Women in Tech: Jennifer Vessels - CEO & Founder of Next Step | Silicon Valley Innovator | AI Speaker

ennifer Vessels is a dynamic business leader, consultant, facilitator, and speaker renowned for driving results and spearheading business transformation across startups, mid-cap, and multinational enterprises. In her role as CEO of Next Step, a distinguished Silicon Valley-based consulting company, Jennifer has played a pivotal role in transforming industry giants such as Adobe, Autodesk, Cisco, and ShoreTel.
Recognizing the global imperative for business future-readiness, Jennifer is the visionary founder of the Executive Growth Alliance (EGA), a global community uniting leaders from Global 100 companies, mid-size enterprises, and scale-ups. Leveraging EGA's proven peer learning methodology, members collaborate virtually across companies, geographies, and industries to tackle challenges and co-create new opportunities.
Jennifer brings a global mindset and unwavering commitment to achieving successful outcomes for clients at Next Step, EGA members, and diverse speaking audiences. Throughout her illustrious career in Technology Sales, Go-to-Market Leadership, International Expansion, and the growth of Next Step and EGA, Jennifer has consistently delivered measurable results:
Led the global expansion of Tandberg, securing over $450 million in partner revenue within 5 years, culminating in a successful acquisition by Cisco at 35% above valuation.
Increased market valuation by over 300% within 5 years for industry leaders like Adobe, ShoreTel, and others through digital business transformation. Jennifer, along with the Next Step team, orchestrated the change management process across sales, channels, operations, product management, and marketing.
Pioneered a proven peer learning methodology and platform, facilitating future-ready growth for global leaders, including Cisco, IKEA, Norwegian Air, Novartis, Schneider Electric, and Wilhelmsen, through EGA Circles.
Jennifer is widely acknowledged as a high-impact speaker and workshop facilitator, contributing her expertise to esteemed platforms such as Gartner Group, Rotary, YPO, London Board Directors, UC Berkeley Haas School, and various global industry, corporate, and partner conferences. Additionally, Jennifer serves as a Facilitator in strategy and leadership for Cornell University and is a regular contributor to CEO Network, Harvard Business Review, and other industry blogs, newsletters, and podcasts.
Jennifer earned her MBA from San Jose State University, holds a Master's in Occupational Psychology from the University of London, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisville.
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Queens of Tech is a podcast series about raising the voice of workplace champions - 60+ questions in around 30-40 minutes with women, women of color, non-binary, and transgender influencers about their journey into STEM.
I, Jasmine Moradi, started the “Queens of Tech Podcast” initiative in May 2022 because I would like to retain more champions in the tech industry. Talent is out there, but our work environment needs to improve for women, non-binary, and transgenders to feel safer, stay authentic, get equity opportunities, and be valued for our contributions.
My goal is to raise the voices of tech champions around the world and together with companies, investors, and politicians raise the challenges and opportunities around Equity, Inclusive Diversity, and Belonging in our workplaces. Enough is enough!
Each podcast talk is built around 60+ questions regarding upbringing & education, career path, DEIB, and future advice. The purpose is to get to the heart of my guest’s life and career journey to inspire other girls and women, non-binary and transgender to unleash their full potential in tech to reach top leadership roles.
Your voice matters! Join the Queens of Tech movement!
A podcast by Jasmine Moradi
www.queensof.tech
Listen Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcast, & Acast
Music credit
1. Intro - [Chill-ambient by Coma Media]
2. Advise & Outro - [Chill-ambient by Coma Media]
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