Sean Ellis

Interim VP of Growth

I specialize in taking exciting new startups to market and helping them realize the full potential of their product-market fit. I work hands-on with founding teams to design go-to-market strategies and growth systems that turn early traction into scalable, durable growth.

Earlier in my career, I led go-to-market execution for companies like Dropbox, Eventbrite, Lookout, and LogMeIn. Dropbox reached $1B in ARR faster than any prior SaaS company, powered by a product-led growth engine I helped shape. More recently, I’ve led growth efforts at high-velocity startups such as Bounce.

I’m the coauthor of Hacking Growth, read by 800,000+ founders, operators, and investors worldwide, and translated into 16 languages. The book introduced a practical, systems-driven approach to scaling that many modern startups still use as a foundation.

Today, I work with founders and leadership teams through keynotes, workshops, and hands-on engagements focused on go-to-market execution, experimentation, and growth leadership. I also teach through GoPractice.io and cohost the Breakout Growth podcast.

I’ve taught growth and entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School, UC Berkeley Haas, INSEAD, Oxford, CKGSB, and other leading universities.

Author

Best-selling manifesto, "Hacking Growth," is a global phenomenon translated into 16 languages and embraced by over 750,000 readers worldwide. In this comprehensive guide, Sean and and his coauthor Morgan Brown unveil the process behind scaling startups to unimaginable heights, offering a blueprint for success that resonates across continents. Sean and Morgan have unique insights into growth success because of their combined experiences growing products such as Dropbox, Facebook, Shopify, LogMeIn, Instagram, Eventbrite and studying the growth engines and processes behind other breakout success companies. 

Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Growth-Fastest-Growing-Companies-Breakout/dp/045149721X

For a long time, intent meant one thing: search.

That’s no longer true.

Intent now shows up through behavior, product usage, and increasingly inside AI systems — often before anyone ever searches.

I put together a short deck on how intent has expanded, where it lives now, and what this changes for modern growth teams.

Curious how others are thinking about this:

Is intent becoming more powerful as it moves beyond search, or harder to leverage?

Blog at SeanEllis.Substack.com. Book me at SeanEllis.me. Author Hacking Growth - 750K+ books sold.

Intent has outgrown search

Funny that I have to keep reminding ChatGPT to speak in hypotheses.
 
Opinions ≠ facts. Even when they come from AI 🙂

Omada Health

Leading regional Health Plan sales for the central region of the US, implementing sales strategies and partnering with payers to create an integrated virtual health experience

Regional Vice President, Health Plans

Omada Health is an innovative digital health company that combines the latest clinical protocols with behavioral science to make it possible for people with chronic conditions to achieve long-term health improvements.

Director, Strategy and Planning

Audirie

Audirie is an AI-based service which helps people improve their communications skills. After years of research and development, Audirie seeks to help the world communicate better through real-time, objective feedback.

Co-Founder

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon

Leading big "I" Innovation initiatives for the Commercial Product Solutions team. 

Worked with digital healthcare startups to analyze and assess the suitability of their product offerings. This included meeting with vendors, coordinating demos, spearheading Requests for Proposals, and negotiating Master Service Agreements

Defined roadmap strategies to integrate these third-party products into health plan offerings for Self-Funded and Fully Insured groups

Created a new intake process to better define the product pipeline; this included putting together a cross-functional team of senior decision makers across the organization, defining stage-gates, and putting together a robust end-to-end launch process 

Launched several new products by working across the organization with multiple business units (Legal, Sales, Clinical, I.T., Strategic Sourcing, etc.) including:
o A cutting-edge diabetes management solution, partnering with a start-up vendor out of Chicago. This is unique partnership in the industry, with an unprecedented level of integration with the health plan
o Multiple solutions with a growing and vibrant Diabetes Prevention vendor out of San Francisco
o Several behavioral health initiatives, focusing on population health solutions

Was a cheerleader and advocate for my portfolio, including road showing new products and processes and presenting to C-suite executives

Strategic Partnerships and Innovation

CVS Health

As Business Advisor for Retail Pharmacy Product Development, I worked as part of a team focused on the development of new programs and processes that can be integrated into, or expand upon, the current CVS retail pharmacy business model. 

