Stefanie Underwood — CEO

I operate where executive strategy, operational discipline, and organizational execution intersect. As an Executive Business Partner supporting senior and EVP-level leadership at Proofpoint, I serve as a trusted proxy, business cadence owner, and strategic operations partner — translating high-level priorities into aligned execution, scalable systems, and measurable outcomes. Over the course of supporting multiple E-Staff and senior leaders through periods of growth, transformation, acquisition integration, and organizational transition, I’ve built a reputation for calm execution under pressure, proactive partnership, and exceptional follow-through. I thrive in fast-moving environments where priorities shift quickly, ambiguity is constant, and leadership leverage matters. My work spans executive operations, governance alignment, organizational planning, executive transition management, cross-functional coordination, and AI-enabled workflow modernization. I design structured operating rhythms that reduce friction, strengthen accountability, and keep priorities aligned through execution. I also lead AI enablement initiatives across executive support functions — building GPT-powered workflows, strategic prompt frameworks, and scalable productivity systems that improve executive communications, accelerate information synthesis, and modernize operational efficiency across E-Staff administrative teams. I believe executive partnership is measured by outcomes, not visibility. Whether operating strategically or tactically, I step in wherever needed to protect executive focus, create leverage, and ensure momentum never stalls. The best executive support is invisible when it works — because leaders are free to focus on what matters most.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic operations expert in the SaaS industry.

Location: Denver, Colorado, United States

Experience: 16 yrs 3 mos

Skills

Executive Business Partnership
Strategic Operations
Ai-enabled Execution
Operational Excellence
Executive Operations
Governance Alignment

Career Highlights

Expert in executive operations and strategic partnership.
Spearheaded AI initiatives to modernize workflows.
Proven track record in managing executive cadence and governance.

Work Experience

Proofpoint

Executive Business Partner | Executive Assistant | Office Manager (11 yrs 4 mos)

InteliSecure, a division of Proofpoint

Senior Executive Coordinator of Global Operations (6 yrs 1 mo)

Tenaska Marketing Ventures

Executive Assistant/Event Planner/Office Manager (1 yr 5 mos)

Thomas J. Tomazin, P.C.

Office Manager/Legal Assistant (1 yr 2 mos)

Jones International University

Records Coordinator (2 yrs 4 mos)

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) at University of Denver

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) at University of Hawai‘i System

at Bear Creek High School

Stefanie Underwood

CEO

Denver, Colorado, United States16 yrs 3 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchAI Enabled

Key Highlights

Expert in executive operations and strategic partnership.
Spearheaded AI initiatives to modernize workflows.
Proven track record in managing executive cadence and governance.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic operations expert in the SaaS industry.

Contact

sunderwood@proofpoint.com +1 408-517-4710 LinkedIn

Skills

Core Skills

Executive Business PartnershipStrategic OperationsAi-enabled ExecutionOperational ExcellenceExecutive OperationsGovernance Alignment

Other Skills

Strategic PlanningChange ManagementArtificial Intelligence (AI)Business Process ImprovementCross-Functional CoordinationGovernanceLarge Scale EventsCross-Functional LeadershipExecutive CommunicationsCommunicationsMarketing and Public RelationsPersonal InjuryCivil LitigationExecutive Administrative AssistanceEvent Planning

About

Experience

16 yrs 3 mos

Total Experience

4 yrs 5 mos

Average Tenure

11 yrs 4 mos

Current Experience

Proofpoint

Executive Business Partner | Executive Assistant | Office Manager

Feb 2015 – Present · 11 yrs 4 mos · Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States · Hybrid

Proofpoint (InteliSecure acquired in 2021)
Mar 2021 – Present
I operate at the intersection of executive strategy and structured execution.
As an Executive Business Partner supporting EVP-level leadership, I serve as a trusted proxy and business cadence owner, translating priorities into operating rhythms, decision frameworks, and measurable outcomes. My role is to increase executive capacity — ensuring leaders focus on the highest-value decisions while execution remains aligned and disciplined.
I design systems that create leverage.
From quarterly planning cadences and operating reviews to structured 30-60-90 executive integration frameworks, I build repeatable infrastructure that reduces reactive pivots and strengthens accountability across teams.
I partner cross-functionally across Finance, HR, Legal, and Operations, maintaining governance alignment while accelerating decision velocity. In defined areas, I operate with delegated authority across workforce actions and multi-million-dollar enterprise approvals.
Modernization is a core pillar of my work. I spearheaded AI enablement across the Executive Business Partner function, securing governance alignment and implementing GPT-enabled workflows that reduced low-leverage workload by 20% and elevated productivity across executive operations.
I measure my success by the value my leaders are able to create. Time is capital — and protecting it is one of the most powerful ways to drive enterprise impact. Whether designing operating systems or stepping in to remove immediate friction, I take ownership wherever needed to sustain momentum and deliver outcomes.
Open to conversations around Executive Business Partnership, Strategic Operations, and Associate Chief of Staff pathways.

Strategic PlanningChange ManagementExecutive Business PartnershipStrategic Operations

Intelisecure, a division of proofpoint

Senior Executive Coordinator of Global Operations

Feb 2015 – Mar 2021 · 6 yrs 1 mo · Greenwood Village · Hybrid

InteliSecure (Acquired by Proofpoint in 2021)
Partnered with CEO, CTO, CFO, Board of Directors, and EVP leadership to drive executive operating cadence, governance alignment, and cross-functional coordination within a global information security and data protection firm.
Led enterprise-level executive preparation cycles, including Board governance processes, Executive Leadership Team cadence, and global town halls, translating strategic priorities into structured execution and aligned follow-through. Designed repeatable workflows that strengthened accountability, improved communication clarity, and supported disciplined decision-making.
Oversaw executive-level programs and global leadership initiatives, including President’s Club, reinforcing performance culture while maintaining operational and budget discipline.
Operated within ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) standards, ensuring governance and compliance alignment across executive operations.
Retained through Proofpoint’s acquisition of InteliSecure to provide continuity of executive support and preserve institutional knowledge during enterprise integration.

Business Process ImprovementStrategic PlanningExecutive OperationsGovernance Alignment

Tenaska marketing ventures

Executive Assistant/Event Planner/Office Manager

Sep 2013 – Feb 2015 · 1 yr 5 mos · Denver

I provided direct high-level administrative support to the Vice President in addition to other team members. I was independently responsible for acting as office manager, as well as customer event planner. I organized agendas and made arrangements for committee, board, and other meetings. In addition, I prepared and managed travel arrangements, schedules as well as additional office events.

Strategic Planning

Thomas j. tomazin, p.c.

Office Manager/Legal Assistant

Jul 2012 – Sep 2013 · 1 yr 2 mos

Thomas J. Tomazin, P.C. Attorneys at Law (“TJT”) was established by Thomas J. Tomazin in 1983 to deliver superior civil litigation services. The attorneys at TJT specialize in dental malpractice, general medical negligence, nursing home abuse, and personal injury matters resulting in catastrophic injuries.
I provided direct executive support to both attorneys.