In this episode, Kelly Hopping sits down with Bruno Bertini, Chief Marketing Officer at 8x8, to explore what it takes to build an impactful career in marketing and lead with authenticity in today’s tech-driven landscape. Bruno shares how his unconventional journey—spanning customer experience, sales, and marketing—shaped his deep understanding of buyer psychology and organizational transformation.

From orchestrating AI-powered brand strategies to leading a company-wide pivot from UCaaS to CX, Bruno offers pragmatic insights on harmonizing long-term brand equity with short-term revenue pressure. He discusses building marketing culture from the inside out, developing nuanced customer messaging, and why he believes zigzagging through disciplines is a leadership advantage, not a liability.

Tune in to hear how Bruno leverages AI to scale messaging, the importance of emotional buyer insights, and why curiosity is the new superpower for modern CMOs.

Ed Breault, CMO of Malbek, joins Kelly to share his journey from nuclear energy to MarTech to legal tech, and why seeking discomfort fuels his growth.

Together they unpack boardroom communication strategies, AI-first mindsets, and the importance of building diagnostic pipelines. With stories of “buzzsaw” boardroom moments and lessons in pacing, Ed offers tactical advice for navigating executive visibility and embracing curiosity-driven leadership.

What does it take to lead with purpose and drive business growth marketing? Zarina Stanford, CMO of Bazaarvoice, joins Kelly to share her journey, the power of being mission-driven, and how presence and engagement shape leadership. Together they dive into cross-functional alignment, the art and science of marketing, and offer practical advice for aspiring leaders on finding their voice and embracing agility.

What happens when you blend data, psychology, and storytelling in marketing leadership? In this episode, Bryan Law, CMO of SentinelOne, joins Kelly to share his thoughts on just that, while highlighting his journey to the C-suite. Together, they dive into the art and science of impactful marketing, from how testing, emotional resonance, and brand distinction drive results, to the power of storytelling in both learning and brand building. Plus, tune in for advice on how to balance speed with thoughtfulness and other advice for aspiring CMOs.

How can marketing leaders drive both growth and customer success? 

Sydney Sloan, CMO at G2, shares the ins and outs of leading GTM teams, from alignment to execution. Sydney shares her career journey with Kelly, including lessons from her time as an Executive in Residence, and how aligning marketing with business goals creates impact. 

Listen in as they discuss maturity models, sales enablement, leadership development, and the evolving role of marketing as a driver of business strategy.

Want your sales and marketing teams to be like peanut butter and jelly, instead of like oil and vinegar? 

Wesleyne Whittaker, Founder & Chief Transformation Officer at Transformed Sales, and Kelly share advice to help make it happen. 

In this episode, Wesleyne shares her journey from a chemist to a successful sales strategist and leadership expert. Listen in as they discuss the importance of leadership in sales and how to empower teams for better performance. Together they emphasize the need for collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and having the heart of a teacher in sales management.

What does being a softball coach and a sales coach have in common? 

Taylor Hatfield, Executive Sales Coach at Lushin, says authenticity. 

In this episode, Kelly and Taylor discuss Taylor's journey from being a collegiate softball coach to a sales coach, the importance of authenticity in selling, and how this all relates back to marketers. 

Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding personality types, sales psychology, and the significance of empowering teams through positive beliefs rather than fear-based leadership.

How can marketers build and leverage engaged audiences? Arun Lal, VP of Marketing at DocketAI, says communities play a critical role. Tune in for a conversation between Kelly Hopping and Arun on the importance of community building in startups and the challenges and opportunities in marketing AI products. In this episode, Arun emphasizes the need for a shift in how businesses approach workflows with AI, advocating for a re-imagination of processes rather than mere automation.

What will the CMO role look like in 3-5 years? Kelly Hopping and Alicia Hale, SVP of Growth Marketing at Demandbase and a two-time CMO, explore the future of the CMO role and how AI will make an impact. Tune in for an energetic conversation around how AI is transforming marketing strategies, enhancing personalization, and reshaping job roles. Together they explore how AI is empowering CMOs to become more data literate and strategic, allowing them to focus on deeper human elements of marketing.

How do great marketers grow great teams and themselves professionally? Join Kelly Hopping and Dave Gerhardt, founder of Exit Five, as they explore how great leaders manage their teams with poise, build strong teams that drive results, and prioritize personal development to fuel career success. Inspired by Jim Rohn’s advice to “work harder on yourself than you do on your job,” Dave reflects on how his experiences at Drift and Privy became invaluable opportunities for learning and growth. If you’re ready to grow as a marketer, leader and individual, this episode is packed with actionable insights.