering systems. Understanding human behavior. Scaling impact.

I have spent the last 13 years at the cross-section of strategy, operations, and human dynamics. My journey began with an Engineering background, which instilled in me a love for structure, optimization, and analytical precision. But I quickly realized that the most complex systems in any business aren't the technical ones—they are the human ones.

To understand what truly drives high-performing teams, I earned a PhD in Organizational Behavior from IIM Ahmedabad.

Since then, I have operated as a startup builder, transition CEO, and global growth leader. I have scaled VC-backed startups, steered companies through critical financial turnarounds, and designed systems that optimize human potential across 30+ nations.

Today, my work centers on Executive Coaching (Elevate Align) as my premier offering, alongside Strategic Consulting (Elevate Build). I partner deeply with founders, leaders, and executives to help them navigate transition friction, build unshakeable alignment, and engineer operational ecosystems built to last in an increasingly complex, AI-informed landscape.

Real-World Experience. Global Scale

Global Team Scaling & Leadership Development

Built, scaled, and coached the operational and leadership workforce for the world's first online peer-support platform (7 Cups). Expanded operations to 189 countries and 140 languages by designing high-performing, culturally diverse organizational structures and coaching leadership teams across 30+ nations.

C-Suite Turnaround & Organizational Alignment

Stepped in as CEO of an organization facing severe operational and financial crises. Realigned and coached the existing leadership team, designed a sustainable high-performance culture, achieved 75% gross margins, and scaled revenue to $1M+ ARR within just six months.

Strategic Ecosystems & High-Value Alliances

Coached and guided cross-functional teams to negotiate, secure, and execute high-impact expansion contracts with global giants including UC Berkeley, Amazon One Medical, and Health Canada—driving international scale with a zero-dollar traditional marketing budget.

Key Accomplishments

  • Global Scale: Scaled a mental health platform to 189 countries and 140 languages, managing diverse teams across time zones and cultures.

  • Turnaround Strategy: Stepped in as CEO during a financial crisis, restructured the business model, and achieved $1M+ ARR with 75% gross margins in six months.

  • Strategic Partnerships: Secured high-value contracts with UC Berkeley, Amazon One Medical, Health Canada, and major non-profits.

  • AI Innovation: Pioneered Generative AI platforms for evidence-based treatment, optimizing models with proprietary datasets for global accessibility.

My Commitment

To equip organizations and leaders with the strategic clarity to navigate the AI era—transforming uncertainty into a competitive advantage through rigorous operations and human-centered design.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

  • Evidence-Based Innovation: We don’t guess; we test. My approach combines behavioral data with the latest AI advancements to solve complex challenges effectively.

  • Ecosystem Thinking: No business grows in a vacuum. I focus on connecting the dots—building systems, partnerships, and communities that drive sustainable, long-term ROI.

  • Radical Authenticity: I believe in transparent partnerships. I function as a trusted extension of your leadership team, offering honest feedback and unwavering support.

  • Impact Over Activity: We prioritize outcomes that matter. Whether it's revenue growth or leadership retention, every strategy is designed to deliver measurable results.

Community & Civic Leadership

I am deeply passionate about social justice and equality, dedicating my time to volunteering and civic engagement to drive meaningful impact. I champion causes that amplify marginalized voices and embrace diverse perspectives, fostering a culture of activism and empathy through community outreach and collaboration.

My strong community network fuels my purpose and energy while allowing me to cross-pollinate insights and leverage my ecosystem to further excel in my work.

My work is deeply informed by my role in civic governance. Serving as a Planning & Transportation Commissioner for San Carlos has taught me the art of stakeholder management, consensus building, and long-term strategic planning.

  • Civic Leadership: Honorary Planning & Transportation Commissioner, City of San Carlos.

  • Education & Board Service: Board Member for San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) and San Carlos Charter Learning Center.

  • Advocacy: Domestic Violence Client Advocate at Maitri Bay Area.

Beyond the Boardroom

When I am not strategizing with founders or coaching executives, I am likely analyzing a different kind of rhythm. As a trained Indian Classical Dancer (Kathak) and Tabla player, I believe that discipline and creativity are two sides of the same coin.

You can also find me running half marathons, catching a 5 AM Peloton ride, or managing my son’s soccer team. I am a mom to two incredible boys who remind me daily why building a better future matters.

Five people standing inside a meeting room with the seal of San Carlos, California displayed. A screen shows a Planning & Transportation Commission regular meeting scheduled for October 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Desks with nameplates are visible in the background.
Panel discussion with four speakers seated, large screen in background, American and state flags visible.
A group of people posing together, wearing traditional Indian clothing, standing and sitting in front of a sign with the word "Maitri."
Two children and an adult standing in front of a large rock with unique textured formations, outdoors on a sunny day.
Woman in traditional Indian attire performing Kathak dance in front of a red curtain.
Runners participating in a race on a paved road with trees in the background. Twisha, the lead runner is wearing a light green tank top, pink shorts, and a headband.
Twisha, hiking on a steep cliff edge along Angel's Landing trail in Zion National Park, wearing hiking gear and holding a safety chain, with a canyon view in the background.
Twisha exercising on a Peloton bike with a screen displaying a workout class.