I've experienced firsthand what happens when startups transform from attentive, customer-obsessed teams into siloed organizations where departments stop talking and leadership loses touch with the people who matter most. I've witnessed what this shift costs; valued customers who lose interest, exhausted executives who burn out, and a competitive advantage that quietly erodes.
Here's what I've learned from 20+ years of growing Silicon Valley companies:
As a serial executive leader at startups like Chorus, Givelify, Jobvite, WalkMe, BrightEdge, and Copper, I have scaled Silicon Valley customer success operations from the ground up. I built and sold two consultancies in five years, proving that sustainable, customer-centric growth isn't just possible, it's more profitable.
Now I teach founders and executives how to scale without losing themselves or their customers, build systems that get stronger under pressure, not more fragile, and lead with clarity instead of chaos.
As the author of Pressing ON as a Tech Mom , I share a story of resilience and leadership while championing women in technology. Beyond writing, I’ve delivered 30+ professional development programs and university lectures worldwide. I currently teach Customer Lifecycle Management in Booth’s CRO Executive Program and design private programs for organizations.
I’ve been honored by the CX Hall of Fame, listed by Thinkers360 as a top global thought leader, and received the IAOTP Top Growth Advisor Award (2024).
As a kid, Emilia D'Anzica witnessed customer devotion that brought diners and their friends back to her parents’ pizzeria week after week. Long before frameworks and KPIs, she understood that repeatable business grows when customers feel seen, valued, and remembered.
That foundation shaped the next 20 years of her career in Silicon Valley, rising to CCO and GTM leader at companies like Jobvite, WalkMe, BrightEdge, Chorus, Givelify, and Copper, where she built customer success operations from the ground up, scaled teams, and delivered consistent results.
And then, following many consecutive quarters of growth with every KPI exceeded, Emilia was unexpectedly fired in favor of 'fresh blood'. At 42, Emilia was out.
Rather than letting it knock her down, and during a global pandemic, she launched Growth Molecules. Within twelve months, she'd closed over a million dollars in opportunities. Five years later, she had built and sold a successful customer success consultancy and an academy.
In that time Emilia proved sustainable growth isn't about choosing between customers and scale, or between career ambition and personal wellbeing. It's about clarity, systems, and staying connected to what matters.
Now Emilia teaches leaders the skills required to grow hugely successful companies and careers without losing themselves in the process.
If she's not working or traveling the world, Emilia is spending time with her partner, three children, and her dog exploring Sonoma County, where she lives.
Pressing ON as a Tech Mom: How Tech Industry Mothers Set Goals, Define Boundaries & Raise the Bar for Success is Emilia’s first book.

"Strategic"
Emilia fosters a mindset of strategic growth, operational discipline, and real-world application.
- Todd Palmquist, Sales and Operations Strategist

"Dynamic"
Emilia is a dynamic presenter and leader that I always look forward to learning from.
- Maura Goicochea, MBA, CCXP, Strategic Customer Success Manager

"Passionate"
Emilia is one of the most empathetic, knowledgeable and passionate leaders I know.
- Yuliya Wilson, Founder

"Experienced"
Emilia's insights and experience help leaders throughout an organization to implement repeatable processes that help teams perform at their peak.
- Jon Kaplan, Customer Success Executive

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