The Next CMO

After 30 years in marketing, Melissa Puls, CMO and SVP, Customer Success & Renewals at Ivanti, has seen it all: the highs, the lows, and the evolution of marketing itself. In this episode, she shares how she’s built her career around people-first leadership, purpose-driven strategy, and performance that actually moves the business forward. Melissa breaks down why B2B and B2C are outdated concepts, why it’s time to think “business-to-human,” and how aligning marketing, customer success, and renewals can transform growth. She also opens up about lessons learned from failure, how AI is reshaping efficiency and personalization, and why transparency and data-driven decisions are a CMO’s real superpowers. Whether you’re a rising marketing leader or a seasoned exec, this episode delivers practical insights on building teams, earning trust, and driving measurable impact across the entire customer lifecycle.

What if marketing didn’t just support company strategy, but shaped it from the start? 8x8 CMO Bruno Bertini breaks down how today’s marketing leaders can elevate their role through goal-driven alignment, end-to-end customer experience, and real-world applications of AI. Bruno shares his approach to building marketing-led OKRs, driving measurable outcomes like LTV and retention, and using AI to streamline enrichment, targeting, and creative production. It’s a must-listen for CMOs who want to operate as true business leaders and make marketing central to growth.

How do you thrive in private equity while maintaining local autonomy and driving growth? Meghann McNally, CMO of Wrench Group, shares her unique approach to leading marketing in a fast-growing, private equity-backed company. From scaling brand strategies in 27 markets across 14 states to navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry, Meghann emphasizes the importance of hands-on leadership and data-driven decision-making. She also reveals how fostering curiosity, maintaining local connections, and balancing efficiency with personal touch have been key to Wrench Group’s success.

What does it take to merge companies, scale globally, and lead with clarity in times of change? Benoit Skinazi, CMO of Equativ, shares lessons from his journey founding a company, navigating two major mergers, and growing to a 750-person global team. Benoit unpacks how transparency, trust, and storytelling helped align teams across cultures and time zones, why CMOs must balance short-term impact with long-term brand building, and how empowering high-performing teams drives sustainable growth.

What does it take to lead marketing across multiple industries—and stay ahead of the curve? Alice Palmer, CMO of InvoiceCloud, shares how she’s built a successful career across creative tech, cybersecurity, and digital payments by embracing change, trusting her gut, and staying laser-focused on impact. She dives into leading marketing in PE-backed environments, executing a six-month rebrand under a legal deadline, and using AI for synthetic persona testing and funnel optimization. Along the way, Alice reflects on how parenting lessons—like prioritization and adaptability—have sharpened her leadership style and strategic instincts.