Adam Esposito is a seasoned Salesforce Marketing Cloud expert and digital transformation leader with over a decade of experience helping organizations strengthen customer engagement through data-driven strategies. As Senior Solutions Architect Manager for higher education at Offprem Technology, Adam leads a team of architects designing and implementing Salesforce Marketing Cloud solutions for colleges and universities nationwide. His work aligns technology with institutional goals, improves communication journeys, and empowers clients to use automation strategically. Adam’s career path has spanned technical execution and strategic leadership, with prior roles at Hileman Group, Precision Dialogue, American Greetings, and Arhaus Furniture. Across each role, he has delivered measurable outcomes through a balance of platform expertise, solution-focused thinking, and team mentorship.
Holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Cleveland State University, Adam also maintains multiple Salesforce certifications, including Marketing Cloud Consultant, Administrator, and Email Specialist. Beyond his professional achievements, Adam is passionate about professional development. He mentors aspiring martech professionals and encourages continuous learning within the fast-evolving Salesforce ecosystem. Known for his collaborative mindset, problem-solving skills, and ability to move organizations from complexity to clarity, Adam uses technology as a bridge to create more intelligent, more human engagement.
What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
I originally gravitated toward marketing because I loved connecting people with messages that mattered. Early in my career, I saw how technology could transform that connection into something more personalized and measurable. At American Greetings, I worked on campaigns that showed me the power of automation and data, and from there, I was hooked. I realized this was not just about sending emails, it was about shaping meaningful journeys. Moving into Salesforce Marketing Cloud was a natural progression, and now, in higher education, I feel a real purpose in helping institutions strengthen student engagement.
Tell us 3 surprisingly easy and 3 surprisingly difficult things about your business.
Three surprisingly easy things: once a team understands Marketing Cloud’s basics, they can automate communications quickly. Aligning campaigns with institutional goals often feels natural because education has clear milestones. Small changes in segmentation can also deliver big wins. On the difficult side, data integration is almost always more complex than expected, especially across multiple systems. Change management can also be tough, because convincing people to adopt new ways of working takes patience. Finally, measuring the human impact of technology, such as student connection or trust, is hard because success goes beyond dashboards and reports.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
What I like best is seeing measurable outcomes first. That is powerful when a university boosts enrollment or retention because of better communication. Second is the variety, since every client brings new challenges and I am constantly learning. No two projects look alike. Third is the collaborative aspect. I work with teams passionate about student success, and helping them bridge the gap between technology and strategy is fulfilling. These three keep me motivated: the results show impact, the variety keeps the work fresh, and the collaboration ensures the work supports real people.
What are your greatest 3 skills, and how have they helped you succeed?
My most outstanding skills are solution-focused thinking. I have always been able to cut through complexity and design practical paths forward, which is critical when clients face overwhelming systems. Second is mentorship. I invest in my team; seeing them grow has been as rewarding as any project outcome. Third is platform expertise. Years of hands-on Salesforce experience let me spot opportunities others might miss. These skills have helped me succeed by balancing technical precision with leadership and empathy. I do not just deliver solutions, I help people feel confident using them, which creates lasting change.
Tell us about a time you were dead wrong about something.
Early in my consulting career, I once pushed too hard for a fully automated solution because I was convinced it was the correct answer. The client, however, was not ready culturally or operationally to manage that level of automation. I was wrong in thinking the best technical solution was automatically the best overall. That experience humbled me and taught me that context matters just as much as capability. Since then, I always ask whether a solution is sustainable for the team today. That lesson shifted my approach toward aligning solutions with organizational readiness and culture.
What is the biggest challenge you face each day, and how do you handle it? How do you get yourself out of a funk? Please share the details.
The biggest daily challenge is balancing strategy with execution. Getting buried in technical detail is easy, but my role requires stepping back and keeping the bigger picture in view. When I find myself stuck or in a funk, I reset by reconnecting with outcomes and reminding myself why the work matters. Sometimes that means talking through a challenge with my team, and other times it means stepping away briefly to recharge. Exercise and journaling also help. I have learned that moving from frustration to curiosity is the key to making problems feel solvable again.
What is a habit you try to stick to and how has it helped you?
A habit I stick to is structured learning every week. The Salesforce ecosystem moves quickly, so I dedicate time to exploring new features, reading case studies, or testing functionality in a sandbox. It is not about cramming certifications but about steady curiosity. This habit has helped me stay ahead of changes and keep solutions innovative. It also sets an example for my team by showing that continuous learning is necessary. Over time, that consistency compounds, giving me confidence to tackle new challenges without feeling like I always try to catch up.
What achievement are you the proudest of and why?
I am most proud of leading higher education institutions through digital transformations that directly impacted student success. One project stands out: helping a university completely reimagine its enrollment communications. Applications increased, but more importantly, students felt guided rather than bombarded. Hearing feedback from admissions staff who said this makes their jobs easier and students feel cared for meant a lot. I take pride in the technical solution and creating clarity out of complexity. That project represented the best of my work, combining technical expertise, strategy, and empathy to make technology serve people.
What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. Even though it is often associated with entrepreneurs, its principles apply to any organization trying to innovate. Building, measuring, and learning resonates with my work because marketing technology is never a set it and forget it process. You test, refine, and adapt continuously. The book also emphasizes validating ideas with real users before scaling, which parallels how I approach solutions for clients. It taught me that progress comes from iteration and that failure, when learned from quickly, can be one of the best teachers.
If you could go back 2 years and give yourself advice, what would it be?
If I could go back two years, I would tell myself to focus more on balance. During that time, I was laser-focused on growth, building my team, delivering big projects, and pursuing certifications. While the outcomes were strong, I did not always prioritize rest or personal space. My advice would be that sustainable success requires balance. You cannot pour into your team and clients if your tank is empty. I have since learned to pace myself, making me a stronger leader. Consistency over time is better than sprinting from one achievement to the next.
Just for fun, what is your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite ice cream flavor is cookies and cream. It is the perfect mix of texture and taste, with the crunch of cookie pieces and smooth vanilla creaminess. To me, it is nostalgic. It was always the flavor I reached for growing up, and it stuck. Even now, when I try new and fancier flavors, I usually return to cookies and cream because it is simple, reliable, and makes me smile. It reminds me that sometimes the classics are classic for a reason. Those little comforts go a long way in keeping life balanced.