“Transforming Potential Into Performance Through Leadership, Vision, and Action.”

Canby Dautel is a dynamic and proven technology sales and business development executive with over 40 years of experience leading early-stage and growth-focused software, innovative networking and telecommunications companies through their most critical growth phases. With a deep foundation and expertise in SaaS, cloud computing, networking and enterprise solutions, Canby has consistently delivered impressive results, driving revenue, building strategic partnerships, and elevating organizations to market leadership and successful exits.

From launching high-impact go-to-market strategies to building partner ecosystems with VAR’s, OEM’s and Tier 1 service providersCanby’s career has been characterized by transformative leadership and a passion for scaling innovation. His experience spans both pre- and post-IPO environments, with a reputation for turning vision into execution and aligning cross-functional teams around ambitious growth goals.

At Cisco, Canby led the Channel Partner Sales organization for the Collaboration Business Unit, orchestrating a $200M+ recurring revenue stream by aligning Cisco’s cloud-based Webex solutions with Fortune 500 service providers including Verizon, AT&T, and Bell Canada. His leadership directly contributed to over $350M in annual sales, with multiple team members recognized for top performance. Canby was honored with Cisco’s Manager’s Excellence Award in back-to-back fiscal years for his exceptional leadership.

Prior to Cisco, Canby was Vice President of Sales at Qwilt, an early-stage video caching and content delivery firm. Under his leadership, the company grew from $1M to $19M in recurring revenue in just three years. He forged key relationships with Verizon, Cox Communications, and other major carriers, while also establishing international partnerships and strategic OEM arrangements. His success at Qwilt highlighted his ability to scale innovative solutions from concept to mainstream adoption.

Canby’s earlier role at Acme Packet (later acquired by Oracle) further cemented his legacy in the telecommunications space. As Vice President of Sales and one of the original employees, he built the North American Tier 1 sales organization from the ground up, directing the company’s strategy and driving adoption with the largest strategic accounts, including Verizon and AT&T. His efforts helped grow revenue from $1M to over $260M over six years and played a key role in 15 consecutive quarters of revenue and margin attainment.

Throughout his career, Canby has maintained a strong technical foundation in IP networks, VOIP, unified communications, and complex software environments. He is known for his ability to lead teams through technology transitions—from on-premise to cloud, from perpetual licensing to recurring revenue models—with a clear focus on customer success and business agility.

Canby has also served in senior roles at SchlumbergerSema, Nuance Communications (Voice Control Systems), and Nortel Networks, where he continued to refine his strategic and sales acumen. His early background in voice recognition and pre-paid solutions provided a global perspective, with deployments and business development efforts spanning North America, Europe, India, and Argentina.

In addition to holding a U.S. patent and being a frequent speaker at industry forums, Canby brings a spirit of mentorship and coaching to his work, consistently developing high-performing teams and fostering future leaders. He currently consults with SaaS and tech startups on growth strategy, partner development, and market expansion through his firm, Dautel Consulting.

A lifelong learner and sports enthusiast, Canby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Business Management from Curry College. He combines competitive drive with a collaborative mindset and a belief in building lasting relationships that deliver mutual success.

Canby is now actively seeking board service and board advisory opportunities where he can lend his strategic insight, sales expertise, and growth mindset to forward-thinking technology companies—especially startups and mid-market firms poised for rapid scale. He is particularly interested in contributing to organizations at the intersection of cloud, SaaS, and enterprise infrastructure.

Character:

Canby is a high-integrity, energetic leader who inspires confidence and action. He leads with transparency, empathy, and a deep commitment to team success.

Knowledge:

His extensive knowledge in telecommunications, SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and go-to-market strategy makes him a powerful asset to any board. He blends deep technical understanding with practical executional expertise.

Strategic:

Canby consistently turns vision into action, aligning sales, product, and partnerships to accelerate growth. He excels at identifying market inflection points and leveraging them for scalable success.

Communication:

A clear communicator and frequent speaker, Canby articulates strategy with confidence and clarity. His ability to bridge technical complexity and business needs sets him apart as a collaborative leader.