Hayden Brown serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Upwork, the world’s largest freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals.
She has been with Upwork since 2011 and has held various leadership roles.
Before being named CEO in January 2020, Brown’s roles at Upwork included Chief Marketing and Product Officer, where she expanded Upwork’s offerings to attract and serve sophisticated business buyers.
She has, however, spoken in interviews about the influence of her time spent living in Kathmandu, Nepal, during her childhood, which she cites as a formative experience that influenced her passion for creating economic opportunities for others.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Hayden Brown |
| Position | President and CEO of Upwork |
| Previous Roles at Upwork | Chief Marketing and Product Officer |
| Tenure at Upwork | Since 2011 |
| Passion & Commitment | Creating economic opportunities for better lives, inspired by time spent in Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Previous Employment | Corporate Development for LivePerson, Strategy and Corporate Development roles at Microsoft |
| Education | AB in Politics from Princeton University |
| Awards | Named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ “40 Under 40” and “Global Power 150—Women in Staffing” |
| Personal Life | Married with two children |
| Net Worth | $35 million |
| Upwork Stock Ownership | 1,012,262 shares worth more than $14,019,829 (as of August 14th, 2023) |
| Annual Salary | $1,020,000.00 as CEO at Upwork |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Contact Address | Corporate mailing: 2625 Augustine Drive Suite 601, Santa Clara CA, 95054 |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |
| Recent Stock Transaction | Sold 28,485 shares on June 20th at an average price of $9.14, totalling $260,352.90 |
| Upwork’s Active Insiders | Includes Eric Gilpin (VP), Thomas Layton (Insider), Jeff McCombs (CFO), Elizabeth Nelson (Director), Leela Srinivasan (Director), and Gary Steele (Director) |
| Insider Trading Activity | In the last twelve months, insiders sold a total of 311,021 shares worth more than $3,787,061.54 |
| Insider Ownership | Insiders at Upwork own 9.0% of the company |
Let’s explore the net worth report, early life, and controversies surrounding Hayden Brown.
Hayden Brown: Early Life and Career
Early Life:
- Childhood years spent living in Kathmandu, Nepal
Education:
- Earned an AB in Politics from Princeton University
Early Career:
- Sep 2004 – Jul 2007: Began her career as an analyst at McKinsey and Company
- Jan 2010 – Sep 2010: Held strategy and corporate development roles at Microsoft
- Sep 2010 – Nov 2011: Led corporate development for LivePerson
Career at Upwork:
- 2011: Joined Upwork (which was known as Elance-oDesk at the time), taking on various leadership roles
- Mar 2019 – Jan 2020: Served as Upwork’s Chief Marketing and Product Officer, leading the expansion of Upwork’s offerings
- January 2020: Named CEO of Upwork, succeeding Stephane Kasriel
Awards and Recognition:
- Named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ “40 Under 40”
- Named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ “Global Power 150—Women in Staffing”
Personal Life:
- Married with two children
Hayden Brown: Major sources of income
As the CEO of Upwork, Hayden Brown likely receives a base salary, which is a fixed amount of money paid to her for her role as the chief executive officer.
As a top executive at a publicly traded company, Hayden Brown likely holds equity awards, such as stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs).
These awards give her a stake in the company and align her financial incentives with the company’s performance.
Like many individuals, Hayden Brown may have personal investments, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or stakes in other companies, that generate income.
Specific details about her investments, if they exist, are likely private.
| Source of Income | Description | Estimated Earning |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | CEO of Upwork | $1,020,000 per year |
| Equity | Ownership stake in Upwork. Hayden Brown owns 1,012,262 shares of Upwork Inc (UPWK) as of June 20, 2023. | $14 Million |
| Stock Options | Options to buy Upwork stock at a predetermined price. Most recently she exercised 54,395 units of UPWK stock worth $771,865 on 18 June 2023 | $771,865 |
| Speaking Engagements | Options to buy Upwork stock at a predetermined price. Most recently, she exercised 54,395 units of UPWK stock worth $771,865 on 18 June 2023 | $20K-30K per event |
Moreover, her base salary, Hayden Brown may receive bonuses and other forms of incentive compensation based on her performance and the performance of Upwork.
Upwork.com: Controversies and Issues
Check Scams:
Some freelancers on Upwork have fallen victim to check scams. In these scams, a supposed client hires a freelancer and sends them a check to buy supplies for their home office.
