Stefaan Vervaet
About Stefaan Vervaet
Stefaan Vervaet serves as the Head of Network Growth at Protocol Labs, focusing on ecosystem development for storage providers and Web2 since 2021. He has a strong background in marketing and product management, having played key roles in several successful startups and held various positions at Western Digital and VERITAS Software.
Work at Protocol Labs
Stefaan Vervaet currently serves as the Head of Network Growth at Protocol Labs, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he leads initiatives aimed at expanding the ecosystem for storage providers and Web2 integration. His contributions have been pivotal in enhancing the company's outreach and engagement strategies within the decentralized storage landscape. Prior to this, he worked as Ecosystem Lead for Storage Providers & Web2 at Protocol Labs starting in 2021, where he focused on fostering partnerships and driving growth in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Experience at Western Digital
Stefaan Vervaet has extensive experience at Western Digital, where he held multiple senior positions. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Sr. Director of Marketing & Product Management for Smart Video, contributing to a significant increase in margin dollars in the video security market. He also held the position of Sr. Director of Solutions & Product Marketing & Strategic Alliances from 2016 to 2019, where he was instrumental in launching major product lines. His tenure at Western Digital included leadership roles that focused on strategic alliances and product marketing.
Previous Roles and Startups
Before his time at Western Digital, Stefaan Vervaet worked at VERITAS Software in various technical product management roles from 2005 to 2009. He also spent five years at AmpliData as Director of Sales Engineering & Operations. Notably, he played a critical role in two early-stage startups that were successfully acquired by Symantec/Veritas and Western Digital, showcasing his ability to drive growth and innovation in emerging technologies.
Education and Expertise
Stefaan Vervaet earned a Master's degree in Applied Information Technology from Ghent University, where he studied from 1998 to 2002. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in product management, marketing strategies, and technology solutions. His academic achievements complement his extensive professional experience in the tech industry, particularly in storage solutions and video security.
Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
At Western Digital, Stefaan Vervaet led the diversity and inclusion efforts as the leader of the LGBTQ+ business resource group. He was actively involved in raising funds for the Trevor Project through a unique campaign, demonstrating his commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. His leadership in this area reflects his dedication to social responsibility and community engagement within corporate settings.