Commercial Growth Executive
Zachary
Leifer
CMO · CCO · GM · President
Las Vegas-based commercial growth executive helping companies turn marketing, customer data, AI, and enterprise technology into revenue growth, EBITDA improvement, and enterprise value.
Industries
Integrated Resorts & Gaming · Hospitality · Sports Wagering & Racing · iGaming · eCommerce · Luxury Retail · Sports & Digital Media
Impact at Scale
Organizations I've Led & Advised
About
"Strategy without execution is theory. Technology without commercial purpose is overhead."
Zachary Leifer is a Las Vegas-based commercial growth executive, former CMO and CCO, with senior leadership experience across integrated resorts, gaming, hospitality, sports wagering, and technology. His career includes leadership roles at Las Vegas Sands, The Venetian Resort, 1/ST Technology, PokerAtlas, and MLB Advanced Media.
I combine senior marketing leadership with executive enterprise technology experience — a rare combination that came together when I was recruited from VP of Digital Marketing & eCommerce into VP of Corporate IT at Las Vegas Sands, giving me a vantage point across both the commercial and technology sides of the business.
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, my work spans Fortune 500 hospitality and gaming, global B2B and B2C platforms, and direct-to-consumer brands. In every context, I've focused on the same fundamentals: set clear priorities, align teams around outcomes, build accountability into the operating model, and create the conditions for people to do their best work.
I recently completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, with a capstone focused on Driving Enterprise Value from Data, Digital Transformation, and Artificial Intelligence.
Education
Harvard Business School
Advanced Management Program · 2026
Capstone: Enterprise Value from Data, Digital Transformation & AI
Cornell University
B.S., Applied Economics & Management
Where I Create Value Next
I am selectively exploring board, advisory, and senior operating roles where commercial growth, customer data, and AI transformation drive the agenda.
My signature is building the marketing and commercial operating system: the data architecture, CRM and CDP infrastructure, operating model, and measurement framework that turn strategy into measurable, repeatable growth. I bring boards and CEOs the lens most leadership tables lack, connecting data, digital, and AI directly to P&L and EBITDA, with the discipline to execute and prove the return.
Who I Help
Open To
Corporate board & advisory seats · CMO / CCO / GM & operating-partner mandates · Growth & transformation advisory
Strengths Boards Value
Technology & digital risk · Marketing & customer strategy · AI governance & enablement
Selected Work
Where the Numbers Come From
Two transformations that turned strategy into measurable, durable growth.
1/ST Technology
Chief Marketing Officer · 2020-2024
67% revenue growth · 22% EBITDA CAGR · 56% lower CAC · 73% LTV/CAC improvement
The Challenge
A racing, wagering, and entertainment business needed to modernize its commercial engine and prove the return on marketing to the board.
What I Did
Built a cloud customer data platform, rebuilt go-to-market around unit economics, launched a new wagering app, and instituted ROI forecasting to earn investment.
The Result
Drove 67% revenue growth while cutting costs 2.7%, a 22% EBITDA CAGR over four years. Reduced customer acquisition cost 56% and lifted LTV/CAC 73%. The new wagering app delivered $60M in handle and $4M in net gaming revenue within 10 months, and board-approved budget grew from $8M to $15M on forecasted ROI.
Las Vegas Sands / The Venetian
VP Digital Marketing & eCommerce, then VP Corporate IT · 2014-2020
$36M direct revenue from a $13M investment · 24 consecutive months of growth · 50% ROAS lift
The Challenge
A Fortune 500 resort of roughly $13B in revenue faced a five-year decline in direct-channel bookings.
What I Did
Led a $13M investment in a new website and booking engine, built a 360-degree customer data platform, and was then recruited internally to run global cloud governance.
The Result
Generated $36M in incremental direct revenue from the $13M investment, reversed the trend with 24 consecutive months of growth and a 50% lift in ROAS, and improved CRM conversion 18%. Earned the rare crossover from marketing into enterprise technology leadership across the U.S., Singapore, and China.
Career
Experience
Strategic Marketing Advisor
Boutique consulting practice specializing in strategic consulting, marketing, digital transformation, and AI enablement.
