⌁ Portfolio · 2026 · Atlanta, GA

I commercialize AI for companies that actually have to sell it.

I'm Celest Turner Hall, a CMO, Chief Commercial Officer, and master storyteller focused on AI and new product commercialization. For twenty years inside PE-backed and public-company SaaS, telco, and enterprise, I've spotted what's next and built the teams and engines to convert it into revenue that proves it.

Celest Turner Hall
Let's Have a Conversation Today
20+
Years building growth
5x
TAM expansion (EDB)
+49%
SaaS penetration (Sage)
12
AI launches (Aptean)

Trusted across two decades of brands

ApteanEDBSageIntelVerizonAT&TJohns HopkinsAEGON
01The Story

A strategic operator
in twenty words.

"I turn ambiguous AI ambition into structured GTM, repeatable pipeline, and brand authority across PE-backed and public SaaS, telco, and enterprise."

The longer read

I'm an AI-native marketing and commercialization executive who builds the connective tissue between product, GTM, and revenue. I've launched AI and SaaS platforms inside PE-backed and public companies, expanded addressable markets by 5x, repositioned legacy brands into modern SaaS stories, secured first-time inclusion in Gartner and IDC reports, and architected the operational launch rigor that lets product marketing scale without losing its narrative. My teams have been global and distributed, my budgets have run into the multimillions, and my work is measured by ICP engagement, pipeline quality, and the moment a market starts repeating your language back to you. I am a strategic growth operator.

02Career Arc

Twenty years, eight companies, one operating system.

2025–2026
Aptean

Global Vice President of Product Marketing

Led global product marketing and go-to-market for a vertically focused, PE-backed SaaS and AI platform organization.

  • Launched AppCentral, Aptean's AI platform and ecosystem, alongside nearly a dozen AI-enabled solutions with a unified market narrative and activation plan.
  • Architected data-driven GTM infrastructure integrating PRFAQ launch rigor, funnel reporting, GEO/AEO readiness, ABM strategy, and ADR/SDR cadences.
  • Refined ICP and messaging to lift ICP engagement 25% and cut pipeline noise.
  • Expanded analyst coverage across Gartner, IDC, and G2, and led agentic AI training for 100+ employees.
2024–2026
Shining Opus

Founder & Chief Commercial Officer

Built an advisory practice helping enterprise and mid-market leaders translate generative AI and data strategy into commercial outcomes.

  • Designed AI innovation workshops for Microsoft SMB and nonprofits to accelerate AI adoption.
  • Built executive data storytelling frameworks for emerging leaders at Randstad.
  • Advised and delivered a framework for a Product Management Center of Excellence at Benchmark Senior Living.
2022–2024
EnterpriseDB

SVP, Product Marketing & Strategic Planning

Led product marketing, strategic planning, insights, and GTM transformation for a global data and AI platform company.

  • Aligned executives on a 3-year AI growth plan that expanded TAM 5x.
  • Defined product-level growth targets and go-to-market tactics that contributed to 20%+ YoY growth.
  • Rebuilt competitive intelligence, ICP modeling, and lead scoring, lifting new customer acquisition 15%.
  • Secured first-ever inclusion in Gartner's Magic Quadrant; served as interim CPO and media spokesperson.
2017–2022
Sage Group

VP, Marketing Strategy & Customer Insights

Repositioned a legacy software brand into a modern SaaS company through research, segmentation, and global PLG.

  • Led global research with nearly 10,000 SMBs that anchored Sage's brand transformation from legacy to modern SaaS brand.
  • Launched Sage's first SaaS products internationally, contributing to 51% growth.
  • Developed relationships with IDC analysts and drove Sage's first inclusion in the IDC MarketScape.
2010–2016
Intel Corporation

Partner Marketing & Campaigns Manager

Led strategic partner marketing and enterprise campaigns for telecommunications, government and enterprise accounts.

  • Managed sell-thru and sell-with relationships with OEM, Telco, and Big Box with a multimillion dollar marketing investment.
  • Exceeded ROI goals by 25% across B2B / B2C campaigns and retail merchandising.
  • Negotiated Intel's first partner marketing agreement with Cisco for NFV, doubling projected lead volume.
  • Secured Intel's first Verizon partnership for 4G computing devices, delivering 3x ROI targets.
2006–2010
Verizon Wireless

Marketing Strategy Manager

Designed Verizon's first B2B e-marketing and content strategy for SMB, enterprise, and government customers.

  • Built 14 digital marketing programs that reduced call center costs 10% through self-service.
  • Established co-marketing with Microsoft, General Dynamics, and other partners, creating 200% engagement uplift.
  • Expanded opt-in email participation by 300% and lifted customer retention.
2005–2006
BellSouth

Senior Marcom Manager

Led SMB customer marketing: acquisition, win-back, contract renewals, and search.

  • Managed multimillion dollar integrated marketing budget across radio, TV, direct mail, research, and creative testing.
  • Expanded media strategy that increased acquisition response rates by 25%.
2001–2005
Johns Hopkins University

Director of Product Marketing

Led marketing for Advanced Academic Programs, delivering record revenue and enrollment.

