Jeff Stender believes marketing works best as a magnet, bringing teams and functions together around an exceptional customer experience. As Director of Channel Marketing at Epicor, he puts that philosophy into practice by helping channel partners build pipeline and drive revenue across manufacturing, distribution, retail, and strategic applications.
With a background spanning content strategy, demand generation, and integrated marketing communications, Stender approaches growth as both a creative and an operational discipline. He is as interested in the systems behind great marketing as the campaigns themselves, from developing an organization of AI agents that works alongside Epicor’s people to establishing the ownership and decision rights that help teams move with greater speed, creativity, and confidence.
Named to our Marketers to Watch list, Stender shared his perspective on using AI to uncover opportunities, why responsible business practices will shape brand trust more than messaging alone, and how adaptability helps leaders create clarity amid constant change.
What book or podcast do you recommend to marketing leaders?
Although they are not marketing-specific, my favorite podcasts are Pivot and On with Kara Swisher. I am drawn to almost anything featuring Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway.
I believe marketing is a magnet that, at its best, pulls every function together to deliver exceptional customer experiences. A well-rounded perspective on the technology sector, global socioeconomic trends, and human interest is critical.
How are you and your team currently using AI?
We use AI as a productivity and insight tool rather than as a replacement for strategy or creativity. We are developing an organization of AI agents that works alongside our people organization. These agents will help us identify changes in our ideal customer profile and buying committees, uncover non-obvious opportunities for bringing products to market, and test website scenarios to maximize digital conversion rates.
What’s a prediction you have for marketing over the next few years?
I believe the intersection of technology development, consumer adoption, and policy is reaching a tipping point that will shape brand trust. As global regulations expand and tighten, as demonstrated by Australia’s teen social media ban, and communities push back against the physical spread of data centers, consumers and regulators will increasingly favor companies with responsible, ethical footprints. That will not only challenge how companies go to market but which channels they can rely on to reach their target audiences. For modern marketers managing this paradox, the challenge will become channel/message alignment.
What’s the most innovative or exciting project you’ve worked on recently?
Outside of my day job, I recently supported a family member who is a first-time candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives. We integrated Wix, Google Workspace, Givebutter, and PoliEngine to build the campaign’s digital and donation infrastructure from scratch.
Removing friction from the donation and communication journey by aligning the technical systems behind it was incredibly rewarding.
What’s the most pressing business challenge you’ve faced in the last year and what have you done to solve it?
We are scaling and have reached an exciting inflection point. Meeting expectations at this next stage of growth requires significant process mapping.
It might sound unglamorous, but establishing clear ownership and decision rights across the channel marketing team is key to unlocking greater creativity, speed, and engagement.
What leadership muscle is most important for marketers to exercise?
Adaptability. Marketing is a dynamic sport, and it changes constantly. Whether the change involves buyer behavior, technology, or organizational priorities, great leaders create clarity during uncertainty, remain open to new ideas, and help their teams navigate change without losing focus.
The ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn as we respond to the needs of customers, partners, and team members ultimately leads to better decisions and stronger results.
What’s the most game-changing piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
The best ideas win. Collaborating with teams instead of selling ideas to them invites people to participate in the solution. Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about listening and drawing out the best thinking from the people in the trenches with you.
What gives you energy and inspiration outside of work?
My family is at the top of the list. We love to pending time together, traveling, and playing board games (especially Wingspan).
Mountain biking, hiking, and running are also rejuvenating. Finally, writing music and playing in a band exercises a different part of my brain. It helps me think differently beyond the world of spreadsheets.
Marketers to Watch is a recognition series to spotlight highly innovative and forward-thinking marketing leaders in the community. If you have someone you’d like to nominate for the series, apply here.
