LEADERSHIP IN THE DEALERSHIP

ABOUT THE POD

Welcome to Leadership in the Dealership — an Upstart podcast where automotive innovation meets insightful conversations. We help dealers improve their customer and employee experience by tapping into the minds and experiences of the industry’s top leaders. We’ll also explore cutting-edge trends shaping the auto industry across digitization and customer experience, both online and in the showroom. Ready to meet your hosts and catch a sneak peek of what's to come? Check out the trailer. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Upstart. Any content provided by the hosts or guests is for informational purposes only and is based on their own experiences and perspectives.

About the Hosts

Danielle Mills Walden

Head of Ops for Auto

Danielle is a former pro tennis player turned brand expert, author, and keynote speaker. She’s spent a decade leading high-impact CS and Ops teams across 1,000+ dealerships, building the playbooks and systems that power growth and retention. Known for her clarity, energy, and people-first leadership, she helps teams and brands unlock their next level. She brings a unique blend of competitive grit and strategic focus to every room she walks into.

Phillip Greer

Manager, Dealer Success and Launch Operations

Phillip is a people-first post-sales leader with a decade of experience in Customer Success, training enablement, and operational growth. He’s supported 700+ rooftops, led 1,200+ trainings, and launched 65+ product deployments, all while strengthening workflows and empowering teams. Known for his calm clarity and operational rigor, he builds scalable programs, drives adoption and retention, and helps organizations perform at their best.