About

Always building.

Story

I’ve spent 17 years building, leading, and scaling revenue.

I co-founded Circa Interactive and grew it from $0 to $10M in ARR without outside capital before exiting in 2020. At Archer Education, I led university partnerships and served as an executive and board observer. Today, I lead partnerships and new revenue at Ziplines Education while advising founders and revenue teams through Cabrillo Growth Studio and helping companies put AI to work.

Across those roles, I’ve helped build revenue engines that have generated more than $100M.

I’ve seen what it takes to create demand, build relationships, close complex deals, and turn growth into something repeatable.

How I show up

I’m a former college swimmer, and the work ethic stuck.

Swimming taught me to trust the work nobody sees: show up, put in the reps, and keep going when progress is hard to measure. I’ve carried that mindset into how I build businesses and relationships: stay curious, do the work, and play the long game.

I listen closely. I’m direct, fair, and comfortable challenging people when it matters. I’ll push a team and hold it accountable, but I don’t believe you need to be a jerk to get great work out of people.

I’m organized, thoughtful, and intentional about being useful. I try to leave every conversation, relationship, and project better than I found it.

Outside of work

I’m a husband and a dad to three boys. We live on the coast in Ponte Vedra Beach, and I’m in the ocean as often as I can be.

Most of my time outside of work is spent with my family, usually chasing my boards around the beach or golf course.

Clayton Dean with his wife and three sons on the beach

Experience

Full time

  • CurrentZiplines EducationVP, Partnerships + Growth
  • PreviousArcher EducationEVP, University Partnerships + Board Observer
  • PreviousCirca InteractiveCo-founder and CRO, acquired 2020

Consulting practice

  • Cabrillo Growth StudioFounder, advisory
  • Firstlight VenturesAI Consultant

Let’s see if we’re a fit.

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