Vanessa Cartwright - Founder & CEO

With over 25 years of executive leadership positions in digital services and software businesses in the US, Canada and UK, I have walked in your shoes, tackling the challenges of operating and growing a business day-to-day, while concurrently preparing for its evolution, managing complex transactions, integrations, new investors and owners. My track record:

-Created world’s largest independently owned digital commerce agency
- Prepared a Services and SaaS business for successful exit
- Led integration of independent marketing and digital tech agencies into global WPP network
- Conducted due diligence and integrated multiple acquisitions into larger entities

I am an Advisor, CEO coach and Board member to digital businesses.

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Professional Background

  • President, North America and UK

    Leader of NA & UK markets, with revenues of $100M, expanding services beyond Commerce, development of new technology partnerships and growth of industries served

    Chief Executive Officer & Global Head of Salesforce Practice, North America, January 2022-September 2023

    Commercial accountability and management of NA P&L, $70M revenue, with YoY growth since 2018

    Responsible for build-out of Salesforce practice

    Chief Operating Officer, August 2021-December 2021

    Accomplished 40% revenue and EBITDA growth from 2020 to 2021

    Led integration of acquired company MarketForce, including client portfolio due diligence, team compensation review, on-boarding and consolidation of both teams and clients into Astound Commerce and development of cross-selling and up-selling strategy

    Chief Client Success Officer, March 2018-July 2021

    Led the integration of Fluid Inc, into Astound Commerce's North American operating company, forming the world's largest (1,300+ FTEs) independent digital commerce agency including: - new corporate brand vision and identity - re-structuring and building teams - establishment and leadership of task forces to align systems, tools and process

    Accountable for North American P&L (approx. $50MM), leading Go To Market Strategy, Marketing, Partnerships, Direct Sales, Client Services and PMO

  • Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, M&A, November 2016-March 2018

    Led successful M&A process, resulting in acquisition by Astound Commerce

    Re-structured Fluid's Saas business, Fluid Configure, resulting in first profitable financial period since product launch in 2010

    Chief Client Development Officer, June 2014-November 2016

    Responsible for revenue and GM from new sales and existing clients, for both agency and SaaS

    Managing Director, October 2012-June 2014

    Increased YOY revenues from 2012-2013 by 35% with EBIDTA turnaround to achieve financial targets

    Developed business development pipeline and increased new business win rate to 65% from 45%

    Delivered quarterly reporting and presentations to Board of Directors and Goldman Sachs investors.

  • SVP Senior Client Partner & GM NY, October 2008-June 2012 (New York)

    P&L responsibility, increasing NY revenue by 400% and growing agency from 8 to 60 FTE

    Member of WPP Digital Advisory Council.

    VP Client Partner, October 2007-October 2008 (Vancouver)

  • Managing Director – Canada, 2006-September 2007

    Led the consolidation of Vancouver and Toronto businesses into RMG Connect, Canada

    Transitioned agency from direct marketing to 70% digital revenues

    Exceeded annual financial targets for both revenue and profit by 125%.

    Managing Director, August 2004-April 2006

    Exceeded revenue and profit targets for Vancouver office for 3 consecutive years.

    Senior Account Director, September 1999-August 2004

    Post JWT acquisition, led and won the first integrated pitch across 4 operating companies within JWT.

  • Stealth-Mode AI Start-Up
    2024-present

  • Enterprise software solution
    2019-2022

  • Founder of The Helm, a platform that provides a peer community and 1:1 coaching first-time female digital business CEOs
    2025-present