If you’ve been on a CYPHER Learning demo, there’s a good chance you’ve met Alexia Sanchez. You probably walked away thinking, “Whoa, that was amazing.” After nearly 7 years at CYPHER, Alexia has helped shape how we show up to customers, how we prove value, and how we bring learning to life in real time. Now promoted to Global Director of Sales Engineering, we sat down with Alexia to ask her about what drives her, what she’s building, and what keeps her inspired.
Question
You’ve been at CYPHER for nearly 7 years. What’s kept you here, and what’s changed the most since you started?
Answer
What’s kept me at CYPHER is that I’ve always felt like I’m building something meaningful, not just supporting a product and being part of the evolution in the industry. But it goes beyond that. I found a place where leadership is about more than titles, where leaders here lead by example. They’ve coached me, empowered me, and encouraged me to grow into roles I never imagined when I started.
I also remember coming in and feeling right away that this was a safe space, somewhere where I could share ideas, learn from others, and count on true collaboration and support. That kind of environment is rare to find, and it’s shaped not just how I work, but who I’ve become as a leader.
What’s changed the most is how much we’ve matured as a company. When I started, we were still figuring out how to tell our story. Now, we’re clear on our value, our voice, and how to meet the needs of clients across the world. I’ve loved being part of that evolution and helping connect the technical “how” to the human “why.”
Question
You just stepped into the role of Global Director of Sales Engineering. What does that actually mean, day-to-day?
Answer
Stepping into this role means I now have the opportunity to lead the incredible Solutions Engineering team at a global scale, but especially, it means I get to help transfer our passion for the product and the vision behind it to prospective clients. It’s about showing them how CYPHER can bring their vision to life, not just ours.
Day-to-day, I work closely with my team to strategize how we present solutions in a way that truly resonates, figuring out the best approach to each opportunity, ensuring we’re tracking progress on deals and delivering an experience that’s thoughtful, responsive, and human. I also spend a lot of time responding to RFPs and RFIs, and making sure we’re gathering the right input from across the team to craft stories that not only meet requirements but inspire confidence.
Question
You’ve been described as someone who “sells without selling.” What’s your secret to delivering demos that actually connect?
Answer
I think the key is to be authentic and to share the passion for the product. My goal is to become a trusted advisor, someone the client feels they can be honest with, and someone who’s genuinely invested in understanding their challenges.
For me, it’s about listening, it's not just hearing to respond, but really listening. Asking questions to understand the real problem behind the request. Most pain points have more depth than what customers initially share.
The most powerful moments in a demo usually happen when the client feels seen, not sold to. That’s the difference.
Question
What’s one project or moment at CYPHER that you’re especially proud of—and why?
Answer
One of the things I’m most proud of is being able to say I’ve supported the entire customer journey, from selling and solutioning to training, implementation, and ongoing growth. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a client I’ve worked with become a champion for the platform, just as we’ve seen with Cengage-Milady, who shares how CYPHER has transformed their organization and empowered their people.
I’ve also had moments where the shift is clear: where a conversation starts with “we’re not shopping, we’re just seeing what’s out there,” and ends with “let’s move forward.” That was the case with U-Haul, and it reminded me that what we do isn’t about pushing software. It’s about helping someone unlock a vision.
Selling an LMS is never just about the platform. Behind every decision is an employee who wants to grow, a learning leader who wants to inspire, and a company that’s trying to adapt and thrive. Being part of that journey is something I’ll never take for granted.
Question
Outside of work, what’s something people might not know about you that shapes how you lead or work?
Answer
Something people might not know about me is that before working in tech, I had a genuine passion for teaching, especially working with students whom others found “challenging,” or teaching subjects like math that many students avoided. I loved making the hard stuff feel possible and helping people see they could succeed even when they thought they couldn’t.
That experience still shapes how I lead. I care deeply about meeting people where they are, simplifying complexity, and helping others grow with confidence and support. I bring that same energy to my team and to our clients every day.
On a personal level, I want to be a role model for my son and my former students. I want them to see that it’s possible to love what you do, to pursue work that matters, and to build a career on purpose and passion. Everything can be reached with the right mindset.
From rethinking proof-of-concept experiences to mentoring new team members, Alexia’s work continues to raise the bar both internally and externally. She leads with clarity, heart, and the kind of calm confidence that turns complex into simple. We're so lucky to have her guiding our global team, and even luckier to call her one of our own.
