Kelly Esten

Kelly Esten is a prominent marketing executive currently serving as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Toast, Inc., a company specializing in cloud-based restaurant management and point-of-sale solutions. She joined Toast in 2017, initially taking on the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise, where she played a key role in shaping the company's marketing strategies and product offerings.

Education and Early Career

Esten holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Dartmouth College as well. Her career began at UBS, where she held various roles in sales, finance, and strategy. Before joining Toast, she spent six years at EnerNOC, where she was instrumental in building their product marketing division and leading enterprise sales efforts.

Contributions at Toast

At Toast, Esten has been pivotal in launching several successful products, including the Toast Now app, which provides digital ordering and delivery solutions to restaurants. This initiative was particularly significant during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it offered vital support to restaurants facing unprecedented challenges. Her approach to marketing emphasizes a customer-centric philosophy, focusing on understanding customer needs and fostering authentic engagement through feedback and storytelling.123

Mentorship and Leadership Style

Esten credits much of her success to the mentorship she received from industry leaders, including former Toast CMO Kevin Hamilton. She believes in empowering her team and creating an environment that encourages professional growth and collaboration between sales and marketing departments.12

Personal Life

Outside of her professional endeavors, Esten balances her career with family life, often sharing insights about managing work-life balance while navigating her responsibilities as a mother.2

Overall, Kelly Esten's leadership at Toast reflects her commitment to innovation in marketing and dedication to supporting the restaurant industry through challenging times.