

Owning the Outcome
HubSpot
Owning the Outcome is a podcast about the bold bets, hard lessons, and breakthrough moments that define success in the HubSpot ecosystem. Hosted by Sarah McDevitt, HubSpot’s Sr. Director of Partner Strategy, each episode dives into real conversations with the leaders rewriting the rules in an AI-first world—and owning their share of a $30B opportunity along the way.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 21min
AI, Sports, and Global Impact: The Engaging.io Story
From breaking into North American professional sports to scaling complex organizations worldwide, Engaging.io has built a reputation for technical depth, honesty, and impact.
In this episode, CEO Michelle O'Keeffe dives into AI adoption, why clean data beats hype, the importance of verticalization, and how a strong collaborative leadership style fuels growth across the ecosystem.

Aug 13, 2025 • 30min
Stay Small, Grow Big: Building AI-First, High-Impact Teams
The next 30 minutes offer a practical playbook for founders and operators chasing enterprise-level impact without enterprise-level headcount.
You’ll learn:
• How to unify your data model so AI agents operate with precision
• Where to apply AI to collapse workflows, cut costs, and speed cycle times
• How to re-engineer delivery so humans and AI work in sync
• Change management tactics that get skeptical teams on board
• Why “AI without the bloat” is the next competitive advantage
Tune in to get energized by innovation—and don't forget to review the show and leave us a comment!

Aug 6, 2025 • 23min
Time to Value, Time to Win: Scaling Smarter with AI and Apps
There's never been a better time to be a builder, and in HubSpot's ecosystem, we're seeing more and more partners who deliver solutions and list apps in our marketplace. Why? Daryl Michel—CEO at Cogent Connective—says its all about freedom of choice and the best way to solve a customer's challenges.
This episode is an energizing look at how to scale as a partner today, including:
How building with AI can supercharge client outcomes
Unlocking new revenue streams with apps
A real-world example of how one ERP integration is now helping them close deals faster and at scale
The ripple effects on client growth, cost per acquisition, and profitability
Building apps to solve for gaps in the customer experience
Whether you're a builder, a CEO, or just looking to revisit the idea of building for HubSpot's marketplace, this conversation highlights the compounding impact of combining service excellence with scalable tech—and how AI is the great accelerator.

Jul 30, 2025 • 20min
Designing for a Generative Future: AI, Intelligent Interfaces, and Enterprise CX
Multimodal interfaces. Real-time personalization. Data privacy. Content ownership. Responsible AI.
In this episode, Eve Sangenito of global consultancy Perficient offers a grounded, enterprise lens on the evolving demands of AI-powered customer experience—and what leaders (and the partners who support them) need to understand right now.
Eve and Sarah explore how generative AI is reshaping customer expectations, guiding tech investments, and redefining experience delivery at scale.
For anyone driving digital transformation, building AI strategy, or modernizing enterprise CX, this conversation is a timely look at what’s shifting—and what’s ahead.

Jul 23, 2025 • 26min
Constraints Breed Innovation: AI's Quiet Rise in LATAM
Constraints breed innovation—and in LATAM, it’s become a competitive edge. In this episode of Owning the Outcome, we hear from Cecilia Hayafuji, who saw cracks in the system and built HAL into an elite HubSpot partner agency. From her early days navigating global tech giants to launching her own firm at 50, our guest has lived through every major shift in the industry—and is now leading the charge into AI-powered growth across Latin America.
Cecelia shares how constraints shaped strategy, why quality beats scale, and what makes LATAM one of the most fertile grounds for AI adoption today. If you're thinking about building in uncertain times, scaling with precision, or leading through change—this one's for you.

Jul 16, 2025 • 15min
Why the Future of Work is More Human Than You Think
Helen Russell, HubSpot’s Chief People Officer, believes the age of AI is making work more human, not less. In this episode, she shares how HubSpot is approaching our culture in the AI-first era, digs into relational intelligence and the human + AI workforce, unpacks how vision, empathy, and integrity are reshaping leadership—and why outcomes, not adoption, should guide how we measure success in the AI era.

Jul 2, 2025 • 22min
From Loss Leaders to 1M Contacts: One Partner’s Journey
Fabian Valado, General Manager at BFJ, has done it all—sold at a loss just to get experience, taught clients how to buy, and scaled his agency into working with customers in the 500k—1M contact range by staying relentlessly focused on outcomes.
In this episode of Owning the Outcome, Fabian talks candidly about what it takes to grow from small partner to enterprise-ready seller. He gets into how to win over IT blockers in healthcare, why 50% of the job is customer service and teaching, and what he considers the bar for excellence as a HubSpot partner.
If you’re a partner looking to scale, navigate complex sales, or just want a front-row seat to how technical operators win in the age of AI—this one’s for you.

Jun 25, 2025 • 22min
The Enterprise Shift: Building AI Value Without the Buzzwords
"You have to think of AI as not just tech. It's a strategic capability that all team should have and understand—especially CEOs." In this episode of Owning the Outcome, Jeff Pedowitz, founder and CEO of The Pedowitz Group, talks about what it takes to drive transformation for enterprise clients in the age of AI. With over a decade of experience helping large organizations modernize how they grow, Jeff shares how his team approaches AI, data quality, and strategy with clarity, pragmatism, and a consultant’s edge.
Jeff opens up about his leadership philosophy, the cultural values that drive his firm, and why he doubled down on HubSpot just as the platform made major strides into the enterprise space. He explains why many companies still hesitate to adopt AI—even as they acknowledge its importance—and outlines the essential first steps CEOs can take to bring AI into their business models.

Jun 18, 2025 • 27min
No Shortcuts: How BONANA Earned HubSpot’s Customer-First Award in Under 2 Years
Jasey Tielen, co-founder of BONANA, established a successful tech partnership that earned HubSpot's Customer-First Award in just under two years. In the discussion, Jasey highlights the importance of being a trusted advisor and how to build that trust without relying on flashy hacks. He elaborates on why service firms are ideally positioned to lead the transition to AI, emphasizing a strategy that balances short-term needs with long-term vision. This conversation offers valuable insights for navigating the complexities of modern business growth in the digital age.

5 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 24min
Winning in the AI Era: Yamini Rangan on the Power of Partners + AI
Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot, shares her insights on leading transformative tech changes. She discusses the synergy between AI and human expertise, emphasizing how their collaboration can drive innovation. Rangan highlights AI as a force multiplier for teams, particularly in content marketing, making it easier for smaller groups to excel. The importance of relational intelligence in customer engagement is underscored, showing how emotional awareness enhances interactions. The conversation also touches on the competitive edge of companies embracing AI innovation.