Grow with Us: Ben Leaverton reflects on eight years at Pinterest

Get to know Pinterest Enterprise Sales with Ben Leaverton, Sr. Industry Manager, Ecommerce. Ben discusses growing his career at Pinterest, his passion for ecommerce and what motivates him in his role.

Hi Ben! Thanks for joining us to share more about your life at Pinterest. What has your career path looked like in your time at the company? 

Of course! I joined Pinterest in late 2017, and over eight years I’ve held five different roles. I began as a Client Partner to learn the business and product, then moved into an Industry Manager role in early 2019. Since 2019, I’ve led four distinct teams across verticals spanning CPG, Retail and Ecommerce, helping shape our revenue strategy and supporting incredibly talented sellers. Most recently, I helped launch our Direct to Consumer (DTC) Ecommerce team in 2025. With each role, I’ve gained exposure to new industries, products and people, which has broadened my perspective and pushed me to continually evolve my approach to leadership.

Where did your passion for ecommerce originate? 

When I was approaching high school, I got my first major exposure to ecommerce when I discovered eBay. I sold anything and everything I could. I loved the ease of transacting online and the community around it. My first job out of college was with a comparison shopping engine owned by eBay, which gave me firsthand exposure to the nuts and bolts of the industry. From there, I helped build out the sales teams at two early-stage startups that helped brands connect with popular consumer trends. Today, at Pinterest, I lead a part of our North American Direct to Consumer (DTC) Ecommerce team. We work with the world’s next big consumer brands, and I love seeing the new products they’re building, the brands that form around them, and the shoppers whose lives they impact.

What drew you to the job opportunity at Pinterest? 

I joined Pinterest because I saw it as one of the best places for advertisers who are looking for their next new customer. People come here to explore and shop, with a project or idea in mind but usually without a specific brand or product decided on. That moment of open-minded intent is incredibly powerful, and Pinterest is uniquely positioned to help people make that buying decision. Given my background in ecommerce and early-stage companies helping shoppers discover what to buy, I was excited by the chance to help brands show up at that moment, introduce themselves, and earn a new customer, all at significant scale.

How would you describe the sales team? 

Externally, the sales team at Pinterest is known for being highly consultative and strategic, and we hear that feedback directly from clients. It makes me really proud to see that reputation in the market. Internally, it’s a highly collaborative group made up of deep experts in their respective verticals. The team is low-ego by default and always wants to help each other learn, grow and win each day. Overall, it’s one of the smartest, most talented groups of sellers I’ve worked with, and as a leader here, I’m constantly inspired by how focused they are on helping Pinterest and our partners grow.

What motivates you and makes you want to continue building your career here? 

There are two main things that continue to motivate me here. First, we’re very focused on cementing Pinterest as a shopping destination that truly helps brands grow. Our partners are seeing that impact more clearly than ever, and it’s exciting to be part of a team that’s building new products and experiences to unlock even more of that potential. Second, everything we do is rooted in positive inspiration. As a father of two kids under seven, I think a lot about what they’re exposed to online versus what I want them exposed to as they get older. The internet has far too few positive outlets, and our intention to be the most positive place online makes me excited about the long-term impact we can have.

Ready to shape a unique career path at Pinterest? Discover openings on our Sales team here.