Kraig Swensrud: The People Who Got Me Here

In this episode, Kraig Swensrud—3x founder, CEO of Qualified, and former CMO of Salesforce, reflects on the people and pivotal moments that shaped his career. From early bets placed on him as a rookie sales engineer, to mentors who opened doors, to colleagues who pushed him to take bold risks, Kraig shares how relationships powered his path from Oracle to founding three companies.

He opens up about the leaders who invested in him, why he now pays it forward by spotting future superstars inside his own company, and the simple practices that build lifelong bonds. Kraig also offers grounded advice for early-career professionals: take more risks than you feel comfortable with, lean into emerging technology, never burn bridges, and remember that today’s peers will be tomorrow’s industry leaders.

A candid, inspiring look at how great careers are never built alone, but together.

www.whogotmehere.com

Time Stamps:

* 01:33 - Introduction to Kraig’s Journey

* 01:47 - The Salesforce Acquisition Story

* 05:04 - Taking Risks and Building Relationships

* 06:19 - Breaking into Tech and Early Mentorship

* 08:18 - Paying It Forward: Mentorship Today

* 10:26 - Forging Relationships Through Work

* 11:45 - The Tech Industry Is Smaller Than You Think