Vlad Sopov, marketing technology leader and author of Take the Wheel: How to Influence Anyone and Be the Leader People Want to Follow

Leadership & Execution

I’m Vlad Sopov, Manager of Marketing Technology at North, where I lead teams and systems that support large, cross-functional marketing initiatives. My work focuses on turning complex strategies into clear execution, ensuring technology enables progress rather than slowing it down.

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Selected Leadership Wins

Proven execution across structure, quality, scale, and speed.

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What Leaders Say

Feedback from senior marketing and cross-functional leaders.

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Kiri Wolfe
Kiri Wolfe SVP of Marketing
“Vlad consistently demonstrates leadership and partnership in complex environments. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and grateful for the clarity and execution he brings.”
Jonathan Manna
Jonathan Manna Marketing Director
“The speed and collaboration Vlad brings to complex projects is exceptional. His leadership during execution set the tone for a successful launch.”
Becky Sarwate
Becky Sarwate Sr. Marketing, PR & Communications Leader
“Vlad championed delivery of a critical initiative under a tight deadline. Without his leadership, we would have missed it. He brings structure, follow-through, and a clear execution mindset.”
Sean McCarthy
Sean McCarthy Art Director
“Vlad led execution on a large, high-visibility project with a tight turnaround. His ability to move fast while keeping teams aligned made a real difference.”
D.R. Hamilton
D.R. Hamilton Senior Developer
“Vlad combines strong technical judgment with a focus on outcomes. He consistently delivers while helping others grow.”

Insights

Thinking in progress on leadership, execution, and decision-making.

Meet Carbon: The Cat Behind the “Don’t Be Like Carbon” LinkedIn Series

Carbon is my cat. She naps through deadlines, delegates without accountability, and has promoted herself to Senior Director of the Couch without a single performance review. The Carbon Series: Leadership Lessons by Ownership Level Every Carbon post teaches one of four levels of ownership. Learn the full framework. She is also the most…

How to Influence People Without Manipulation: The Skills That Actually Work

Most people think influence is about being persuasive. It's not. It's about being trustworthy, and that's a much harder thing to fake. Most of us have met someone who thinks they're influential. They dominate every conversation. They push their opinion until people stop pushing back. They mistake exhausting others into agreement…

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Take the Wheel by Vlad Sopov shown in print and audiobook editions

Thought
Leadership

I write and speak about leadership where responsibility is high, authority is limited, and complexity is the norm. My focus is on how teams actually execute, how decisions are made, work is prioritized, and outcomes are delivered when conditions are far from ideal.

Take the Wheel cover displayed in a three-dimensional book mockup

Core
Principles

  • Clarity precedes speed
  • Alignment beats authority
  • Structure scales better than effort
  • Translate complexity into decisions

These ideas are explored further in Take the Wheel, a 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist and practical leadership framework for managers navigating complex, high-pressure environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Vlad Sopov?

Vlad Sopov is a marketing technology leader and the author of Take the Wheel: How to Influence Anyone and Be the Leader People Want to Follow. He builds the teams and systems behind large, cross-functional marketing initiatives, and writes and speaks about leadership, influence, and ownership mindset.

What does Vlad Sopov do?

Vlad Sopov leads marketing technology: the people, processes, and systems that turn complex marketing strategy into working execution. He specializes in creating clarity and structure inside complicated organizations, so teams deliver measurable outcomes without adding headcount.

What is Vlad Sopov known for?

Vlad Sopov is known for turning organizational complexity into execution. His track record includes clearing an 1,800 task backlog without adding headcount, cutting an error rate from 26% to 1.2%, and building an overseas team that reduced costs by 80%. He is also the author of Take the Wheel.

What is the book Take the Wheel about?

Take the Wheel is Vlad Sopov's practical guide to leading when responsibility is high but authority is limited. It teaches how to influence decisions and drive execution through ownership rather than title. The book was named a Finalist in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Business category.

How can I contact Vlad Sopov?

You can reach Vlad Sopov by email at vlad@sopov.com or connect on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/vladsopov. He is open to conversations about marketing technology leadership, speaking, and his book Take the Wheel.