About
Erin leads Talent at Gradient, working with founders on hiring strategy, org design, and key searches. She previously served as Head of Talent at Candid Health, built and ran Business Recruiting at Plaid (including its EMEA function), and began her career at Uber.
Experience
- GradientTalent Partnercurrent2026 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Drooks Talent ConsultingFractional Head of Talent / Recruiting Consultant2025 — 2026San Francisco Bay Area
- Candid HealthHead of Talent2023 — 2025San Francisco Bay Area
- PlaidHead of Business Recruiting2017 — 2022San Francisco Bay Area
- Forward, Inc.Head of Recruiting2016 — 2017San Francisco Bay Area
- Uber TechnologiesCorporate Recruiter2015 — 2016San Francisco Bay Area
- Uber TechnologiesOperations Recruiter (Latin America & West Coast)2013 — 2015San Francisco Bay Area
- Uber TechnologiesOperations Coordinator2013San Francisco Bay Area
- Career Group Inc.Recruiter2012Los Angeles
- Montage Hotels & ResortsHuman Resources2011Beverly Hills, CA
- Venice Family ClinicVolunteer2006 — 2008Los Angeles, CA
- Sotheby'sIntern2007Beverly Hills, CA
Colleagues at Gradient Ventures
Andrew Brackin
Partner at Gradient investing across vertical AI, healthcare, and the application layer
Anna Patterson
Founder and Managing Partner at Gradient Ventures
Clayton Petty
Partner at Gradient investing across every layer of AI
Darian Shirazi
Investor, entrepreneur, and Managing Partner at Gradient Ventures
Denise Teng
Partner at Gradient Ventures
Devon Buford
Operations Manager at Gradient Ventures
Donald Harrison
Managing Partner at Gradient Ventures
Emerson Kirk
Principal at Gradient Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Erin Drooks?
- Erin leads Talent at Gradient, working with founders on hiring strategy, org design, and key searches. She previously served as Head of Talent at Candid Health, built and ran Business Recruiting at Plaid (including its EMEA function), and began her career at Uber.
- Where does Erin Drooks work?
- Erin Drooks is Head of Talent at Gradient Ventures.
- Where did Erin Drooks go to school?
- Erin Drooks studied at Southern Methodist University (Bachelor of Arts, Sociology); SMU in Paris, France.
Same school
Also attended Southern Methodist University82
Minh DoAnalyst at Golden Gate VenturesJim DoehrmanAdvisor at Sierra VenturesTroy A. LeMaile-StovallCEO at Maryland TEDCOThomas MallakSenior Financial Analyst at AlleyCorpAlex GrasPrincipal at Mercury FundBeau BarnesCFO at JStar Capital Investments
+ 76 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Candid Health3
Also worked at Plaid39
Zach PerretCo-founder & CEO of Plaid; co-founder of MischiefWilliam HockeyCo-founder of Plaid; founder & CEO of ColumnSundeep PeechuGeneral Partner at Felicis VenturesDave MunichielloInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Santo PolitiInvestor at Spark CapitalArpan ShahInvestor at Spark Capital
+ 33 more
Also worked at Uber Technologies420
Bill GurleyGeneral Partner Emeritus at BenchmarkJason CalacanisFounder of LAUNCH; host of This Week in StartupsAndrew ChenGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzGarrett CampCo-founder of Uber and StumbleUpon; founder of ExpaRaquel UrtasunFounder & CEO of WaabiFrédérique DameInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)
+ 414 more
Also worked at Sotheby's10
Joanna Skoler GilmanChief Marketing and Communications Officer at .406 VenturesSelby DrummondSenior Strategic Officer at Plum Alley InvestmentsJean-Marc EtlinInvestor at Norte VenturesAmanda LukofSpecial Needs Advocate at AIFEmily BromfieldInvestor at &vestBrandon LeeAssociate at Dreamit Ventures
+ 4 more