Former LinkedIn CMO Shannon Brayton joins Bessemer as first-ever CMO

We’re thrilled to announce that Shannon Brayton is joining Bessemer as our first-ever Chief Marketing Officer. On the heels of raising $3.3 billion across two new funds and expanding our leadership to 21 partners around the world, we’re incredibly fortunate to bring on a world-class marketing leader with deep roots in Silicon Valley. Shannon will help our firm scale our global footprint and support our entrepreneurs who aim to forge revolutions of their own.

With more than 25 years of leadership roles in technology companies, Shannon has amassed a wealth of experience in scaling SaaS and Internet-backed businesses that’s rare among marketing leaders. She’s led global teams for household names like OpenTable and eBay. Most recently, she spent nearly a decade at Bessemer portfolio company, LinkedIn, where she served as CMO and led the company through its blockbuster IPO and eventual $26 billion sale to Microsoft. Today, she works closely with the firm on the Board of Vidyard and is also a board member at Quizlet and Relativity, as well as an angel investor in 30+ companies.

As CMO, Shannon will lead Bessemer’s marketing and communications organization and work closely with our portfolio companies on their marketing strategies and brand communications.

“To join a team with the ambition to invest in bold founders makes this an exciting new adventure for me,” shares Shannon. “I’m thrilled to do something really new and different and play a part in supporting the brilliant entrepreneurs who are writing the next chapter of game-changing companies.” Shannon will join the team on May 4.

“It’s been fun getting to know Shannon - even during a pandemic - over a series of Zooms, outdoor lunches, and walks. We are impressed by her experience building teams around the globe, including her sharp point of view on how Silicon Valley is a mindset,” shares Partner Ethan Kurzweil. “Shannon is in a league of her own and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make with our team at Bessemer and with our entrepreneurs.”