Cyrus Sussman - Alumni Profiles - People - Batten Institute

Cyrus Sussman (EMBA '22) has charted a dynamic career across digital marketing, tech and entrepreneurship, blending strategic thinking with hands-on execution. From running multi-million dollar ad campaigns to leading SaaS marketing teams and now advising B2B companies through his consultancy, he offers a valuable cross-functional perspective. 

Hometown: Rochester, NY
Currently living in Silver Spring, MD

Other education: George Washington University - Bachelor of Arts - Major in Communication and Minor in Organizational Sciences

Could you share a bit about your unique career arc and where you've currently landed?

I started my career in digital marketing, running multi-million dollar Google Ads campaigns - thanks, in part, to an internship that taught me the power of Excel. Since then, I’ve built a broad foundation across tech and marketing: managing Salesforce systems, building marketing teams from scratch at high-growth SaaS companies, and even leading outbound sales reps. Today, I run a consultancy that helps B2B SaaS companies ($10M–$100M in revenue) streamline their marketing operations - so their teams can execute faster and grow smarter.

Which Darden courses and/or activities have had the biggest impact on your career post-MBA? 

Ultimate Questions with Andy Wicks pushed me to reflect deeply on how my career aligns with who I am and the kind of life I want to lead. It helped me think more intentionally about choosing work that reflects my values. Effectual Entrepreneurship with Venkat reframed how I thought about entrepreneurship. I learned that most successful founders aren’t 20-something prodigies, but experienced, well-connected professionals. That insight helped ease the pressure and gave me the confidence to pursue my own path on my own timeline.
 

What advice would you have for prospective and current Darden students who are interested in pursuing a career in the tech sector? 

This is advice I was given when I graduated: Show, don’t tell. When you graduate, don’t lead with “I have an MBA.” Lead with how your experience changed your perspective and sharpened your thinking.

One of the biggest benefits of an MBA is gaining a broader professional lens. It pulls you out of your industry silo and shows you how others tackle similar problems in different contexts. That perspective is incredibly valuable in tech, where cross-functional teams often straddle distinct disciplines. People will be open to your ideas - but they’ll care more about how you think than where you went to school.

What characteristics are most important to succeed in tech?  

In my experience, one of the most important traits for success in tech is a willingness to be an early adopter. My career has been shaped by jumping into new technologies early, and getting just far enough ahead to become a go-to expert. It’s often less about technical mastery and more about being curious and unafraid to explore, especially when others hesitate. Most people resist change; if you can lean into it, you’ll stand out.