Professional Summary

Professional Overview

Kelly Waldher is a seasoned marketing executive with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Zendesk, she is responsible for leading the company's global marketing strategy and overseeing all marketing functions, including brand development, demand generation, product marketing, and customer engagement. Waldher is also an advisor at Madrona, where she provides strategic guidance to the firm's portfolio companies.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Chief Marketing Officer at Zendesk, Waldher is responsible for developing and executing the company's marketing strategy to support its global expansion and drive customer acquisition and retention. She leads a team of marketing professionals and collaborates closely with the executive leadership to align marketing initiatives with the overall business objectives. Under her leadership, Zendesk has significantly increased its brand visibility, generated record-breaking demand for its products, and enhanced the customer experience.

Career Progression

Prior to joining Zendesk, Waldher held various senior marketing roles at leading technology companies. As the Vice President at Google, she was responsible for overseeing the company's marketing strategy for key products and services. At Qualtrics, she served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager, where she spearheaded the company's global marketing and go-to-market efforts, contributing to its rapid growth and successful acquisition by SAP. Waldher's earlier career includes management positions at Microsoft, where she led the product marketing for the Microsoft 365 suite and held senior roles in the company's product marketing organization.

Academic Background

Waldher holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Washington, where she graduated with honors.

Areas of Expertise

Waldher's areas of expertise include marketing strategy, brand management, digital marketing, demand generation, product marketing, and customer experience. She is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the technology industry and the ability to translate business objectives into impactful marketing initiatives.

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Waldher has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the marketing profession. She has been instrumental in driving significant revenue growth and market share expansion for the organizations she has served. Waldher is also an active contributor to industry publications and conferences, sharing her insights and best practices with fellow marketing professionals.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and innovative approach to marketing, Kelly Waldher is poised to continue driving Zendesk's success and making a lasting impact on the technology industry. Her expertise and strategic vision make her a valuable asset to both Zendesk and Madrona.