  • Managed marketing investment and a team of 10 across direct mail, TV, radio, OOH, and digital.
  • Brand transformation lifted program awareness 10% in one year.
  • Exceeded tuition goals consistently; grew post-baccalaureate premedical applications by 50%.
03Capabilities

What I'm hired to do.

Sixteen disciplines that converge into one job: commercialize what's new before the market knows it needs it.

  • 01AI Commercialization & SaaS Growth
  • 02Go-to-Market Strategy
  • 03Demand Generation & Pipeline Acceleration
  • 04Product Marketing & Product Launch
  • 05Account-Based Marketing Strategy
  • 06Thought Leadership & Influence
  • 07Brand Strategy & Advertising Media Mix
  • 08Customer, Competitive & Marketing Insights
  • 09ICP Development, Segmentation & Targeting
  • 10Strategic Planning & M&A
  • 11Revenue Forecasting & Marketing ROI
  • 12Lifecycle Marketing & Retention
  • 13Analyst Relations (Gartner, IDC, G2, Forrester)
  • 14Executive Comms & Thought Leadership
  • 15Marketing Leadership & Transformation
  • 16Partnerships & Ecosystem Marketing
  • 17GEO / AEO / AI Discovery Strategy
04Selected Work

Four stories from inside the room.

Metrics shown as relative gains. Absolute revenue and pipeline figures available under NDA.

AI Platform Launch · Aptean

From product launch to ecosystem narrative.

Launched agentic AI platform called AppCentral, plus nearly a dozen AI-enabled solutions, in a highly verticalized SaaS portfolio. Built a unified narrative, target-audience strategy, and PRFAQ-grade launch rigor so 12 launches told one coherent story to the market.

+25%
ICP engagement lift
12
AI solutions launched
100+
Employees AI-trained
TAM Expansion · EnterpriseDB

Reframed a data company as an AI platform.

Orchestrated and aligned the organization around a 3-year AI growth plan that expanded the addressable market by 5x. Rebuilt competitive intelligence, ICP, and lead scoring infrastructure, and earned the company's first appearance in Gartner's Magic Quadrant.

5x
TAM expansion
+20% YoY
Revenue growth
+15%
New customer acquisition
Brand Transformation · Sage

Legacy software brand to modern SaaS.

Led the research, segmentation, and positioning work that moved Sage off legacy perception into a modern SaaS story. Paired with a global PLG motion and GTM, I helped nearly double SaaS subscription penetration.

+49%
SaaS subscription penetration
+5
NPS points
10
Countries activated
Partner Marketing · Intel

First-of-their-kind partnerships at scale.

Negotiated Intel's first partner marketing agreement with Cisco for network function virtualization and secured the first Verizon partnership for Intel-only 4G computing devices.

2x
Projected lead volume (Cisco)
3x
ROI targets (Verizon)
+25%
ROI vs. plan
05Speaking & Thought Leadership

On stages where the next market is being defined.

Keynotes, master classes, and panels on AI commercialization, GTM, competitive intelligence, and modern marketing leadership.

  • 2026
    How AI Is Rewiring Product Marketing, GTM, and Growth (Keynote)
    Product Marketing Summit
  • 2026
    Taking AI to Market: What Companies Get Wrong and What Actually Drives Adoption
    Atlanta AI Week
  • 2026
    The Future is HER: AI in Marketing, PR, and Advertising (Panelist)
    Georgia AI in Manufacturing
  • 2025
    AI Innovation Panel (Panelist)
    Avante South
  • 2024
    Impact of AI on Small Business (GenAI Panel)
    Microsoft Philanthropies
  • 2022
    Leadership Panel
    The Boss Network
  • 2021
    Competitive Intelligence Master Class (Lead Instructor)
    Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals
  • 2019
    Content Marketing Master Class
    DigiMarCon South

From the stage.

Celest Turner Hall — Atlanta AI Week 2026 featured speaker
Celest speaking to a packed room at Atlanta AI Week
The Future Is HER magazine cover featuring Celest Turner Hall
Celest on the AI Innovation Panel at Avante South
Celest delivering a featured talk at Atlanta AI Week
Celest Turner Hall — Product Marketing Summit Atlanta 2026
Celest on the GenAI panel at Microsoft Philanthropies
Celest on the Ladies That Lead career leadership panel
Celest leading the Content Marketing Master Class at DigiMarCon South
Celest presenting the Content Marketing Master Class keynote at DigiMarCon South in Houston
Celest featured among speakers at The Future Is HER marketing and advertising event
Celest presenting at the Annual SCIP International Conference & Exhibition
06Recognition

Awards that mattered. The experts voted for her work and impact.

2025
Chief Champion Award
Chief Executive Network
2024
EDB Sales Award
Nominated by Sales Organization
2023
Titan 100 Award
Georgia's Top 100 Executives
2023
AVA Digital Awards
Excellence in Digital
2020–22
IDC Research Council Member
IDC
2019
Innovation Marketing Excellence
Sage Group
07Media Mentions

In the press.

