Akhil Cherukupally has established himself as a distinguished sales professional at Palo Alto Networks, where he currently oversees Google Public Cloud Alliance, GTM, and Engagement strategies. After pivoting from a medical career path, he completed SV Academy's tech sales program and began his journey at Evident.io as a Business Development Representative. Following Evident.io's acquisition by Palo Alto Networks, he rapidly advanced through multiple roles including Inside Account Representative and Account Representative

Ernest Owusu brings a unique blend of professional sports and sales leadership experience to his role as Sr. Director of Sales Development at 6sense. His journey from NFL athlete with the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and other teams to sales leadership demonstrates his ability to transfer high-performance principles across domains. At SV Academy, he teaches "Groundwork for Success in Sales Development," which has enrolled over 46,000 learners and maintains a 4.7/5 instructor rating. His course is part of the Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate program, focusing on essential skills including accountability, coachability, and collaborative teamwork. His teaching methodology emphasizes practical application and growth mindset development, drawing from his experience in both professional sports and B2B sales. His leadership extends beyond teaching through his role as Expert in Residence at First Round Capital and Co-Founder of Sales for the Culture, contributing to the development of diverse sales talent. His work has helped SV Academy achieve significant impact, with over 3,000 graduates and 76% representation from underrepresented groups

Marcos Serna serves as Account Executive at Okta, bringing extensive expertise in enterprise software sales and sales development. At SV Academy, he delivers comprehensive courses in both English and Spanish, focusing on conversational selling techniques and foundational sales development skills. His course portfolio includes "Conversational Selling Playbook for SDRs" and "Groundwork for Success in Sales Development," which have contributed to SV Academy's success in training over 3,000 graduates. His bilingual teaching approach helps make tech sales education accessible to diverse audiences, supporting SV Academy's mission of democratizing access to tech careers. His expertise in enterprise sales at Okta provides valuable insights for students transitioning into tech sales roles. His teaching methodology emphasizes practical selling techniques and professional development strategies, helping students master the fundamentals of sales development. His work aligns with SV Academy's impressive track record of placing graduates in tech sales positions, with 76% representation from underrepresented groups and 60% receiving promotions in their first year.

Rubab Rizvi brings significant experience in operations and people management from her role at Fleetsmith, which was acquired by Apple in 2020. Her expertise spans operations strategy, team development, and sales enablement, gained through her leadership role in scaling Fleetsmith's operations before its acquisition. At SV Academy, she teaches "Bases para el éxito en el desarrollo de ventas" in Spanish, focusing on foundational sales development skills and professional growth. Her course curriculum emphasizes practical application of sales principles, technology integration, and professional communication skills. Her experience in managing operations during a successful startup acquisition provides valuable insights for students pursuing careers in tech sales. Her teaching methodology combines operational expertise with people development strategies, helping students understand both the technical and interpersonal aspects of sales roles. Her work contributes to SV Academy's mission of democratizing access to tech careers, particularly for Spanish-speaking professionals seeking to enter the tech industry

Trailhead stands as Salesforce's flagship educational initiative, democratizing access to technology skills through a comprehensive free online learning platform. Launched with the mission to reduce barriers to entry in the tech workforce, Trailhead offers over 800 badges covering business, technical, and soft skills training. The platform combines gamified learning with practical applications through features like Trailhead Playground, where learners can practice in a safe environment. Its innovative approach includes bite-sized modules, hands-on challenges, and a robust certification system that provides resume-worthy credentials. With more than 2 million active learners across 1,300 Trailblazer communities in 90 countries, the platform has become a cornerstone of Salesforce education. Through its Trailmixes (customized learning paths), superbadges (advanced skill certifications), and integration with the global Trailblazer Community, Trailhead creates an inclusive learning ecosystem that supports career advancement regardless of background. The platform's success is evidenced by numerous success stories of professionals doubling their income through Salesforce certification and training