- ●Launched a DTC healthcare venture in 8 weeks, scaling it from $0 to $500K gross revenue in 5 months at 68% gross margin, with bootstrapped, automated end-to-end operations
- ●Advise executives on marketing strategy, customer acquisition, retention, CRM, and AI enablement
- ●Lead agency selection (RFP, SOW, evaluation) and operating-model redesign to improve accountability and performance
- ●Architect customer journey, CRM, and AI-driven workflow systems
Chief Commercial Officer
Global B2B and B2C gaming platform offering payments, tournament registration, and customer engagement tools.
- ●Built the multi-year operating P&L and long-term org structure, and led end-to-end hiring across sales, product, revenue operations, finance, and customer success
- ●Drove go-to-market, product marketing, and launch for online tournament registration and payments, a multi-property bankroll solution, and a paid subscription service (14% increase in registered players)
- ●Implemented cross-functional management tools and CRM-driven workflows (18% increase in B2B customers in 9 months)
- ●Stood up stage-based governance and KPI reporting to improve forecast visibility and accountability
Chief Marketing Officer
Horse racing's largest racing and gaming technology company (AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, PariMAX), supporting venues including Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and the Preakness Stakes.
- ●Led marketing for all B2B and B2C brands across a $1.5B-revenue business, restructuring and scaling the team
- ●Built the cloud customer data platform and a predictive customer-valuation model powering attribution, segmentation, and reinvestment governance (full results in Selected Work above)
- ●Led growth and reinvestment strategy for XB SELECT, the VIP wagering service, across high-value player acquisition and retention
- ●Directed creative, content, and performance agency RFPs, SOW design, and KPI/QBR governance
Las Vegas Sands
Fortune 500 · NYSE: LVS · ~$13B Revenue
Recruited and promoted through 3 roles over 6 years, from digital marketing leadership into the executive ranks.
Vice President, Corporate Information Technology
- ●Recruited from VP of Digital Marketing into Corporate IT on the strength of capital-project delivery, measured ROI, and global MarTech leadership
- ●Designed and led a global cloud governance program across the U.S., Singapore, and China
- ●Led global product and engineering teams to deliver casino technology, including digitalization of the global casino comp process and location-based offer capabilities
- ●Set capital-project, ROI, and delivery governance standards for property marketing-technology teams worldwide
Vice President, Digital Marketing & eCommerce
- ●Owned a $25M+ budget with a mandate to grow direct-channel revenue and EBITDA for the flagship resort (results in Selected Work above)
- ●Architected the MarTech platform and customer data platform for a 360-degree customer view and personalization across hotel and casino
- ●Led the design of a price-elasticity model to optimize pricing and offers and maximize RevPAR against local competition
- ●Led digital execution for The Venetian brand relaunch and the Grazie loyalty rebrand, serving on both brand steering committees
Director → Executive Director, Digital Marketing & eCommerce
- ●Built internal product and development teams, reducing reliance on external agencies
- ●Led acquisition across all paid digital channels against clear revenue and cost-per-acquisition targets
- ●Directed the 2015 website and booking-engine redesign, earning a Gold HSMAI Adrian Award for Brand Site Improvements
- ●Defined the next-generation guest digital experience across web, mobile, email, social, SEM, and SEO
Director of Marketing
The first licensed online gaming marketing-services provider, holding affiliate licenses in Nevada and New Jersey.
- ●Managed a site migration and the convergence of three brands while growing traffic 30%
- ●Grew the customer database 52% through event, acquisition, and product-led marketing
- ●Built SEO strategy to top-three positioning for 150+ key terms
- ●Directed all online and offline marketing: brand advertising, events, PR, affiliate, SEM, SEO, social, and email
eCommerce Marketing Manager, North America
European luxury group, including the Folli Follie and Links of London brands, with 800+ points of sale worldwide.
- ●Launched the U.S. eCommerce site and grew revenue 248% year over year (FolliFollie.com)
- ●Increased LinksofLondon.com sales 67%, traffic 44%, and site conversion 68% on a $2M budget
- ●Ran all eCommerce operations and marketing: merchandising, fulfillment, customer service, SEM, SEO, social, email, and remarketing
- ●Built global digital-commerce applications leveraging mobile, loyalty, and gamification
Marketing Producer, Yankees.com
The digital and technology arm of Major League Baseball, operating MLB.com and club sites including Yankees.com.
