Touching Base with Shanna Wood Chief of Staff at TG0

‘I never thought I’d work in tech. It’s been fascinating’: Meet Shanna Wood, TG0’s Chief of Staff

Hi Shanna! Where are you from?

I grew up in New Hampshire, about an hour from both Boston and the mountains. It was a great place to grow up. My parents didn’t have traditional college degrees — but they emphasized education. My biggest inspiration, though, was my grandmother. She pursued higher education later in life, opened factories in China, and was even granted a patent. She was my biggest champion and helped fund my move to London before she passed away 18 months ago.

What did you want to be growing up?

I didn’t know many career paths beyond the medical or legal fields or owning a business. But a high school marketing class changed that—a teacher pointed out my knack for it. I joined the marketing club (DECA), competing nationally with a mock company, complete with a business plan and marketing campaign. That experience, combined with my love of strategy and creativity, set me on my path.

You studied at the University of Vermont (UVM). Why UVM?

UVM has a great business school, strong scholarships, and an emphasis on well-rounded education. I majored in marketing with minors in sociology and history, which helped shape my generalist mindset.

How did your career evolve after college?

At UVM, I joined a case competition course under Dr. Rocki-Lee DeWitt, a brilliant professor and former business school dean. That experience sharpened my strategic skills and led to key industry connections. Thanks to a business school board member’s recommendation, I landed my first job at Fortune Magazine as a marketing assistant. From there, I moved to Warner Media, working with Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, managing partnerships with brands like Hasbro, PepsiCo, Taco Bell, and Geico.

After four years, I was recruited by Nickelodeon for a global preschool marketing role. It seemed like a great opportunity, but I quickly realized the role and lack of mentorship weren’t for me. After three years (and a merger), I was ready for a change.

Is that when you moved to London?

Yes! A close friend had moved for an MBA and encouraged me to do the same. I had always wanted to pursue a master’s degree, and at 28, I felt it was the perfect time. I enrolled at Kingston University, though much of my experience was shaped by the pandemic. But moving to London led me to meet my husband—we’ve since had a baby and just celebrated our third wedding anniversary.

How did you find TG0?

I needed part-time work while studying and kept seeing TG0 pop up on job sites. I had no idea what they did, but their office was near where I lived. I applied, got an interview, and started part-time before transitioning to full-time Marketing Director a year later.

How has TG0 evolved since you joined in 2020?

It’s grown dramatically. We’ve doubled our headcount, expanded to a new office in Putney, and opened a satellite location in Hong Kong. We’re working with larger, more prestigious clients across industries from automotive to healthcare. I never imagined myself in tech, let alone hardware, but being surrounded by such brilliant minds has been fascinating.

You were recently promoted to Chief of Staff. What does that entail?

The role varies by company, but for me, it blends strategy, communication, and cross-functional leadership. I oversee key cross-company initiatives and strategy, external communications, employee training, recruitment, and culture-building. It’s a steep learning curve, but an exciting one.

You had your daughter in 2023. How did TG0 support your maternity leave?

There aren’t enough women in STEM, and I was the first at TG0 to become a mum. As a startup, we had to navigate parental leave policies in real-time. I took two months off, then eased back in part-time before returning full-time after six months. Ming (TG0’s CEO) and the team were incredibly flexible. My advice to expectant mothers? Give yourself grace—you can change your mind about what you need and advocate for it.

What do you do outside of work?

I love cooking, I have a fortnightly dinner club with friends, where we try new dishes and catch up over wine. I’m also an avid reader—recently finished Circe by Madeline Miller.

Something your colleagues wouldn’t expect?

Probably how nerdy I am! My husband and I play video games together, and I’ve hosted Lord of the Rings-themed dinners. I also love history podcasts—Hardcore History by Dan Carlin and Last Podcast on the Left are my go-to listens.

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