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Mark Stephenson

Chief Customer Officer, Evisort...we are building a great company to modernize contracting for business impact

Professional Background

Mark Stephenson is a highly accomplished sales leader with an extensive career spanning over 25 years in the solution sales space, emphasizing high-performance enterprise software sales teams. His profound expertise is rooted in working with growth-oriented venture-backed SaaS software disruptors like Avi Networks, which was acquired by VMware, and CloudPassage, alongside notable roles at industry giants such as HP and Cisco. Mark's impressive track record in strategic go-to-market (GTM) partnerships showcases his ability to accelerate sales growth and enhance customer success.

Having developed a comprehensive four-pronged growth playbook, Mark adeptly addresses the challenges of "sales debt," enabling organizations to rapidly scale their GTM functions. His collaborative, high-energy leadership style thrives on aligning diverse sales strategies, optimizing direct and channel sales, alliances, lead generation, and customer success initiatives. This multifaceted approach consistently yields outstanding results that advance both customer satisfaction and business objectives.

Education and Achievements

Mark's educational foundation is strong, holding a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles, and an MBA in General Management and Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. His commitment to ongoing learning and professional development complements his hands-on experience in the tech sales landscape.

Throughout his career, Mark has held several key leadership roles. Most notably, he served as the Chief Customer Officer at Evisort, where he leveraged his extensive background to enhance customer outcomes, driving overall company growth. Furthermore, his prior experience includes being a Founding Advisory Board Member at Sales Community, showcasing his commitment to fostering talent within the industry.

As the Vice President of Sales for Americas & ANZ at Avi Networks, Mark played an instrumental role in the company’s ascent leading to its acquisition by VMware in July 2019. He was also an Advisor at Zingbox Inc., which was acquired by Palo Alto Networks in September 2019, illustrating his ability to guide organizations through transformative phases successfully. His tenure as EVP of Sales at CloudPassage and Vice President of Sales at Digital Realty further highlights his leadership prominence in achievement-oriented environments.

At Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Mark held the significant position of Vice President for US & Global Account Sales, where he successfully drove strategic sales initiatives across various verticals. His career trajectory also includes notable operational roles at Cisco Systems, initially as Operations Director for Northern California Enterprise and then as Regional Manager for High-Tech Enterprise, fostering strong sales processes and demonstrating exceptional leadership in a matrix organizational structure. Finally, as VP of Sales & Services Operations at Giantloop Network, Inc., which was acquired by CNT, Inc., Mark rounded out an impressive career filled with contributions to thriving sales organizations.

Notable Achievements

Mark Stephenson's career is marked by multiple significant achievements that reflect both his leadership and sales acumen. His strategic insights and collaborative approach have led to the successful scaling of sales teams across various organizations. By implementing modern SaaS frameworks focused on customer success, he has continuously optimized growth metrics, leaving a positive impact on company trajectories.

He is recognized not just for driving sales, but for empowering individuals within the organizations he leads. His prowess as a talent developer ensures that his teams do not merely meet quotas, but also align with broader corporate visions actively promoting a customer-centric approach that drives sustainable long-term growth. Mark’s reputation as a “deal whisperer” underscores his unique ability to understand customer needs deeply and facilitate deals that create lasting value for both the customer and the business.

In summary, Mark Stephenson stands out as a thought leader in enterprise software sales, blending strategic insights with a focus on talent development and customer success. His journey through dynamic technology environments is a testament to his dedication to driving performance, aligning diverse teams, and constantly pursuing excellence. As he continues to shape the future of sales in high-growth companies, Mark remains a pivotal asset in the SaaS industry.

Related Questions

How did Mark Stephenson develop his expertise in building high-performance enterprise software sales teams?
What inspired Mark Stephenson to focus on customer success in SaaS software?
Can Mark Stephenson share more about the four-pronged growth playbook he developed?
What are some of the key results Mark Stephenson achieved while serving as VP of Sales at Avi Networks?
How has Mark Stephenson's educational background influenced his approach to sales leadership?
In what ways has Mark Stephenson contributed to the growth and success of Evisort as Chief Customer Officer?
What lessons has Mark Stephenson learned from his extensive career in both startups and large corporations?
How does Mark Stephenson's experience at Cisco and HP inform his current sales strategies?
What techniques does Mark Stephenson employ to align sales teams with corporate objectives?
How does Mark Stephenson define "sales debt" and what strategies does he use to clear it effectively?
Mark Stephenson
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Location

San Francisco, California, United States