The freelancer deposits the check and, once it appears to have cleared, uses the funds to send money to accounts specified by the client.
Later, the bank notified the freelancer that the check was fraudulent, leaving the freelancer with an overdrawn bank account.
For example, Chris O’Reilly, a user of Upwork, received an offer letter from a supposed pharmaceutical company, Sanofi.
He was sent a check to buy supplies for his home office. After depositing the check and sending money to accounts as instructed, he found his bank account overdrawn by nearly $3,000.
Off-Platform Scams:
Scammers on Upwork often persuade job seekers to move their conversations to phone calls, conduct interviews over Skype, or transfer payments using peer-to-peer cash transfer apps instead of Upwork’s payment processing system.
Once the conversation moves off the Upwork platform, Upwork can no longer monitor or address suspicious activity.
For example, a woman in Washington, D.C., applied for positions on Upwork and was scammed out of $2,300. She was sent a check to make payments for a supposed job, which she deposited.
The check appeared to clear, but she later found out it was fraudulent after sending payments through Cash App as instructed by the scammer.
Account Misuse Scams:
Scammers on Upwork have sought individuals willing to hand over their Upwork accounts to be used to run scams, often in exchange for a cut of the proceeds.
These scammers often approach individuals on other job sites, like Freelancer.com, and ask for credentials for their Upwork account.
For example, Heath Douglass, a voice artist and teacher based in Brazil, mentioned that he received messages on Freelancer.com from scammers asking for his Upwork profile credentials.
Upwork’s Response and Legal Responsibility:
Upwork has stated that users agree to its terms of service when signing up, which requires all communication and transactions to occur on the Upwork platform.
When users take their conversations off Upwork, the company states it can no longer monitor for or address suspicious activity.
Some argue that Upwork, by representing itself as a safe place to find work, may have some legal responsibility to its users to deal with scams and fraudulent activity more than it currently does.
Veena Dubal, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law, suggested that companies like Upwork, which depend on contract labor, should have a greater responsibility towards their workers rather than treating scams or exploitation as just the price of doing business.
Upwork.com: Critics and Reviews
Upwork is a global freelancing platform connecting businesses with independent professionals.
As a prominent platform, it has received varied feedback from freelancers and clients.
This review highlights common praises and criticisms based on user experiences with Upwork.
Positive Reviews and Praise for Upwork:
Many freelancers and clients appreciate Upwork’s ability to connect skilled professionals with various job opportunities globally. Here are some critical positive aspects highlighted by users.
- Flexibility and Freedom:
- Freelancers appreciate Upwork’s flexibility, allowing them to choose projects that match their skills and work at their own pace.
- Global Opportunities:
- Upwork is often praised for providing a global platform where freelancers can connect with clients worldwide.
- Review System:
- Freelancers generally appreciate the review and rating system on Upwork as it helps them to identify reputable clients.
- Learning and Growth:
- Some freelancers mention that each project on Upwork teaches them something new and helps them to grow professionally.
Criticisms and Negative Reviews of Upwork:
Despite its benefits, Upwork has faced criticism from some users, ranging from its fee structure to payment and account issues. Here are some notable complaints that have been voiced about Upwork.
- Fees:
- One of the most common criticisms of Upwork is the fee structure. Freelancers are required to pay a percentage of their earnings to Upwork, which some feel is too high.
- Competition:
- Due to the large number of freelancers on the platform, competition for jobs, especially lower-paying jobs, can be intense.
- Payment Issues:
- Some freelancers have reported issues with the payment system, including delays in receiving funds or problems with specific payment methods.
- Unverified Clients:
- Some freelancers have noted that not all clients on Upwork have verified payment methods, which can sometimes lead to issues with non-payment.
- Account Suspensions:
- There have been reports of sudden account suspensions without clear explanations, which can be disruptive for freelancers who rely on the platform for income.
Wrapping Up:
Hayden Brown, the CEO of Upwork, has a significant net worth, primarily tied to her position at the company.
Her leadership at Upwork is central to her professional identity, and she is known for her commitment to the company’s mission.
Despite the platform’s success, Upwork, under Brown’s leadership, has faced criticisms about its fee structure and user experience.
As the platform grows, these criticisms represent critical challenges for Brown and her team.