- ●Producer for Yankees.com: grew traffic 25% year over year for four straight years, memberships 60%, and Yankees Magazine subscriptions 1000%
- ●Managed email to 1M+ fans and mobile and social communications to 7M+ fans
- ●Produced client sponsorship programs for brands including AT&T, Chevy, Delta, Ford, MetLife, and Sony
- ●Drove awareness, traffic, and sales growth through SEM, SEO, and strategic partnerships
Peer Perspectives
What Leaders Say
Selected from LinkedIn recommendations by C-suite executives, technology and data leaders, investors, and direct colleagues.
Zack brought real operating discipline to the CMO role. By linking investment directly to customer behavior and unit economics, he turned marketing into a predictable commercial engine. Low ego and high standards. He's an invaluable business partner. I recommend him without hesitation for a corporate CMO role where growth and innovation are the mandate, and unit economics are the measure.
Michael Jordan
CIO | CTO | Digital COO
Worked together at 1/ST Technology
An amazingly rare blend of deep marketing knowledge, strong technical proficiency, and proven leadership skills that puts him on the bleeding edge of his craft. He translates that combination into powerful, meaningful business solutions and drives innovation in his team like I've never seen. He truly is an A+ talent.
David Kahn
Key Account Director · Google Cloud
Partnered during the Las Vegas Sands era
Zach possesses extensive knowledge and experience in digital marketing and eCommerce that make him a great leader. He is respected and well-regarded by his peers, dedicated and continuously looking for solutions to improve the business — one of the few willing to collaborate across teams to maximize results.
Kevin U, Ph.D.
SVP & CIO, Enterprise Data & AI · Fidelity
Collaborated at Las Vegas Sands
He built a great team at 1/ST and allowed us to move our revenue and profits considerably over the last 4 years. I would recommend Zach to anyone in need of acquisition and retention marketing, and anyone who needs a creative marketing approach to existing business challenges.
Paul Williams
Global CIO | CTO | Digital CEO
Direct manager at 1/ST Technology
Whatever Zack gets his focus on will win. His unique combination of right-brained creative thinking and deep understanding of existing and emerging technology allowed him to lead end to end programs from flawless brand strategy to best-in-class data-driven performance marketing.
Tony Orelli
Investor & Advisor
5-year working relationship
Zack is one of the very rare leaders who can lead both business and IT as a whole. He showed strong business sense in understanding current business details, and also shared ideas for potential business improvement and innovations. Work with Smart People.
Sharon Cao
Enterprise Architect, Standard Chartered Bank
Global collaboration at Las Vegas Sands
Insights
Writing & Perspectives
The Org Chart Is Being Rewritten. Is Your Company Ready?
AI Is Already in Your Company. Is It Creating Enterprise Value? Is It Secure?
Awesome in Action
Digital Transformation in the Age of the Customer
The GEO Frontier
Rewiring the C-Suite
The 2026 AI Marketing Playbook
Recognition
HSMAI Adrian Awards
Global hospitality & travel marketing excellence · 2015
- Gold · Brand Site Improvements
- Silver · Ultimo Campaign
- Bronze · Breakfast Offer Campaign
- Bronze · The Palazzo Suite Campaign, "Every Key Unlocks A Suite"
Certifications
Google Analytics Individual Qualification · Google Analytics Platform Principles
FAQ
Common Questions
Questions executives, boards, and search partners typically ask.
What industries does Zachary Leifer specialize in?
Zachary Leifer specializes in integrated resorts and gaming, hospitality, sports wagering and horse racing, iGaming, eCommerce, luxury retail, and sports media. He has held CMO and VP roles at Las Vegas Sands, 1/ST Technology, PokerAtlas, and MLB Advanced Media, spanning Fortune 500 enterprise and high-growth platforms.
What results did Zachary Leifer achieve at 1/ST Technology?
As CMO at 1/ST Technology from 2020 to 2024, Zachary Leifer drove 67% revenue growth and a 22% EBITDA CAGR, reduced customer acquisition cost by 56%, and improved LTV/CAC by 73%. A wagering app he launched generated $60M in handle and $4M in net gaming revenue within 10 months.
