The CMO Pathway: Inside the leap to the top marketing role | New York

The path to the CMO seat is changing. What was once a functional leadership role is now one of the most complex positions in the C-suite, demanding commercial fluency, organisational leadership, and the ability to influence far beyond marketing.

For many senior marketing leaders, the step into the CMO seat is the most anticipated, and least understood, transition in their careers. The move into the top role isn’t simply about scale; it’s about stepping into a fundamentally different mandate.

In this candid conversation, we will explore the reality of that transition: the mindset shifts, the expanded pressures, and the capabilities that separate strong marketing operators from true C-suite leaders. The session will unpack the realities of the leap and what it truly takes to succeed as the modern CMO, we will hear from: 

• Sharon Peters, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Spectrum 
• Bene Eaton, Chief Marketing Officer, FIGS
• Wendy Kula, Chief Marketing Officer, Saucony and The Marketing Society New York Board Member (Moderator)

Together, they will share practical advice for preparing for and managing this transition, while creating a safe space for marketing leaders to openly discuss the strategic responsibilities of the CMO role and its critical connection to consumers, growth, and the wider business.