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

Alicia Mitchell serves as a Business Solutions Consultant at InsideView, bringing expertise in technology sales and business development. As a graduate of SV Academy's tech sales program, she exemplifies the successful transition into technology sales careers. At SV Academy, she contributes to the "Groundwork for Success in Sales Development" course, which is part of the Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate program. The course, which has enrolled over 46,000 learners, focuses on developing essential skills for sales development representatives including professional mindset development, time management, and goal setting. Her experience in business solutions consulting allows her to provide practical insights into the tech sales industry, helping students understand the day-to-day responsibilities of sales development roles. Her teaching approach emphasizes the importance of developing core competencies such as speaking, writing, and computer skills, while fostering a growth mindset essential for success in technology sales.

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.

NaOmi Furukawa serves as Program Manager of Fellow Success at SV Academy, where she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales development training programs. At SV Academy, she teaches "Groundwork for Success in Sales Development," a foundational course that has enrolled over 46,000 learners as part of the Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate program. Her course maintains high engagement rates and focuses on essential skills including growth mindset development, professional communication, and sales fundamentals. Her teaching methodology emphasizes practical application and student success, with particular attention to developing core competencies such as speaking, writing, and technical skills. Her expertise contributes to SV Academy's mission of democratizing access to tech sales careers, helping maintain their impressive 76% representation from underrepresented groups among graduates. Her role in fellow success management helps ensure students receive comprehensive support throughout their training and career transition process.