Lessons from a Proven CEO: Patrick Dennis on Scaling Companies, Successful Exits, and Navigating AI Trends
With over 30 years of leadership experience, Patrick Dennis, CEO of Avaya, will share invaluable insights for tech founders navigating the complexities of leadership transitions and business scaling. Drawing on his extensive track record, including his transformative role at Venafi, where he led the company through a $1.5B acquisition by CyberArk, as well as his tenure at ExtraHop and Aspect Communications (now Alvaria), Patrick will explore a critical question for many founders: when is it time to replace yourself as CEO?
Patrick will explore how to recognize success-based problems as signals of growth and discuss how to address personal gaps without viewing them as failures. He’ll provide practical strategies for balancing the founder’s creative vision with the operational expertise needed for scaling, and emphasize the mindset shift required to pivot from day-to-day management to high-level strategic leadership.
In addition, Patrick will share insights on the current dynamics of the startup ecosystem. He’ll focus on the increasing need for cash preservation in today’s market, particularly as capital becomes more expensive, and explore the necessary strategic adjustments for companies with fewer than 100 employees. He will also discuss how AI advancements—especially in voice interfaces and communications—are opening new doors in previously untapped markets, presenting opportunities that could significantly expand the software economy.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a seasoned CEO and gain actionable insights that can elevate both your leadership and your business. Join us and discover strategies to take your company to the next level!
Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner, Head of Member Success at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT
Patrick Dennis is the CEO of Avaya, a global leader in enterprise communications. With over three decades of experience in enterprise software, SaaS, cybersecurity, and communications, Patrick has held transformative leadership roles, including CEO of Venafi, where he drove the company’s sale to CyberArk for $1.5B. Previously, he served as CEO at ExtraHop, Aspect Communications (now Alvaria), and Guidance Software. Patrick has also held senior roles at EMC and Oracle. His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth at every company he’s led. He holds a B.S. in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is an active contributor to the Forbes Technology Council.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT
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