At the highest level, every profession has its own unique trials and tribulations — think surgeons, chefs, dancers, actors, or athletes. Being a professional operator (COO, CFO, GM, Chief of Staff..) on a world-class playing field is no different; the job runneth over with hardships and loneliness that only other operators can relate to. People in our profession are drawn to the adrenaline of building meaningful products with amazing teams. We’re captivated by the impact we can have on the front lines of a business, whether we’re driving growth at an early-stage startup or guiding an established company to market dominance. That said, this thrill comes with countless sacrifices — 24-month average tenures at a company, piles of illiquid (worthless?) stock options in lieu of cash, a constant juggling act between professional and family responsibilities, being fired by your co-founder, growing a business that then outgrows you, battling narcissist CEOs, choosing between exciting vs. stable opportunities, and everything in between. This panel is for operators who’ve experienced any of these tribulations and many more. Come join us for a raw, candid and open conversation about life as a professional operator.