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2025-11-03-databricks-director-executive-communications-cover-letter

Sunday, November 3rd, 2025

Dear Databricks Hiring Team,

I'm applying for the Director of Executive Communications role because Databricks' mission to democratize data and AI is exactly the kind of transformation that requires exceptional communication to succeed at scale.

I've spent my career at the intersection of technical complexity and storytelling clarity. I know how to distill complex technical concepts into compelling narratives. I've advised executives at the highest levels. And I've developed a framework for exactly what this role demands: reducing noise, connecting dots, and creating alignment across global teams through what I call "truth management."

Why I'm a Fit​

I Understand What Breaks When Communications Fail​

I recently completed a consulting contract with an early-stage tech-focused school system. The organization had talented people and an exciting vision from the founder. But as it scaled, information was scattered. Leadership assumptions weren't documented or shared. Teams operated on different operational truths. Critical context lived primarily in people's heads, with sometimes intentional siloing to protect fiefdoms.

This experience crystallized something I've believed for years: organizations don't just fail from lack of talent or strategy. They fail from misaligned assumptions about what matters and how to operate. As companies scale, the challenge isn't just broadcasting information. It's reducing noise, orchestrating messaging across leaders, and ensuring the right message reaches the right people at the right time.

That's exactly what this role exists to solve. And I have both the framework and track record to deliver it.

I've Advised Executives at the Highest Levels​

I'm comfortable being a trusted advisor to senior executives on high-stakes communications. I currently advise the Catholic Church in Rome on digital transformation. I've worked with the White House faith office. I've consulted for billionaires in edtech. I know how to provide strategic counsel, navigate sensitive matters with discretion, and operate in high-visibility, fast-moving environments with multiple senior stakeholders.

I understand the level of partnership this role requires. When you're supporting C-level executives at major industry stages like HumanX and Davos, or at flagship Databricks events, you need someone who can think strategically, move fast, and deliver exceptional quality under pressure. That's me.

I Bring Technical Fluency + Exceptional Storytelling​

I started my career as a Software Engineer at Google Cloud from 2015 to 2019, leading a small team. I recently graduated top of my class from Gauntlet AI, an AI-first coding bootcamp. I understand technical products deeply, which means I can dive deep into technical topics about data and AI, then simplify and elevate them for key audiences.

But my real superpower is translating technical sophistication into compelling narratives that resonate:

  • Built a youth nonprofit that trained thousands globally in complex civic concepts. Named Forbes 30 Under 30 for this work.
  • Made crypto concepts like Sybil defense and regenerative web3 compelling to mainstream audiences, growing Gitcoin Passport from 200,000 to 1M users.
  • Organized Edge City Denver 2024—a seven-day event with 3,000+ attendees and 4.6/5 average satisfaction. Designed programming, recruited speakers, and created messaging for technical audiences across crypto, AI, and biotech.

I know how to work cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure consistency and impact across channels.

I've Developed a Framework for Internal Communications at Scale​

I call it "truth management": the discipline of helping organizations document and evolve the shared operational knowledge that enables aligned action. For Databricks specifically, this means:

  • Reducing noise: Orchestrating messaging across executive leaders to deliver clarity and focus
  • Connecting dots: Establishing proactive internal comms strategies that drive alignment across global teams
  • Reinforcing strategy: Ensuring messaging across internal and external channels is cohesive, timely, and connected to company priorities
  • Measuring impact: Tracking whether communications actually land in ways that help people feel connected and informed

My career has shown me why this matters and made me passionate about solving it. It's the same discipline Databricks needs to maintain alignment across thousands of Bricksters while scaling.

My Commitment​

Databricks is at a critical inflection point. I want to be the person who shapes and scales the voice of your senior leaders. I want to reduce noise and create clarity for thousands of Bricksters. I want to develop speeches and presentations that make complex data and AI concepts compelling on the world's biggest stages.

Most importantly, I want to bring my truth management framework to bear on one of the most interesting communications challenges in enterprise software: helping Databricks maintain its clarity and focus while empowering every organization to be successful with data and AI.

I'd love to discuss how my experience advising executives at the highest levels, my technical fluency combined with exceptional storytelling, and my framework for reducing noise and creating alignment can help Databricks achieve its mission.

Thank you for your consideration.

Gary Sheng