SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Guild, a prominent player in creating opportunities for America’s workforce, has named Bijal Shah as CEO and appointed her to the Board of Directors. Shah, who has been an integral part of Guild for the past six years, has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and establishing its market leadership.
Joining Guild in 2018 as the inaugural Chief Product Officer, Bijal led various teams, including product development, engineering, and analytics. In her most recent role as Chief Experience Officer, she orchestrated Guild’s expansion to deliver top-notch services through its Career Opportunity Platform™ to millions of employees across the nation.
Last August, Shah stepped in as Interim CEO following Rachel Romer’s health setback due to a stroke. Romer, the Founder and Former CEO of Guild, continues her recovery journey and remains an active member of the Board of Directors.
Ken Chenault, board member of Guild and former chairman and CEO of American Express, expressed confidence in Shah’s leadership, stating, “Over the past seven months of Bijal’s leadership as Interim CEO and throughout her tenure at Guild, we’ve come to believe not just in her steadfast stewardship of Guild’s business today but that she is the right leader to drive the next phase of growth and scale for the organization.”
Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Bijal Shah remarked, “I am extremely grateful to Guild’s executive team for stepping up during this interim period, for rallying behind me, and for ensuring we did not miss a beat. I am honored and excited to step into this role and continue partnering with the incredible team at Guild to scale our impact even further.”
Rachel Romer, Guild’s Founder & Former CEO, praised Shah’s leadership and commitment to Guild’s mission. She stated, “Bijal has been a trusted partner to me during Guild’s most formative years, and I can think of no one more prepared to take over as CEO and shepherd Guild into this next era.”
Bijal Shah’s journey to Guild includes executive roles at Ibotta and Visa, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the technology industry and community, including receiving the Denver Business Journal 40 Under 40 award.
Rachel Romer’s journey of recovery has been marked by resilience and reflection. Last August, Romer faced a life-altering moment when she suffered a stroke, casting uncertainty over the future of the $4.4 billion education and upskilling startup. Despite the challenges, Guild has continued its mission under the leadership of Bijal Shah, who stepped in as Interim CEO.