From Chief of Staff to Chief of Change: Clara’s Vision for a New Kind of Leadership

Welcome to Radhika’s Newsletter “Intent”. This is your 3x/month guide to purposeful living, wealth-building, and personal growth.

I’m so excited to introduce our next Intent in Action feature: Clara!

I met Clara through a mutual friend about 2 years ago when I was exploring a transition into a Chief of Staff role. From our very first call, we instantly clicked, and I knew I could learn so much from her.

We stayed in touch as I worked toward that goal, and after I moved to NYC, we became friends who met up often. Over the years, I’ve watched Clara grow her business and it’s been so inspiring.

I can’t wait to share her story with you!

Can you tell us a bit about who you are and the transition you made in your career or life?

I’m Clara Ma, the Founder & CEO of Ask a Chief of Staff.

After years of working in fast-paced, venture-backed startups, often behind the scenes scaling operations and executive functions, I made the leap to build a platform that elevates strategic operators, especially women and people of color, into the right-hand roles that power high-growth companies.

My transition was from being an internal operator to becoming an entrepreneur and ecosystem builder. Someone who doesn’t just run companies, but helps shape how they are run.

More on my journey here: https://askachiefofstaff.substack.com/p/issue-59-my-chief-of-staff-journey

What was the turning point that inspired you to make this change or pursue this new direction?

The turning point came when I found out that a male counterpart—doing the same work I was, if not less—was making significantly more money. I was outperforming, carrying heavier responsibilities, and yet I wasn’t being compensated accordingly.

That moment shattered any illusion I had that merit alone was enough. It made me question the systems we operate in and lit a fire in me to build something different.

I kept thinking: What if we didn’t just accept this inequity, but created a platform that actively elevates overlooked talent into positions of power? That’s what pushed me to leave the comfort of being in-house and build Ask a Chief of Staff.

What steps did you take to approach this transition intentionally, and how did you plan for success?

I didn’t just jump, I built quietly at first.

I started by validating demand: advising CEOs, helping friends hire Chiefs of Staff, and watching for patterns in what early-stage companies actually needed. I designed a lean business model with low overhead, intentionally choosing offerings, like success-fee recruiting and a paid community, that would generate revenue quickly and sustainably.

I also anchored myself in purpose early on: This wasn’t just about building a company, it was about creating a new career pathway for people like me.

What challenges or doubts did you face along the way, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was stepping into visibility. I had always thrived behind the scenes, making others look good, keeping things running but now I had to become the face of something. That felt vulnerable and unfamiliar.

I also grappled with imposter syndrome and cultural expectations. As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, entrepreneurship wasn’t something my parents had context for. Their version of success was rooted in security: Getting a good job, staying on a clear path.

Explaining that I was walking away from a steady role to build something from scratch felt like speaking another language. What helped was staying grounded in my purpose and surrounding myself with other women rewriting the rules.

It reminded me that just because a path is unfamiliar doesn’t mean it’s the wrong one.

What impact has this transition had on your life, and how has it shaped your vision for the future?

This transition gave me agency over my time, my values, and my voice. I now get to build a business that reflects what I believe leadership should look like: inclusive, operationally excellent, and deeply human.

It’s also expanded my vision. What started as a niche service has grown into a platform that influences how modern companies hire, develop, and retain talent. Looking ahead, I see Ask a Chief of Staff not just as a company, but as a movement. One that redefines power and career pathways for a generation of strategic operators.

If someone in a similar position is reading this, what advice would you give them about taking that first step?

Start before you feel fully ready. Clarity often comes through action, not before it.

Take one small, intentional step toward the life you want, whether it’s sending a cold email, testing an idea, or saying no to something that’s no longer aligned.

And don’t underestimate the power of building in public. When you show up consistently and share what you’re creating, the right people will start to find you and momentum follows.

How did staying true to your intentions guide you through this transition, and what role did clarity of purpose play in your journey?

Clarity of purpose was my compass. I wasn’t just building a business, I was building a more equitable vision of leadership.

That intention kept me grounded when I faced doubt or external pressure to “scale fast” in ways that didn’t align. It reminded me that growth doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. By staying true to the why, I’ve been able to make decisions that feel both strategic and deeply personal. That’s what keeps the work fulfilling, not just successful.

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Your commitment to living with purpose is exactly why this space exists. Can’t wait to share more in the next edition!

Until next time,
Radhika
Creating a life of purpose, wealth, and growth.