My work centered around using various analytical methodologies to analyze pilot results, compile recommendations, and launch new Patient Care programs across the 10,000 strong network of CVS pharmacies.

Retail Strategic Product Development

Stratus Dental Group

Creating project plans to monitor existing dental processes, analyzing their effectiveness, and creating  strategies to improve productivity and efficiency 

Providing consulting, coordination and delivery of services related to professional development, human resources, IT and portal management 

Establishing multiple-level contacts within client’s businesses by presenting to, consulting with, and cultivating relationships at all levels 

Communicating, tracking, measuring and coaching dental practice owners to help them achieve their operational and financial goals

Management Consultant (Business Operations)

Sabat Engineering Group 

Overseeing all creative pitch and concept development in a $75M shopping center project; presenting to Arabic and English speaking clients using attention-grabbing and visionary sales demonstrations

Identifying the specific needs of prospective clients and creating tailored leasing solutions to suit the client’s budget whilst maximizing financial results for the company

Effectively steering contract negotiations and driving multi-million dollar projects towards on-time, on budget delivery

Possessing the financial acumen and commercial flair needed to understand and identify potential opportunities and prospect new clients within the diverse and vibrant MENA region

Management Consultant (Retail Strategy)

Nexus Pharmacy

Reporting to the CEO, led a team of 12 direct reports with operational responsibility for $25M of gross sales and over 100 employees

Partnering with refit architects and franchise brand managers, successfully project managed the $1.5M renovation and re-branding of three large retail outlets, bringing in all projects on-time and under budget.

Designing and preparing data extracts, financial analysis, growth forecasts, and KPI reports and presenting these findings directly to the Board of Directors

Evaluating market reactions to advertising programs, merchandising strategies, and marketing initiatives to ensure the timely adjustment of operational strategies to meet the ever-changing competitive climate 

Slashing payroll and administration costs by over 30% through negotiation of wages, pricing and fees, while ensuring the continuation and enhancements of services

Co-founder, General Manager and Board Member

Star Pharmacy Group

Senior Business Manager (Sept 2009 - May 2012)

Controlling $10M in retail pharmacy gross annual sales; includes adhering to set budgets, developing accurate sales forecasts and accountability for achieving KPI targets

Responsibility for the engagement, development and leadership of 40 store employees. Developing and executing store business plans, resulting in 15% sales growth and 18% NPAT growth over a two year period

Cost effectively allocating departmental operating budgets; includes using NPV analysis to determine which retail projects and in-store marketing strategies would be green-lit 

Business Operations Manager (Sept 2007 - Sept 2009)

Leading a team of 20 employees in developing sales growth strategies for a $7.5M store through the use of data, analytics, industry findings, and cross-functional partnership 

Mentoring business managers and building learning agendas; includes analyzing results, and integrating findings into the organization for on-going training and development execution refinement

Senior Business Manager

Amcal Pharmacies

Developing and monitoring key performance metrics to measure the business and improve operating processes 

Acting as a change agent for the company and ensuring that process improvement was being communicated, understood and supported by the pharmacy team

Investigating and identifying root causes of process performance drivers; correcting and/or developing new processes in order to achieve improved performance

Consistently met key sales, profitability, and financial targets

Pharmacy Owner

Active Care Pharmacies

Introduced and implemented key efficiency drivers, resulting in complaints for late deliveries dropping by 80% in the first 12 months of my tenure

Growing the business to service over 600 “beds” in the first six months of operation

Strict managing of staff and expenses, resulting in a 15% increase in sales while variable costs declined over the same period

Pharmacist-in-Charge of Aged Care Operations

Experienced healthcare executive and entrepreneur with a proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Accomplished in leading teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leveraging data-driven insights to achieve revenue goals. Adept at evaluating and integrating cutting-edge healthcare solutions.

As an extracurricular activity, I host the pharmacy business podcast Rx to Riches, where I engage in discussions with fascinating guests on the impact of technology on new approaches to pharmacy care.

taplio

The Battle

Sean Ellis

Michael Alexander

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSean Ellis's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Sean Ellis

Michael Alexander

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Sean Ellis's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSean Ellis's LinkedIn Performance