Emma Chalwin, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Workday, champions blending authenticity with strategic vision. She emphasizes the power of "soul work"—a deeply personal approach to leadership that prioritizes both employee well-being and brand advocacy. Chalwin believes in fostering trust through ethical innovation and nurturing her marketing team to become leaders, helping elevate underrepresented talent in the process. Her philosophy, inspired by personal experiences and leadership lessons, is to create an environment where employees feel empowered to grow, advocate for themselves, and remain true to their values.
Chalwin’s journey to the top of the tech industry began with a leap from fashion styling to technology marketing. With an early marketing role at Softcat, she cultivated strong partnerships with UK-based tech vendors, gaining expertise that later propelled her into positions at global firms like McAfee, Adobe, and Salesforce. Joining Workday in 2023, Chalwin brought with her an extensive background in field marketing, brand strategy, and demand generation from her executive role at Salesforce. Moving to the United States in 2017 for her career, Chalwin seamlessly adapted to new markets while balancing her responsibilities as both an executive and a mother, demonstrating the resilience required to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Despite the challenges Chalwin faced—particularly as a female leader in tech—she remains a steadfast advocate for authenticity in leadership. Reflecting on early experiences of feeling isolated and struggling to be heard, she now focuses on empowering younger generations to approach their careers with self-confidence and clarity. Chalwin’s advice to aspiring leaders is to embrace change, establish strong support systems, and stay aligned with core personal values. Her approach, grounded in empathy and vision, not only serves as a roadmap for career success but also highlights the potential for transformative change within the industry.