Chelsey Hughes
VP of Marketing
Versatile B2B and B2C marketing executive with a rich 16-year of expertise in driving revenue growth and expanding brands across real estate, fitness, and SaaS sectors. Specializing in developing integrated marketing strategies, maximizing ROI, reinvigorating brands, and launching effective go-to-market plans. Leads with proficiency in managing large-scale budgets, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and establishing strategic alliances to enhance brand visibility and deepen market impact. Excelling in fast-paced environments, adeptly turns market insights into significant marketing endeavors, securing organizational advancement.
Currently located in Dallas, TX.
Open to remote & hybrid.
EXPERIENCE
2018 | January 2024
Consultant
Orchestrated marketing strategies for three diverse SaaS platforms (On the Goga, Solo, Cognitive Space, Zoee, NYLO), driving revenue growth, product expansion, digital & content marketing, and enhanced sales enablement.
October 2021 | March 2023
National Director, Marketing and Brand Experience
Directed the brand strategy for two multifamily portfolios, including a pioneering health & wellness multifamily brand in the US, ensuring consistency across channels. Developed and executed GTM strategies for a $1B+ multifamily and mixed-use real estate portfolio nationwide while leading a high-performing team of 8 directors and business unit leads.
January 2020 | December 2020
Senior Director of Marketing
Spearheaded marketing strategy and brand identity for NYC-based multifamily and mixed-use development firm, including conceptualizing a branded fitness concept for properties across major US markets.
January 2019 | January 2020
Director of Marketing (Contract)
Directed all aspects of marketing for an esteemed international commercial real estate development firm, overseeing marketing budget, integrated campaigns, media plans, website designs, and social media content calendars. Provided leadership and training to marketing managers across 3 geographies (US, Europe, and Brazil).
January 2017 | December 2018
Senior Manager, Strategic Marketing
Led strategic marketing efforts, overseeing the implementation of the brand’s first integrated campaign and developing cross-channel strategic plans tailored to diverse consumer segments.
June 2013 | January 2017
President, COO & CMO
Managed all operations, financial reporting, investor relations, and marketing for a leading fitness brand with locations across the US and Spain, driving significant growth and market expansion efforts while fostering a strong sense of community and maximizing membership Lifetime Value (LTV). Reported and provided insights to the founder and CEO.
RESULTS
Orchestrated full-funnel integrated marketing strategies for SaaS platforms, startups, and global brands, overseeing all processes from annual planning to market positioning and establishing marketing mix.
Developed and executing GTM strategies for B2B and B2C products and services, ensuring market expansion and consistency across channels through customer journey mapping, buyer personas, competitive analysis, and implementation plans.
Achieved significant revenue increases and impressive ROI through strategic marketing leadership. Contributed to continued business success by driving +200% revenue growth, 5:1 ROI, channel optimization, and sales enablement.
EXPERTISE
Global Brand Marketing Leadership
Expansion Strategy
Demand Generation
Integrated Campaign Strategies
Market Research
Budget Management
Data-Driven Decision Making
B2B & B2C Marketing
Omnichannel Marketing
Brand Positioning & Messaging
Audience Segmentation
Team Development
P&L
Innovation & Creativity
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Bachelor of Science (BS) Advertising/Public Relations
MEET CHELSEY
Q & A
Why did you choose your profession?
I always loved to tell stories that inspire people, and to tell people’s stories. Combined with my natural aptitude for creative expression, majoring in Advertising and going into the field of Marketing was a natural path. I am equal parts strategic, creative, and detail oriented – and leading Marketing allows me to tap into all three of those aspects of myself. I am fascinated with what motivates people and how they think. (I minored in psychology merely because I enjoyed the courses and took so many of these electives it was enough credits to become a minor.) Now it makes perfect sense in my professional life, as effective marketers intimately understand their audiences' worldview and motivations. I get to learn about people’s pain points and provide them solutions through telling them about products and services.
What has been the greatest accomplishment of your life so far? Is there anything you wish to do even better?
“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."
- Booker T. Washington
With Booker T. Washington’s words in mind, qualifying for the 2017 CrossFit Games is one of my greatest accomplishments thus far. After competing at the elite level and placing well in multiple international offseason competitions, I narrowly missed qualifying for the Games (only the Top 40 fittest women in the world qualify) two consecutive years. Finally in 2017, after a year of personal hardship that made training almost impossible, I punched my ticket to my sport’s biggest stage. It served as a poignant life lesson in grit, overcoming obstacles, deep self-belief, and making one’s dreams come true. I went on to compete at the CrossFit Games 4 times, finishing 8th worldwide my final season.
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​There are so many lessons from my athletic career that I have parlayed into my professional career, and have every intention of turning the last several years of professional hardships into a thriving career at the highest level. I want to perform at a world class level, inspiring thousands, and even more!! Many of the same principles I applied to reaching the elite levels in my sport apply to my professional career – detailed focus, intentional effort, disciplined planning, rigorous self-evaluation, curiously exploring my greatest potential, seeking mentors, and thoughtfully planned rest and recovery.
How would your peers and team members describe your responsiveness as a leader?
Excerpts from the my 360 feedback survey at Akara Partners:
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"Chelsey's strengths include creative problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills. She connects with us on a human level."
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"Chelsey is a leader and clearly explains things. I feel she also thinks things through and considers all perspectives before making decisions."
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"Chelsey's strengths are leadership and intelligence, she is highly qualified for her role and brings immense value and motivation to the teams and company. I believe Chelsey has added credibility to Akara and Kenect and elevated the brand.
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"Chelsey's positive attributes are strongly displayed to all her peers. She has a deep knowledge and understanding on many topics. Her confidence in her work inspires me to face the challenges I have in my own work."
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"I appreciate that Chelsey is careful with her approach and always listens first. Her opinions and suggestions are always knowledge and experience backed and you can trust that her input will be valuable."
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"Chelsey is quick to adapt to an evolving work environment and property and company goals. She is consistently kind, considerate, creative and assertive. Brings wide ranging and comprehensive experience and skillset and will seek to fill any gaps needed to accomplish the goal."
INTERESTS & HOBBIES
TESTIMONIALS
Rosemary Mullins Salfiti, EVP, Client Relationships at Freeman+Leonard | Account Manager, Strategic Partner, Staffing, Marketing + Digital + Creative Resource Guru
I was fortunate enough to have Chelsey as an AE on my team during her time at TracyLocke. She's an extremely motivated perfectionist that accepts nothing less than her personal best in every area of her life. She thinks about the big picture as she thoughtfully considers every move, a rare and ahead-of-her-time approach for someone at the AE level. Chelsey asks smart questions, is extremely poised and professional, articulate and reliable. I'd welcome the opportunity to work with her again.
Kerry-Anne Lawson, Sr. Manager, Strategy and Processes at Walmart - Apparel Division
While working on the Marketing Project Management team at Walmart, Chelsey demonstrated excellent work ethic. She quickly grasped and found more efficient ways to accomplish any task that was assigned to her, and did so with a great attitude every day. Chelsey showed an eagerness to learn and always tried to apply new learnings to her current responsibilities. She also did not hesitate to share her learnings with the rest of the team and stepped in on numerous occasions to take on added responsibilities if other team members needed assistance. In sum, I would describe Chelsey as a dedicated, goal-oriented team player with an excellent attitude and work ethic.
