Don Foster

Chief Technology Officer, GTM at NetApp

Dallas, Texas, United States

About Don Foster

Don Foster is Chief Technology Officer, GTM at NetApp. Location: Dallas, Texas, United States.

As Chief Technology Officer for NetApp's Go-To-Market organization, I help connect innovation, strategy, and execution to accelerate business outcomes for customers around the world. Working across product, engineering, sales, and executive leadership, I focus on turning emerging technologies into differentiated solutions, stronger customer value, and measurable business growth. For more than two decades, I've worked at the intersection of data infrastructure, cyber resilience, cloud, AI, and enterprise transformation. My focus has always been the same: helping organizations unlock the full value of their data while ensuring technology investments drive measurable business impact. Throughout my career, I've built and led global organizations spanning sales engineering, product strategy, customer success, technical evangelism, and executive leadership. Today, I work across NetApp's product, engineering, field, and executive teams to influence strategy, accelerate innovation, and strengthen the connection between what customers need and what we deliver. I am passionate about translating complex technology into clear business value. Whether engaging with engineers, architects, business leaders, or boards of directors, I believe great technology only matters when people can understand it, trust it, and successfully apply it. Prior to NetApp, I served as Chief Customer Officer at Panzura and held multiple executive leadership positions at Commvault, including Global Vice President of Sales Engineering, Global Vice President of Productivity & Evangelism, and Vice President of Storage Solutions. Raised on a farm in rural Illinois, I learned early that hard work, accountability, and curiosity are powerful competitive advantages. Those principles continue to shape my approach to leadership, innovation, and helping organizations navigate change. I remain deeply passionate about the future of data, AI, cyber resilience, and building high-performing teams that turn technology into business outcomes.

Skills

  • Go-to-Market Strategy
  • Customer Engagement
  • Sales Engineering

Additional experience

  • VP of Specialist, Engineering, and GTM Solutions

    NetApp

    March 2025 – July 2025

Education

  • Professional Certificate Program in Innovation & Technology, MIT Professional Education
  • n/a, Northwestern University