Embracing the Future: My Journey as VP of Marketing at Zilla Security

by | Nov 14, 2023

Navigating the Changing Landscape of Security

In an era where security challenges for businesses are escalating, the need for innovative solutions has never been more critical. The landscape has evolved, much like the blurred lines between parenting and teaching in education. In the business realm, the traditional boundaries between individuals and companies are fading quickly.

No longer is security just about building a fortified perimeter around a physical location or a network. The advent and widespread adoption of cloud technology, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has given rise to a new, dynamic perimeter that can be accessed from anywhere at any time and not just by humans. This evolving paradigm presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for companies seeking solutions to address these issues before they find themselves in the headlines.

Seizing the Early Market Advantage

As Zilla’s head of marketing, I am excited to be part of this early market which has immense potential. The challenge is real and the competition is fierce, and it’s backed by significant venture capital. It’s not just a problem to solve; it’s a problem that demands innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. This early market stage allows us to be pioneers in shaping the future of identity security solutions.

A Personal Journey of Building High-Performance Teams

For me, this role is more than just a professional move; it’s a personal opportunity to build another high-performance marketing team. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with several companies that have been successful at disrupting the market. But breaking away from the norm requires decisive leadership, a willingness to chart new paths, and a focus on the bigger picture.

Success in this realm is about creating awareness and identifying those individuals who are ready to embrace new ways of doing things – the early adopters who recognize the potential reward far outweighs the perceived risks. I am eager to bring my experience and passion for revenue-based marketing to Zilla, fostering a culture of innovation and introducing forward-thinking approaches that take into account the full journey of a customer while they are still a prospect. 

The Strength of Zilla’s Team and Culture

What drew me to Zilla is not only the immense market opportunity but also the depth of knowledge and understanding the team has of this market as well as the positive culture that permeates the organization. Our CEO, Deepak Taneja is a pioneer in the identity space, having successfully built two previous companies. He promotes a collaborative and professional workplace, creating an all-hands-on-deck environment, where everyone contributes to the collective success.

Creating a positive culture is paramount, and Zilla has embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. The collaborative spirit within the team is palpable, and it will propel us forward as we navigate the challenges and opportunities we encounter along this journey together.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to embark on a journey that promises to be both professionally challenging and personally rewarding, with this company and team. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working alongside these exceptional people to make Zilla a trailblazer in the evolving landscape of identity security and compliance.

Thank you, Zilla, for welcoming me into the family. I look forward to being a fellow Zillian, contributing to our shared success and writing the next chapter of innovation together.

Author

  • Cheryle Cushion

    Cheryle Cushion is vice president of marketing at Zilla Security. She has a deep background in helping disruptive companies transition from early-stage startups to grow and scale through $100M+ in annual revenue. Responsible for elevating Zilla’s brand, driving demand for its solutions worldwide, and ensuring a positive customer experience, Cheryle oversees corporate and product marketing, demand generation, customer marketing, and marketing operations.

    Cheryle brings over 30 years of experience developing corporate marketing strategies and executing integrated marketing programs that deliver strong customer acquisition via direct and indirect sales channels.

    Prior to joining Zilla, Cheryle was the Vice President of Marketing at Nasuni and has held various marketing leadership roles in several successful young technology companies, including Raptor Systems, Interliant, Seahorse BioScience, and, most notably, EqualLogic, which was purchased by Dell in 2008 for $1.4B where she spent 6 years continuing to grow their global storage business to $1B+.

    Cushion earned a BS in business administration (marketing concentration) from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

    Connect with Cheryle via LinkedIn.

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