Leader’s Corner: Ryan Nappi, Tanium

“It's such a noisy market out there. We need to do things that are different.” Ryan Nappi, Northern European Director for Marketing at Tanium, and winner of the Future B2B CMO 100, discusses his career growth and marketing trajectory in this exclusive Leader’s Corner interview at The Studio.

Ryan Nappi, with over 16 years of experience in enterprise technology marketing, discusses his journey from strategic roles at Symantec, Lookout and Oracle to leading Tanium’s Northern European marketing. Discover his mentorship-driven leadership, dedication to field marketing, and innovative customer engagement strategies in this Leader’s Corner interview recorded at The Studio at Abbey Road.

Leader’s Corner Interview with Ryan Nappi

• Mentorship and growth
• Customer-centricity at Tanium
• The path to field marketing
• The art of leading from the back

Watch the full Leader's Corner interview below:

Mentorship and growth

“I think I’ve been really fortunate.”

Reflecting on his extensive career, Ryan attributes much of his success to the support and mentorship he has received over the years. “I have been really fortunate,” he said, “to have had a string of managers and mentors that have allowed me to grow as a leader.”

As a result, this foundation has enabled Ryan to cultivate a leadership style that emphasises empowerment and innovation. He allows his team to “grow and cultivate [into] amazing marketers and just let them get on with it and be innovative and creative in their own ways.”

Customer-centricity at Tanium

“A big part of our marketing plan every year is how we engage with our customers and a part of that is our user groups and the events.” 

Tanium’s marketing strategy, under Ryan’s direction, is deeply rooted in customer engagement. “Tanium is a very customer-centric organisation,” Ryan explained. This focus is evident in the company’s user groups and events, which have grown significantly over the past eight years.

From modest gatherings in offices to hosting over 260 attendees at their largest customer event in London, Ryan’s team has successfully created platforms for customers to share best practices and collaborate on solving common challenges. 

The path to field marketing 

Ryan’s decision to remain in field marketing, despite receiving several opportunities for global positions elsewhere, speaks volumes about his dedication to hands-on leadership in his role. He values the two-way exchange of knowledge within his team, "there are only so many things you can pick up in an individual contribution role," he noted. 

By remaining in his position as Marketing Director for Northern Europe at Tanium and staying in field marketing, Ryan ensures that he is continuously learning and growing in sync with his team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The art of leading from the back

Nappi strives to create an environment where his team feels comfortable and supported, enabling them to take risks and pursue innovative ideas. 

“I've got amazing marketers in my team, better marketers than I am," he admits. His main goal? To instil confidence in his team, allowing them to become the best marketers they can be. “It's such a noisy market out there. We need to do things that are different.”

Watch the full Leader’s Corner interview with Ryan Nappi to learn more about his marketing career and his thoughts on The Studio at Abbey Road.