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Meet some of the experts powering the Clozd Expert Network

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Getting to the real story behind why a deal was won or lost takes thoughtful design and the right format. At Clozd, we offer a range of solutions—from self-guided Flex Interviews to deep-dive live interviews—to match the level of insight our clients need. For years, our in-house consultants have led those conversations, uncovering insights that drive strategy and alignment.

But sometimes, certain scenarios call for something more: a voice that’s walked in the buyer’s shoes, a background that earns instant credibility, or experience that signals: "This person gets it." 

That’s where the Clozd Expert Network (CEN) comes in.

The CEN is a group of seasoned professionals—including former executives, founders, and customer leaders—who bring deep experience and industry context to senior-level interviews. These are the folks you want talking to your C-suite prospects or specialized personas. 

Let’s meet a few of them.

Taylor Davis: Healthcare insider with analytical depth

Taylor has spent his career at the intersection of healthcare operations and technology. Before co-founding CareLuminate and HealthLuminate, he was President at KLAS Research, where he led consulting efforts and founded the KLAS Arch Collaborative.

Taylor has conducted thousands of interviews with healthcare leaders and brings a rare blend of executive perspective and data fluency to the table. With experience across provider, payer, employer, and broker landscapes, he’s well-equipped to uncover strategic insights in even the most complex healthcare environments. His thoughtful, methodical approach makes him exceptionally suited for sensitive, executive-level conversations.

He’s also a natural systems thinker, someone who can spot patterns across seemingly disconnected inputs and distill them into strategic takeaways. His academic background in statistics paired with hands-on leadership experience helps him ask the questions that others overlook and draw out insights that shape real decisions.

Danielle Wanderer: Strategic marketer with a buyer-centric mindset

Danielle brings more than 25 years of B2B SaaS experience, having led marketing at companies like Qualtrics, Perceptyx, Quiq Inc., and SplashLab Social. She’s built and scaled global teams, shaped product messaging, and crafted end-to-end GTM strategies.

What makes Danielle a natural fit for high-level buyer conversations is her deep understanding of what drives customer decisions. She knows what motivates them because she’s spent her career talking with them, listening, and using their voice to shape strategy. She’s passionate about helping teams understand the full buyer journey and brings that same curiosity and clarity to every interview she’s equipped to lead.

Danielle’s leadership style is marked by a rare combination of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. She understands that success is rooted in knowing your audience, communicating clearly, and building trust at every stage. From enterprise messaging to creative storytelling, Danielle knows how to synthesize insight into impact. That same skill translates powerfully into every buyer conversation.

Jeff Weber: Talent leader who gets to the heart of culture

As chief people officer at Breeze Airways, Jeff leads culture and talent strategy for a fast-growing, tech-forward airline. He’s also led HR functions at Ancestry.com, Instructure, and Xevant.

Jeff’s background gives him a unique ability to speak to the unspoken—the values, concerns, and motivations that influence purchasing decisions. His people-first leadership style and board experience make him especially qualified to connect with senior buyers on culture-aligned decision-making.

Over the years, Jeff has built scalable HR systems, led executive talent strategies, and helped multiple companies navigate rapid growth and cultural evolution. His ability to listen deeply and lead with empathy makes him well-suited to uncover the nuances behind executive decisions, especially when values and people dynamics are at play.

Carolyn Passey: Customer success pro with a nose for eliminating friction

Carolyn currently leads the customer success team at Spiff, and has held previous leadership roles at Instructure and TAB Bank. She’s helped companies align teams, improve retention, and build strong customer relationships at scale.

Her ability to identify subtle friction points in the customer journey and connect them back to broader operational themes makes her a strong fit for post-sale and churn-related interviews. Her analytical mindset and calm presence set the stage for open, productive conversations with buyers.

She brings a unique lens to every conversation, blending tactical understanding with executive perspective. With a deep appreciation for what makes customers stay loyal or walk away, Carolyn helps companies zero in on actionable changes that support stronger retention and long-term growth.

Jonathan Johnson: Former CEO with boardroom credibility

Jonathan knows what it’s like to make high-stakes decisions. As the former CEO of Overstock.com (now Beyond, Inc.), he led a company transformation that included a major acquisition and rebrand. His boardroom experience spans The J.M. Smucker Company, Nursa, and Bloom, among others.

Jonathan’s operational and governance experience means he can relate directly to the priorities and pressures facing executive buyers. He understands what it takes to earn trust and alignment at the top, and he’s uniquely positioned to lead interviews where C-level credibility makes all the difference.

His leadership style blends decisiveness with transparency. He’s guided companies through turnarounds, M&A, and cultural overhauls. With decades of board and C-suite experience, Jonathan sees deals through the lens of both opportunity and risk and is especially skilled at surfacing the strategic criteria that inform executive buying decisions.

Why the Clozd Expert Network matters

Not every interview calls for an industry veteran—but when you’re engaging with senior decision-makers or exploring sensitive topics, it helps to have someone who’s been there. The Clozd Expert Network is here to complement our in-house team, offering another way to unlock deep, candid buyer insights.

Our experts follow the same proven Clozd methodology and certification process, so you get consistency and quality no matter who’s behind the mic.

Final thoughts

Clozd has always been about getting to the truth. With this new network, we’ve added another tool to help our clients do just that. These experts bring lived experience, sharp instincts, and the ability to connect with senior buyers in a way that elevates every conversation.

It’s one more way we’re helping companies win more, churn less, and move forward with confidence.

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Clozd gave us insights into the 'why' we were winning deals."

Ike Nwabah | VP of Marketing

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Outstanding means of understanding why you win and lose."

Tripp R. | Global Competitive Insights Manager

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Depth of knowledge we could never achieve on our own."

Gary C. | VP of Product Marketing

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