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Jennifer P.

Jennifer Powell

Break into AI Careers: Current Perplexity & Former xAI Finance Lead

  • Perplexity AI Logo

    Perplexity AI

Available Saturday

Starting at 2:00 PM UTC

I can have more availability outside these windows by request.

Questions?

You can start chatting with Jennifer before you get started.

Work with Jennifer

About

Jennifer also coaches for Corporate Development, FP&A, and AI Careers. View all.

Jennifer’s Break Into AI Careers Qualifications

Experience level: Vice President

As the first strategic finance hire at xAI and Perplexity.ai, I have experience working at two of the leading AI companies with deep relationships across the ecosystem. AI is a new and evolving industry, and securing a role requires the right combination of intelligence, networking, and grit. As an interviewer across the entire business (sales, data science, engineering, partnerships, accounting, finance) and an active hiring manager I know what it takes to get in the door, crush interviews, and succeed post-hire.

Jennifer can help with:

Interview Prep

Job Search Strategies

Networking Strategy

Resume

Salary Negotiation

Skill Building

Work Experience

Perplexity AI Logo

Head of Strategic Finance

Perplexity AI

September 2025 - Present

Hiring Manager

Lead strategic finance including investor relations, treasury, company forecast, strategy, operations, and partnership and vendor negotiations.

x.ai Logo

Corporate & AI Infrastructure Finance

x.ai

June 2025 - September 2025

Hiring Manager

Led corporate finance including company model and cash flow forecasting, Enterprise GTM, and datacenter planning, financing, and execution.

Instacart Logo

Corporate Finance & Special Projects

Instacart

October 2021 - June 2025

Hiring Manager

IPO, corporate finance, transformative partnerships, M&A, IR, board, and executive support

J.P. Morgan Logo

Investment Banking Senior Analyst

J.P. Morgan

December 2020 - October 2021

Interviewer

Global Technology Group M&A and Capital Markets

Union Square Advisors Logo

Investment Banking Analyst

Union Square Advisors

May 2019 - December 2020

Interviewer

Technology M&A and Private Capital Advisory

Education

BYU Marriott School of Business Logo

BYU Marriott School of Business

B.S., Finance