Who Is Sheila Lirio Marcelo?

Sheila Lirio Marcelo is a Filipino-American entrepreneur, technology executive, and innovator best known as the founder of Care.com, one of the world’s largest online marketplaces for caregiving services. With more than two decades of experience building consumer technology platforms, she is recognized for her leadership in the care economy, digital marketplaces, and artificial intelligence. She is currently the Co-Founder and CEO of Ohai.ai, a generative AI company designed to help families manage daily life.

Early Life and Education

Sheila Lirio Marcelo was born in the Philippines and raised in an entrepreneurial family involved in agriculture, transportation, and retail businesses. Her early exposure to entrepreneurship shaped her interest in business, leadership, and problem-solving. She later moved to Houston, Texas, where she continued her education.

Marcelo earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, magna cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College. She went on to attend Harvard University, earning both a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). She graduated with honors and received the Dean’s Award, reflecting her strong academic performance and leadership potential.

Early Career and Professional Experience

Before founding Care.com, Marcelo built a diverse professional background across consulting, education, and technology leadership.

She worked as a consultant at Monitor Company, where she gained experience in strategy and organizational development. She also served as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard Business School, supporting coursework in leadership and entrepreneurship.

Marcelo later held senior executive roles in consumer and technology companies, including:

• Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at Upromise, a platform focused on helping families save for college
• Vice President and General Manager at TheLadders, a professional job-search and career platform

She also served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Matrix Partners, where she developed the business plan that led to the creation of Care.com.

Founding Care.com

In 2006, Sheila Lirio Marcelo founded Care.com after experiencing firsthand the challenges of finding reliable childcare and eldercare. Recognizing a widespread need, she created a trusted online marketplace connecting families with caregivers.

Care.com expanded to offer services including childcare, senior care, tutoring, pet care, and housekeeping. Under Marcelo’s leadership, the company raised over $111 million in venture capital, expanded internationally, and became the largest digital platform in the care services industry.

In 2014, Care.com went public, marking a major milestone for the care economy. Marcelo later transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairwoman in 2019. In 2020, Care.com was acquired by IAC for $500 million, becoming a private company while continuing global operations.

Later Ventures and Artificial Intelligence

After Care.com, Marcelo continued to focus on education, caregiving, and technology innovation.

In 2022, she founded Proof of Learn, an education technology platform designed to make learning more accessible through a learn-and-earn model, with a focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.

In 2024, she co-founded Ohai.ai, where she serves as Co-Founder and CEO. Ohai.ai uses generative AI to help families manage schedules, tasks, and household coordination through simple text-based interactions. The company reflects Marcelo’s continued focus on solving real-world problems with human-centered technology.

She has also served as a Venture Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and is a founding board member of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF).

Awards and Recognition

Sheila Lirio Marcelo has received numerous awards and honors for her entrepreneurial leadership, including:

• Fortune’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
• Forbes 50 Over 50
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum
• Henry Crown Fellow, Aspen Institute
• Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award
• Filipino Heritage Award (Pamana ng Pilipino) from the President of the Philippines

Leadership, Advocacy, and Influence

Marcelo is widely recognized for her advocacy on behalf of caregivers, women in leadership, and underrepresented communities. She regularly speaks on entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of work and care, sharing insights from building and scaling mission-driven technology companies.

Sheila Lirio Marcelo’s Legacy

Sheila Lirio Marcelo’s career reflects a commitment to combining technology, empathy, and entrepreneurship. From founding Care.com to leading AI-driven platforms like Ohai.ai, she has reshaped how families access care and support in the modern economy. Her work continues to influence the intersection of technology, social impact, and artificial intelligence.