Edward McDonnell

CRO, Asana

I grew up in Port Chester, a culturally diverse village near New York City. Raised by a nurse and a police officer, I inherited a strong work ethic and a commitment to serving others. As an only child in a blended family with five siblings, I learned to embrace resilience, creativity, and teamwork as keys to adapting to any situation.

My college journey at the University of Rhode Island taught me the most important lesson of all—the value of lifelong friendships. These experiences continue to shape my values, passions, and approach to both life and work.

Throughout my 25+ year career, I've had the privilege of working at two companies for more than a decade each, as well as with a venture-backed start-up, a private equity turn-around, and a high-growth venture that culminated in an acquisition. Each experience has been crucial in shaping my leadership style, deepening my understanding of people, and fueling my passion for high-growth opportunities.

At Salesforce (2013-2023), I progressed from early Marketing Cloud leader to global CRO, transforming a $100M business into the leading marketing technology in software. In my final role, I led an Operating Unit overseeing two high-growth clouds, Marketing and Commerce, and two fully integrated verticals, Retail and Consumer Goods. With 1,800+ professionals, we served diverse clients, drove digital transformation, and generated $3.5B+ in annual recurring revenue.

Currently at Asana, I lead the full revenue lifecycle from growth to direct sales, customer acquisition to post-sales support, and channel partnerships. My team and I are dedicated to delivering exceptional value throughout our customers' journeys, from initial onboarding to ongoing support. By fostering a culture of innovation and customer-centricity, we've consistently exceeded revenue targets and established Asana as a leading work management solution.

Outside of work, I reside in NJ with my wife and two teenagers. My passions include friendly games of backgammon, cherishing moments at the beach or on the golf course, staying active on the Peloton, playing fantasy sports, enjoying all things Disney, and spending quality time with friends and family.