Sharifah Masten is a dynamic HR executive, entrepreneur, and changemaker with over two decades of cross-sector experience spanning the military, nonprofit, and corporate arenas. She currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Barbaricum, a mission-driven federal contractor supporting national security initiatives across five continents. In this role, she leads transformative people strategies that integrate organizational growth with a deep commitment to inclusion, well-being, and culture-building. A former Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Army, Sharifah’s leadership is anchored in operational discipline, strategic empathy, and mission alignment. Her approach blends executive insight with a people-centric philosophy, building systems that drive performance while empowering individuals. From employee experience design and workforce analytics to cultivating environments of belonging and leadership development, her work ensures HR is not just a function—but a force for impact. Sharifah is also the Executive Director of Mission 2 Change, a nonprofit advancing workforce development and community empowerment, and a Partner at Counterpoint Collective, where she advises executives and organizations on leadership strategy, culture transformation, and sustainable growth. She also provides coaching and consulting to purpose-driven leaders navigating change. At the heart of all her work is the belief that real leadership is about creating the conditions where people thrive—and organizations rise with them.