Selected coverage and commentary from outlets covering AI, data, product marketing, and enterprise technology.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 25, 2023

EDB Delivers a No-Risk Way for Enterprises to Leave Oracle for Postgres

"There is a long list of reasons why Oracle customers are making the Postgres move with EDB," said Celest Turner Hall, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing.

Read article
SiliconANGLE
Apr 27, 2023

Enterprise DB entices Oracle users to move to Postgres

Celest Turner Hall, senior vice president of product marketing, said EDB isn't looking to cash in on the migration service.

Read article
Built In Boston
May 31, 2022

It Takes a Village to Launch a Product

Celest Turner Hall, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at EDB, on how product, marketing, and community come together to bring a launch to market.

Read article
Database Trends and Applications
Apr 2023

EDB Eases, Enriches, and Expedites Legacy Oracle Migration to Postgres

"There is a long list of reasons why Oracle customers are making the Postgres move with EDB," said Celest Turner Hall, senior vice president of product marketing.

Read article
GlobeNewswire
Nov 29, 2022

EDB Unveils Powerful New Tools for Enterprises Wanting to Join the Postgres Wave

Celest Turner Hall, SVP, Product Marketing, on how the new release helps enterprises deploy Postgres as their database standard.

Read article
EnterpriseDB
2022

EDB Webinar: Busting myths & fears when moving off Oracle ULAs

Celest Turner Hall, EDB SVP of Product Marketing and Management, joins Julie Machal-Fulks for a 30-minute webinar on moving off Oracle ULAs.

Read article
Security Boulevard
Mar 2023

Imperva Announces Joining the EDB GlobalConnect Technology Partner Program

"With best-in-class partners like Imperva, we are setting a new standard for data and cyber security in the Postgres ecosystem," said Celest Turner Hall, SVP of Product Marketing, EDB.

Read article
HPCwire
Nov 29, 2022

EDB Unveils New Postgres Tools for Enterprises

"Data security continues to be a major concern for CIOs and CISOs. This is especially true for organizations looking to standardize on Postgres," said Celest Turner Hall, SVP, Product Marketing.

Read article
Built In
Nov 1, 2024

20 Companies Where Product Teams Are Leading Innovation

Celest Turner Hall told Built In how EDB's commitment to product-led growth led to the launch of CloudNativePG at KubeCon 2022.

Read article
Indiatimes
Nov 30, 2022

EDB unveils new tools for enterprises looking to replace legacy systems

"Data security continues to be a major concern for CIOs and CISOs. This is especially true for organizations looking to standardize on Postgres," said Celest Turner Hall, SVP, Product Marketing.

Read article
08Recommendations

In their own words.

A small selection of recommendations from CEOs, CMOs, and operators she's partnered with.

She is a brilliant business strategist and marketer.
CEO
ACI Learning
Celest brought clarity to complex challenges and a visionary mindset that consistently elevated our work. She doesn't just see what's in front of her, she anticipates what's next.
CEO
Syntax Health
Celest is extraordinarily smart, has a great strategic mindset, and understands the business deeply, enabling her to easily toggle between strategy and detailed execution.
CMO
Hostaway
Her exceptional ability to articulate the intricacies of innovation and leverage technological advancements for business growth is truly impressive.
Head of AI Skills, US
Microsoft
What I appreciate most about Celest is that she leads with customer centricity, curiosity, and questions. She's a hungry learner and deep student of technologies, which she applies to inform strategy.
CMO
Franklin Covey
It is very rare to find a senior level marketer who is passionate about rolling up their sleeves, managing strategy and who is actually able to produce results. Celestine exemplifies this.
Technology Industry Portfolio Leader
Shalom
Celest made complex concepts feel accessible and provided actionable frameworks that can be used immediately.
VP
Randstad
Celest's speed to trust ability is very strong with her partners... She demonstrates great leadership and out of the box thinking always striving to deliver results.
AVP
AT&T
Celest is the kind of marketing partner who changes the trajectory of a product. She digs deep, asks the right questions, and uncovers angles that reshape how we think about customers and value.
Head of Enterprise Platforms
Arvest Bank
Celest is one of the most thoughtful and effective product marketers I've had the chance to work with. She brings a high level of structure to everything she does, which makes complex problems easier to break down and solve.
VP of RevOps
Freshworks
09Education & Certifications

Always seeking knowledge and understanding.

  • M.A., Leadership & ManagementNotre Dame of Maryland University
  • B.A., EnglishUniversity of Baltimore
  • Executive CertificateLondon School of Business
  • Professional Certificate in Strategic ForesightUniversity of Houston
  • Certified Email MarketerMarketing Sherpa

Let's design what
your next chapter looks like.

CEO, CMO and VP-level conversations, executive advisory, AI commercialization sprints, board introductions, let's talk. I read every note personally.