Elaine Mak
About Elaine Mak
Elaine Mak serves as the Chief People and Performance Officer at Valimail, where she has implemented initiatives that significantly improved employee engagement and organizational culture. With a background in developmental psychology and extensive experience in talent management, she has been recognized for her contributions to workforce diversity and innovative leadership practices.
Work at Valimail
Elaine Mak serves as the Chief People and Performance Officer at Valimail, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she has contributed to the company's transformation into a fully remote business. Mak has focused on enhancing employee engagement, leading to a significant increase in Valimail's Employee Net Promoter Score from -7 to +56. She has also implemented initiatives that prioritize collaboration and accountability within the organization.
Previous Experience at City Year
Before joining Valimail, Elaine Mak worked at City Year as Vice President of Talent Management from 2003 to 2015. During her 12 years in this role, she was based in Boston, MA, and played a key part in talent management strategies and organizational development. Her efforts contributed to a culture that emphasized employee engagement and performance.
Education and Expertise
Elaine Mak earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology from Suffolk University. Her educational background supports her expertise in organizational change and performance management. She has developed methodologies such as The Mak Effect™, which focuses on creating high-performance cultures while reducing waste and increasing workforce productivity.
Achievements in Leadership and Diversity
Elaine Mak has been recognized for her efforts in promoting gender diversity within executive leadership teams, achieving up to 55% female-identifying members. She has also been acknowledged as a Female Thought Leader of the Year by the Stevie Awards and named a Top Big Innovator by Business Intelligence. Her organizational change initiative, From Perks to Performance™, has garnered seven Best Places to Work accolades, including recognition from Fast Company.
Advisory Roles and Contributions
In addition to her role at Valimail, Elaine Mak serves as an Advisory Board Member at Vityl since 2023 and is a Founding Member of Chief since 2021. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to leadership development and fostering inclusive work environments. She advocates for a 'People First' distributed leadership model that values diverse perspectives in decision-making.