FRAN BENJAMIN
Managing Partner | they/he/she
Fran has guided people and organizations through strategic transformation for nearly 20 years. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, their work has concentrated in the Technology and Life Science industries, as well as with artist and activist communities. Fran served as the Vice President and Head of People for GRAIL, Inc. one of the world’s fastest growing Life Sciences Technology startups dedicated to detecting cancer early when it can be cured. Between 2017 and 2021, Fran guided the unicorn company through nearly 4x employee growth, financing of over $1.5B, an initial public offering, and the eventual acquisition by Illumina for $8B.
At GRAIL, Fran coached the c-suite on amplifying sound leadership throughout the organization, and designed a progressive organizational and human resources strategy to address the needs of a rapidly changing talent landscape. They guide teams to build cohesion and efficacy through trust, connection, and communication.
Fran has navigated the executive ranks as a non-binary queer person and utilizes this unique experience, combined with leading-edge research and practical industry expertise, to advise clients to successfully traverse the complexities of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout their organizations. As a white person, Fran is committed to the work of antiracism while challenging and troubling his own position of power and privilege.
Fran built a career at the three-point intersection of human capital strategy, leadership, and diversity. Prior to joining GRAIL, while leading Diversity Strategy at Airbnb, Fran guided executives through systemic change, personal transformation, and mindset shifts to build high performing teams anchored in diversity. Fran consulted to Fortune 100 and entrepreneurial executives alike on building leadership ecosystems and inclusive cultures while serving as the Chief of Staff for Deloitte’s Leadership Center for Inclusion. Their experience leading teams of 30+ across global geographies informs how Fran guides clients. Fran has advised companies such as NIKE, Genentech, Airbnb, Cargill, and Bayer.
In the midst of their corporate career, Fran also spent time in the Middle East working in conflict resolution, peace, and reconciliation—an experience that still informs his approach to inclusive leadership and human interaction. Fran was an Organizational Behavior Fellow at the UCLA Anderson School of Management where he received his MBA. While completing their BA, Fran was fortunate to be a Norman Topping Scholar at the University of Southern California, a cohort of first generation and marginalized college students. Fran received a Professional Coaching Certification from New Ventures West and is an Integral Coach focusing on executive development.
When not advising and consulting, Fran spends time exploring nature with their husband and two daughters or by bringing beauty to the world as a performer, vocalist, and visual artist. Fran is a RYT 200 certified Hatha Yoga Instructor and is a student of somatics in leadership development.
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