As the only female CEO in data management , Panzura ’ s Jill Stelfox has a vision for a new kind of company , one that values performance , innovation , and compassion
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Bring your weird – how CEO Jill Stelfox transformed Panzura
As the only female CEO in data management , Panzura ’ s Jill Stelfox has a vision for a new kind of company , one that values performance , innovation , and compassion
It ’ s 25 years since a certain Apple computer company coined the slogan Think Different for its advertising campaigns . This signalled a return to the then struggling brand ’ s maverick roots , championing creativity and heralding the return of Steve Jobs . And while a mere slogan alone will not turn around the fortunes of any company , it seems thinking differently remains solid advice .
Just ask Jill Stelfox . Jill took over struggling data storage company Panzura in 2020 – making her the only woman CEO in data management . Within three years , innovative leadership and forward-thinking people management has seen Panzura become the market leader in hybrid , multi-cloud data management , with 485 % growth since May of 2020 , when Jill refounded the company .
Jill has a vision for a new kind of company , which she shared with Business Chief .
“ We created a set of values that are unique ,” she says . “ I think a lot of companies create values but they can be like corporate speak , or a little bit of Mumbo Jumbo , to use a technical term .
“ Our number-one value is ‘ Bring your Weird ’, and that means bring your authentic self to work , and what is so cool about it is when employees are free to be their authentic self , they can get into this creative flow because their minds are clear . That ' s unstoppable . You can ' t teach it , and you can ' t train it . It ' s unbelievable .”
Jill points to the amount of innovation undertaken at Panzura in the last twoand-a-half years in the middle of a “ pretty challenging time ”, but also a time where the company has launched seven new products and achieved those incredible revenue growth figures – not to mention a growing cabinet of business awards .
Jill ’ s vision is to build an equitable environment that values performance , innovation , and compassion . She intentionally sought to create a culture that attracts the best , starting with concrete measures that deliver equity in the workplace and drive performance , reimagining how to attract and care for employees as a cornerstone of the company ’ s success .
26 January 2023