Handshake Appointed Stephen Rocco Rodi as Communications Chief
The San Francisco-based company announced the leadership hire on September 25, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in People
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Handshake has brought on Stephen Rocco Rodi as its new Chief Communications Officer to lead messaging for the San Francisco-based firm. Rodi joins the company alongside new leaders Nishant Ranka and Wes Field.
Why it matters
As the company shifts focus toward training AI models to perform tasks for labs and corporate clients, the appointment of a seasoned communications lead signals a push to define its market position. The company is actively building out its AI-focused leadership team.
Stephen Rocco Rodi brings 7.5 years of experience from his time at Meta to his new role as Chief Communications Officer. The scope of his mandate at the San Francisco-based firm remains an internal matter currently under development.
The players
Stephen Rocco Rodi
The new Chief Communications Officer at Handshake who previously managed product and AI communications at Chime.
Garrett Lord
The CEO of Handshake to whom the new communications lead will report.
Nishant Ranka
The founder and president of Handshake Labs who is joining the company's new leadership group.
Wes Field
The new Chief Commercial Officer for Handshake AI.
The details
Stephen Rocco Rodi will report directly to CEO Garrett Lord, overseeing communications across all departments. He arrives following a tenure at Chime, where he led product and AI communications. The company also announced that Nishant Ranka will lead Handshake Labs, while Wes Field steps in as Chief Commercial Officer for Handshake AI.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Handshake announced the appointment of Stephen Rocco Rodi.
Across the Bay
This appointment follows the documented citywide trend of local tech firms aggressively recruiting executive talent to oversee their AI product portfolios. Handshake's shift mirrors similar organizational restructuring seen across the San Francisco AI sector this year.
Residents working in the local tech sector may notice shifts in how Handshake communicates its product releases and AI capabilities. There are no immediate changes to local services or public access for San Francisco residents.
The takeaway
San Franciscans in the tech industry should track whether these new leadership appointments lead to an expansion of the firm's local footprint. Keep an eye on the company's upcoming releases to see if their AI tasks strategy gains traction.
Further reading
For more on the changing leadership landscape in our city's tech sector, visit San Francisco People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PRovoke Media.
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