Janel Wellborn

As the founder & managing partner of Peerless Partners, a boutique consulting firm working with Fortune clients across three continents, Janel immerses herself in her clients' organizations to drive cultural transformation by shifting mindsets at every level. She empowers teams to make small but meaningful adjustments in their ways of working, resulting in improvements in their ability to meet customer needs and deliver measurable business value. 

Her work is fueled by a passion for helping people become more effective and engaged in their roles—whether at the individual, team, or organizational level. By facilitating changes that nurture talent and reshape organizational culture, Janel creates environments where individuals and teams can thrive and achieve their greatest impact as they leverage technology to improve their customer and associate experiences. 

Janel is also a professor at UC Berkeley, specializing in product management, negotiation, and leadership.  She is dedicated to equipping aspiring engineering leaders with the skills needed to excel, beyond their technical expertise. Known for her engaging teaching style and practical approach, Janel combines academic rigor with real-world applications, inspiring them to collaborate and influence within their chosen fields. 

As the CEO of Try This First, Janel is leading efforts to bring ClearPop—a groundbreaking, medicine-free solution for children's earache relief—to market. Stretching herself in a new industry (biomedical/public health), she's learning quickly as she tackles challenges like FDA reclassification and grassroots marketing. 

Beyond her professional achievements, she is incredibly involved in her community. Janel has been engaged with the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) since 2011, and when she was an active member, she served on the board and management team – leading fund development, special events, placement, and new member teams. While she is currently a sustainer, she remains active serving as special events chair for the Touch a Truck events. Janel’s passion for community service extends beyond her involvement in the Junior League. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), she advocates for foster youth, while her 12-year leadership in Girl Scouts and tenure serving as President of the Board for nonprofit athletic organizations like the Berkeley Athletic Fund reflects her dedication to youth development. 

Committed to lifelong learning, Janel is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial & Organizational Psychology at Harvard, exemplifying her belief in continuous growth. By investing in her own development, she models the values of curiosity and self-improvement that she encourages in her students, clients, and volunteer organizations.