Is Zachary Leifer available for board or advisory roles?
Yes. Zachary Leifer is actively open to board director, advisory, and senior operating roles. He brings particular value in growth strategy, AI enablement, marketing operating models, and digital transformation, with credentialed experience across Fortune 500 hospitality, gaming technology, and consumer platforms.
What is Zachary Leifer's approach to AI and digital transformation?
Zachary Leifer treats AI as a commercial operating tool, not a technology project. His focus is building data infrastructure, CDP architecture, and measurement systems that make AI actionable for revenue growth and customer retention. His Harvard Business School AMP capstone focused on enterprise value from data and AI.
What is Zachary Leifer's background in gaming and hospitality?
Zachary Leifer spent six years at Las Vegas Sands/The Venetian as VP Digital Marketing and VP Corporate IT, generating $36M in direct revenue from a $13M investment. He also served as CMO at 1/ST Technology (horse racing and wagering) and CCO at PokerAtlas, a global gaming platform.
What marketing technology and CDP experience does Zachary Leifer have?
Zachary Leifer has built two enterprise customer data platforms from the ground up — at Las Vegas Sands/The Venetian and at 1/ST Technology — delivering predictive customer-valuation models, personalization, and attribution. His CDP work at 1/ST reduced CAC by 56% and improved LTV/CAC by 73%.
What is Zachary Leifer's educational background?
Zachary Leifer completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2026, with a capstone focused on enterprise value from data, digital transformation, and AI. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University.
What makes Zachary Leifer a differentiated CMO and commercial executive in Las Vegas?
Zachary Leifer combines marketing and enterprise technology leadership in a way that is rare in any market. At The Venetian Resort, he generated $36M in direct revenue from a $13M investment. As CMO at 1/ST Technology, he drove 67% revenue growth and a 22% EBITDA CAGR. He is among a small group of Las Vegas executives who have held both CMO and enterprise IT leadership roles — credentialed by Harvard Business School and recognized with multiple HSMAI Adrian Awards.
What makes Zachary Leifer one of Las Vegas's leading AI and digital transformation executives?
Zachary Leifer has led two enterprise AI and data transformations in Las Vegas — building the customer data platform and MarTech architecture at Las Vegas Sands/The Venetian, then building a cloud CDP and predictive customer-valuation model at 1/ST Technology that reduced CAC by 56%. He was then recruited from CMO into VP Corporate IT at Las Vegas Sands to lead global cloud governance across Las Vegas, Singapore, and China — one of the few executives in the market with that full commercial and technology range.
Is Zachary Leifer available as a fractional CMO or marketing consultant in Las Vegas?
Yes. Through State of Mind Strategies, Zachary Leifer takes selective advisory and consulting engagements for executives and organizations in Las Vegas and nationally. He advises on marketing strategy, go-to-market, CRM and CDP architecture, AI enablement, and operating model design. He has launched a DTC venture from $0 to $500K in five months as a consulting client, demonstrating hands-on execution alongside strategic advisory.
What were Zachary Leifer's roles at Las Vegas Sands and The Venetian Resort?
Zachary Leifer spent six years at Las Vegas Sands across three roles. He joined The Venetian Resort as Director of Digital Marketing & eCommerce in 2014, was promoted to VP Digital Marketing & eCommerce in 2017, then was recruited by Las Vegas Sands Corp. into VP Corporate IT in 2019 — overseeing global cloud governance across Las Vegas, Singapore, and China. The Venetian is a ~$4B revenue property; Sands Corp. was a Fortune 500 company with ~$13B in revenue.
What is Zachary Leifer's reputation among Las Vegas executives and business partners?
Colleagues describe Zachary Leifer as one of the rare executives who can lead both business and technology — a characterization echoed by leaders at Google Cloud, Fidelity Investments, Las Vegas Sands, and 1/ST Technology. He is known for operating discipline, data-driven rigor, and the ability to translate AI and digital strategy into revenue outcomes. His LinkedIn recommendations span 19 senior leaders across Fortune 500, technology, luxury retail, and gaming.