Builder · Thinker · Connector
Shahaan
Mirza.
At the intersection of technology, civic life, and human potential.
I lead AI/BI teams, build tools for democratic participation through TownHallOS, mentor founders, and serve as Impact Officer at the WEF Global Shapers DC Hub.
The story so far
Career Journey
The Foundation
VC Analyst & Startup Mentor · Chicago
Started in venture capital — evaluating early-stage companies, backing bold founders, and getting a front-row seat to how ideas become companies. Ran mentorship programs for emerging entrepreneurs alongside the deal work.
The Operator
Assurety Consulting & Solutions
Head of AI
Full-time · Aug 2025 – Present · 8 mos · Hybrid
Led the strategy, governance, and implementation of AI across the organization to improve how teams work, make decisions, and deliver outcomes. Drove cross-functional adoption by turning AI from isolated experimentation into practical systems, workflows, and measurable business impact.
Associate Product Manager – BI and Innovation
Full-time · Feb 2025 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos · Hybrid
Led product management for four new external products from the ground up, owning early-stage development from concept through execution in a startup-like environment. Worked cross-functionally to define requirements, shape product strategy, and turn customer and business needs into scalable user-facing solutions.
The Builder
TownHallOS · WEF Global Shapers · Startup mentor
Alongside my day job, I build at the intersection of technology and civic life: running TownHallOS as a nonprofit think tank, serving as Impact Officer for the WEF Global Shapers DC Hub, mentoring startup founders, and exploring how AI can reshape legacy business models.
Education
Illinois Tech
- Master of Applied Science, Technological Entrepreneurship — Entrepreneurship / Entrepreneurial Studies
- Bachelor of Applied Science, IT and Management — IT Entrepreneurship and Management; Computer / Information Technology Administration and Management
Nonprofit Initiative
TownHallOS
Democracy needs better tools. TownHallOS is a nonprofit thinktank building the infrastructure for informed dialogue, civic engagement, and collective problem-solving.
We bring together diverse voices to tackle complex challenges — because the quality of our conversations determines the quality of our decisions as a society.
Visit TownHallOSWorld Economic Forum
Global Shapers
Community
Part of the WEF Global Shapers Community — a network of young leaders driving dialogue, action, and change at the intersection of policy, technology, and society.
As Incoming Impact Officer for the DC Hub, I lead impact initiatives that connect global insights to local action in Washington, D.C.
Selected work
Projects & Initiatives
Nonprofit
TownHallOS
A nonprofit thinktank building tools for democratic participation, informed dialogue, and civic engagement.
WEF Global Shapers
Impact Initiatives
Community-driven projects at the DC Hub connecting global WEF insights to local action in Washington, D.C.
Advisory
Startup Advisory
Helping founders navigate strategy, go-to-market, product decisions, and the messy path from zero to scale.
How I see the world
Thought Leadership
Artificial Intelligence
AI automation, strategy, and the future of work. How organizations actually adopt AI — and where they stumble.
Venture Capital
Early-stage investing, founder-market fit, and how great companies get built from the first check onward.
Startups & GTM
Go-to-market strategy, sales, product decisions, and the operational muscle that turns ideas into revenue.
Productivity & Systems
Systems, habits, and workflows for high performance. How to think clearly and execute consistently at scale.
Mentorship & Advisory
I mentor
founders.
If you're building something real and need a thinking partner — someone who's been on the VC side and in the operator seat — let's talk.
I work best with early-stage founders navigating the gap between product-market fit and scale.
Book a conversationAreas of focus
Speaking
Bring me to
your stage.
I speak at conferences, corporate events, universities, and podcasts on the ideas shaping business, technology, and society. Practical, direct, and grounded in real operator experience.