Shirin Alipanah
Shirin Alipanah is a seasoned technology and transformation executive with more than 20 years of experience leading enterprise-scale initiatives in AI, digital transformation, and operational excellence. She began her career in technology in 2001, building expertise in software development, project management, and enterprise program offices for companies like Bumblebee Seafoods and Jack in the Box. Her work has spanned implementing large-scale IT systems, launching PMOs from the ground up, and serving as a bridge between technology teams and executive leadership. Most recently, she led AI enablement for over 70,000 global users at Meta, focusing on learning and development, productivity, and operational efficiency.
In 2021, Shirin founded NUIX Consulting, a boutique advisory firm where she guides small- to medium-sized companies in AI readiness, digital transformation, and technology strategy. She works closely with executives and CFOs to define measurable business outcomes, design governance frameworks, and implement pilot programs that ensure sustainable operational improvements. Shirin emphasizes that technology alone rarely drives transformation; instead, leadership, culture, and organizational alignment are critical to achieving meaningful results. Her approach combines practical business outcomes, clear KPIs, and inclusive governance from project inception through execution.
Beyond her professional career, Shirin is deeply committed to community impact and youth development. She serves on the boards of the Palomar College Foundation and YMCA of Escondido, where she spearheaded initiatives such as the "YoungPreneurs" program, which provides children with entrepreneurial, leadership, and financial literacy skills. Recognized as a three-time Leader of Influence in Technology and a Top Tech Award nominee, Shirin is also an advocate for women in tech, founding Women in Tech San Diego. Her career reflects a unique blend of technical expertise, operational leadership, and a dedication to empowering others through education, mentorship, and community engagement.
• Chief Information Officer (CIO) Certification
• Management Development
• Project Management Professional
• Confident, Assertive, and In Charge: Developing the Attitudes of Leadership
• Seneca
• Honored Listee-
Marquis Who's Who
• Women in Tech San Diego (Co-founder)
• Palomar College Board Member
• YMCA of Escondido Board Member
• Corporate Directors Forum
• Athena San Diego
• Society of Information Management - San Diego Chapter
• Young Preneurs Program at YMCA of Escondido (Program Founder and Leader)
• Women in Tech San Diego (Co-founder
• Palomar College Board Service
• PMI - San Diego Chapter
• VillageCore
• North San Diego Business Chamber
• SIMSDWIT
• Athena
• University of California, Los Angeles
• Oakstone Home Association
• Lifetime Montessori School
• Evertio, Inc.
• Project Management Institute
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence and consistently showing up, saying yes to opportunities, and committing to learning what’s required to deliver.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to take on challenges even when unsure, learn quickly, give 120%, and actively participate in conversations and boardrooms so opportunities can find you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First of all, don't be afraid of taking on new challenges. That's the only way for us to grow. Take on challenges, even if we're not sure if we can or cannot, we should take on, and then just go learn it, because everybody has capability to learn something new if we want to. Saying no to opportunities is going to keep us where we are. So if you want to grow, if you want to be a leader in this industry, if you want to make a difference, if you want to make an impact, then we have to take on, and then put our 120% in, really make it happen. It's how bad you want it. If you want to grow, then you have to step up, you have to be part of the conversation, you have to show up in the boardrooms, you have to sit around the table and speak up. Because if you don't speak up, nobody's a mind reader. If you don't say anything, people are not gonna give you opportunities. One of the things that helped me was that anything I was asked or offered, any opportunity I saw, I basically jumped and said yes, I can do it, and if not, yes, I learned it. There are so many things that I didn't know, but I said I'm gonna do it, and I did go and learn. One of the things is our mindset as a woman holding us back. We are like, no, I don't know this, or I cannot do this, but we can. If we put our 120% into it, we can do it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now aren’t the technology itself, but ensuring organizations have clean, production-ready data, strong governance and security from the start, and leadership and cultural readiness to adopt AI effectively. There’s also the constant balancing act for business leaders who are managing time pressures alongside family responsibilities. The opportunities lie in guiding companies through AI readiness assessments, shaping governance and people strategies, and serving as a trusted leadership partner to shift mindsets around technology adoption.