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Meet our Netlifolks: Steph Clay

Meet our Netlifolks: Steph Clay

What was your path to Netlify, and what inspired you to join our team?

I began my career at IT Convergence, initially starting as an Inside Sales Representative, and grew into various leadership roles. By the time I was 26, I was leading a team, traveling to hire and train new talent, and closing major deals. It was a foundational time for me, even though those early years often go unmentioned when people look at my career. Most think of my career as starting at Google, but those first four years were where I truly learned how to hustle, manage pipelines, and close deals. There’s something uniquely gratifying about finding quick wins, booking deals on the spot, and getting immediate results. It taught me how to build and grow while staying agile and resourceful.

After that, I joined Google, where I spent the next 8 years and was one of the early pioneers of the enterprise sales team, selling what is now known as Google’s Cloud offerings. In that role we were always selling against Microsoft—an enormous challenge given their 99.9% market share at the time. Back then, convincing companies to put their data in the cloud felt almost impossible. Despite those challenges, we forged ahead, helping to lead the consumerization of IT and getting organizations comfortable with cloud-based solutions. I even moved to Australia to help kickstart Google’s APAC enterprise business, a move that shaped my life personally and professionally. I met my husband and some of my closest friends there, and even though we eventually returned to the Bay Area, a piece of my heart is still in Sydney.

After leaving Google, I jumped into PredictSpring, a modern Enterprise point-of-sale platform, as their first business hire. I joined during its seed stage and led the sales and customer success teams, built out our go-to-market strategy, and managed strategic partnerships including the one we fostered with Salesforce, who ultimately acquired PredictSpring a few months ago (!). Most recently I ran the Strategic Enterprise Sales team at Narvar, where I had the chance to work closely with RTL, then CRO.

So it will be no surprise that what initially drew me to Netlify was RTL, Netlify’s CCO. Through my time partnering with him at Narvar, I fundamentally respect his leadership and the constructive dynamic we had. While Netlify’s technology and associated value propositions were new to me, after learning more about the company’s mission and reflecting on my career goals, I took a leap of faith in joining the team.

A few key things ultimately sealed the deal for me: I trust RTL’s judgment when it comes to identifying companies with strong potential for success, and I was incredibly impressed with the company’s outlook. I also liked the vision for the business turnaround and the confidence Netlify’s investors demonstrated—the fact that key VCs believed in this opportunity made it clear this was the right time to jump in. The scope of the role was also incredibly compelling—I wanted to work on enterprise-level deals and take on challenges that matched my ambitions, and I was also drawn to the challenge, knowing this role would be a significant learning curve with the tech we’re selling. I didn’t want to look back and think, “Why did I stay in my comfort zone?” This role offered the chance to flex new muscles and bring value in a completely fresh way.

And then, of course, there were the people. Everyone I met was incredible! There’s such a lack of ego here, and I felt it right away. After meeting with the team, I was blown away by how humble, warm, and down-to-earth everyone is - everyone was so kind and welcoming, a sentiment that continues to hold true.

Could you tell us more about your role and the team you’re leading?

I’ve joined as the VP of Enterprise Sales. This role at Netlify is exciting because I get to bring my experience building businesses and running strategic deals while collaborating with RTL, a leader I deeply respect. Our rapport makes it easier to work hard every day because it’s genuinely fun. We brainstorm constantly about what makes the most sense for the business and what enterprise sales at Netlify should look like. It’s a fluid process, and RTL is open to all my ideas, which makes the work even more energizing.

I’ve approached this role with a fresh perspective as a newcomer, staying observant and taking in feedback from AEs, listening to the market, and analyzing patterns. My goal is to elevate the enterprise sales motion to make it a highly profitable line of business while balancing Netlify’s developer-focused roots with the need to expand strategically.

The overall culture at Netlify is incredibly kind, and that kindness extends to the sales team. On my team, every effort here has a real impact on the business, and I want the team to feel ownership over their accounts and be the “CEO” of their own book of business. This approach fosters both autonomy and empowerment, helping everyone see how their work directly shapes Netlify’s future.

What are you most excited to tackle this year?

What I’m most excited about is closing big deals! These can take many forms, whether it’s upselling existing accounts, pursuing new verticals, or identifying patterns from other industries. We have excellent data points showing the potential for large deals, and I’m focused on building a repeatable, scalable strategy to capitalize on that momentum. There’s so much opportunity and now, it’s about identifying a repeatable process that ensures consistent success.

I’m also excited about building out the team. We already have many of the right people in place, but once we’ve filled every role with the right talent, I truly believe we’ll be unstoppable. Just this morning, I had an inspiring call with a large enterprise client. They already view Netlify as a cornerstone of their technology stack, and their enthusiasm is contagious. Moments like these reinforce the potential of what we’re building! It’s what makes me excited for the big deals ahead, the opportunity to build a world-class team, and, most importantly, the chance to translate all of this into meaningful revenue growth next year.

What sets your team apart?

What stands out most to me is their tenacity, intellect, and humility. Everyone on the team, and beyond, has both high IQ and high EQ, which creates a dynamic, collaborative environment. There’s no entitlement or ego here, which is a big deal for me. I have an allergic reaction to entitlement and gossip, but thankfully, that’s not the culture at Netlify. Instead, the team operates with transparency and a shared vision for the greater good.

I’ve been especially impressed by their willingness to prioritize the company’s success over personal gain. For example, one team member recently worked on a deal knowing it would lower their commission, but they saw the bigger picture and understood it was the best move for the business. That kind of spirit, combined with hustle and tenacity, is exactly what makes this team so exciting to work with—especially in the enterprise space.

What do you look for in new team members?

I’m looking for highly seasoned enterprise sellers who are also scrappy and willing to hustle. I need people who aren’t afraid to get into the weeds and do the pipeline work—those who understand that while cross-functional support from marketing and other teams is important, they are ultimately responsible for knowing their business and what resonates with their customers. I want individuals who can translate value propositions effectively, target the right personas, and bring high energy to the team combined with gravitas in their sales pursuits.

What are your passions outside of work?

I’m an avid runner—though sometimes to a fault. I often end up injured because I overdo it, but running has been a passion of mine since college. I’ve always been athletic, playing basketball, tennis, and track, but running became my outlet and has stuck with me ever since. While I don’t run full marathons, I’ve done several half marathons and love the sense of accomplishment it brings.

Outside of running, my biggest passion is my family. I have two amazing kids—Sophia, who’s seven, and Henry, who’s five and a half. Watching them grow and learn is like experiencing life through fresh eyes. It’s like Christmas every day, seeing their excitement about the world. Recently, I took my daughter to a Taylor Swift concert in Vancouver, and it was such a special moment for us. Beyond that, I love real estate and growing our portfolio, and I am passionate about traveling, embracing new cultures, reading, and my close friends.

Why should anyone consider joining your team?

Joining this team is a challenge, but it’s an incredibly rewarding one. If you’re someone who thrives on problem-solving and wants the freedom to create your own destiny, this is the place to be. We’re building the program now—there’s no rigid framework or playbook holding us back, and feedback is welcomed as we shape the future together. The territory is virtually unlimited. Unlike roles in traditional industries, where you’re often constrained to specific verticals, at Netlify, any company with a website is a potential target.

The opportunity here is immense, and the timing is perfect. Our investors have shown tremendous confidence in us, we’re differentiated in the market, and our solutions are poised for long-term growth. That said, success here requires grit and hustle. It’s not for someone looking for a guaranteed, easy ride. But for those ready to embrace the challenge, the impact you can make—both on the business and in your career—is unparalleled.

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