Shallon Brown Ph.D.
Shallon Brown, Ph.D. is a seasoned Fractional CTO, technical strategist, and advisor with more than 20 years of experience leading complex digital transformations across government, healthcare, fintech, and SaaS. With a Ph.D. in Information Systems Engineering from Capella University, Shallon specializes in helping growth-stage companies and investors navigate high-stakes Series B and C technical challenges. Her work has helped more than 30 organizations eliminate inefficiencies, modernize architecture, and save over $1.2 billion by turning technical risk into strategic advantage.
As a senior technology leader at Sanametrix, Inc. and founder of CTO Advisor Pro, Shallon is known for her rigorous approach to technical due diligence, cloud and SaaS cost optimization, open-source migration, and scalable architecture design. She has led enterprise modernization efforts for federal agencies and global brands alike, aligning engineering execution with compliance, investor readiness, and long-term valuation. Her proprietary TECHNICAL READINESS FRAMEWORK™ provides leaders with clarity, accountability, and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.
Beyond execution, Shallon is a trusted voice on engineering leadership and organizational health. She is the author of Impossibly Hard: What’s Driving High Turnover in Tech, a research-driven examination of systemic issues behind burnout and attrition in software organizations. Known for her direct, data-backed insights and people-centered leadership philosophy, Shallon combines technical depth with compassion, helping teams build systems—and cultures—that are resilient, ethical, and built to last.
• Foundational C# with Microsoft
• Capella University- Ph.D.
• Bloc
• University of Maryland Global Campus- Master's
• University of Maryland Baltimore County- Bachelor's
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to leading and supporting a large-scale team of about 16 developers and engineers, ensuring they have what they need to collaborate effectively and deliver results.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to know your why and stay anchored to it—across 22 years, 54 roles, 250 clients, and $1.2B in enterprise work, that clarity has kept me focused and resilient, reinforced by an early influence from my father, a love of math and science, and persevering through graduate school while working full time.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I’d tell young women to read my book, Churn and Burn by Design—it lays out what I wish I’d known, from navigating churn-and-burn cultures and protecting yourself legally to planning financially and mentally. Beyond that, secure references early, build strong social and teamwork skills, and consider high-demand niche roles like technical writing to stay resilient and in demand.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My field is still male-dominated, though it’s becoming more diverse, and it struggles with high turnover, burnout-driven cultures, the human impact of constant screen time and remote work and growing ethical questions around AI. At the same time, there’s real opportunity in high-demand niche roles like technical writing and in redesigning tech workplaces to be more humane, inclusive, and sustainable.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value diving in fully and giving my best in everything I do, whether at work or in life. Outside of work, I make time for what grounds me—being a devoted dog owner and dog-park regular, exploring food as a true foodie, staying engaged in political causes, and unwinding as a longtime gamer.