#11: Robin Matlock, VMware

Robin Matlock was the former CMO of VMware, an independent Board Director of startups including People.ai and Cohesity.

Robin is a seasoned Silicon Valley GTM executive with over 30 years of marketing, sales and business development experience in the enterprise software and services market. Currently an Independent Director with Iron Mountain (NYSM: IRM), serving on Technology, Compensation and Risk/Safety Committees. Advisor to People.ai, a fast growing AI and Revenue Acceleration company, and Calamu, an early-stage disruptor in the data security market.

She talks about her own career growth and about the importance of not putting limits on yourself and how a fateful lunch totally changed her career trajectory. She talks about how you need to promote yourself in your own mind to lead at a different altitude as you become more senior, and then again when you serve as a board director. Robin also shares a recipe for how to bring culture to life, why you need to get better at failing, and how playing the harp prepared her for her very successful business career.

[01:58] Silicon Valley’s Ethos

[03:54] Robin’s role model

[08:38] A CEO’s Influence

[15:41] How Robin’s career began

[36:36] The Importance of Culture

[46:16] Struggles

[52:48] Advice

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