How RethinkFirst Builds High-Impact Sales Careers Through Leadership, Learning and Growth

Inside RethinkFirst’s Sales Strategy and Team Culture

As Vice President of Sales for RethinkBH, one of our core business lines at RethinkFirst, I own revenue growth and the strategy behind it. My role is all about building and scaling: designing our go-to-market plan, setting quotas and leading a team that spans new business, expansion, enterprise and partner channels. On any given day, I’m coaching leaders, analyzing performance and working cross-functionally to align sales with marketing, product and customer success. I also drive big initiatives like hiring top talent, refining processes and implementing tools that make our teams faster and smarter. 

At the end of the day, my job is simple: Create a structure that wins and a culture where people thrive.

How Matt Stevens Built His Career in Healthcare and Behavioral Health Tech

I began my career as the founder of a healthcare software company focused on helping seniors remain in their homes. In those early days, I wore every hat — product development, operations and sales — and as the company grew, I discovered a true passion for sales and go-to-market strategy. That venture was eventually acquired by a private equity-backed SaaS company, which became a major turning point for me. It gave me formal sales training and exposure to enterprise-level processes, and that’s where my sales career really accelerated. 

After that, I co-founded Alleva, a behavioral health SaaS platform designed to help providers deliver better care through technology. I came up with the original concept and helped build the company from the ground up. Once we started to scale, I led revenue, building the sales organization, defining our go-to-market motion and driving growth. Under our leadership, Alleva raised a $12 million Series A funding round and grew to millions in annual recurring revenue, serving behavioral health providers nationwide. Those experiences taught me how to take an idea from zero to scale, build high-performing teams and execute in complex markets. Each step reinforced my passion for growth strategy and leadership.

How Stevens’ Career Goals Evolved Toward Sales Leadership

My experience as a founder sparked my passion for sales and growth strategy, which completely shifted my career trajectory. After that first company was acquired, I dove deeper into sales leadership while being a co-founder in a second organization that I was actively scaling, which taught me how much I enjoy building teams and driving growth. Today, at RethinkBH, my goals are centered on creating impact at scale, helping our customers succeed while building a world-class sales organization. So while I didn’t always know I’d be here, each step shaped my vision and refined my goals toward leadership and growth.

Related Reading17 Tech Companies With Great Company Cultures That Are Hiring Now

Career Challenges Stevens Overcame — and How They Inspire His Leadership Today

One of the greatest challenges has been navigating the uncertainty that comes with building something from the ground up. When you start a company, there’s no playbook; you’re constantly making decisions with incomplete information. Early on, I faced setbacks around product-market fit and resource constraints. At times, it felt like every day was a new fire drill. The way I addressed those challenges was by staying adaptable and leaning into learning. I sought out mentors, embraced feedback and focused on building resilient teams that could pivot quickly. 

Another big challenge came after our first company was acquired. I had to shift from being a founder wearing every hat to operating within a structured, enterprise environment. That transition taught me discipline and process, which became invaluable later when scaling Alleva and now leading sales at RethinkBH. Ultimately, setbacks have been the best teachers. They forced me to clarify priorities, build systems and develop a mindset that sees obstacles as opportunities to grow.

“Ultimately, setbacks have been the best teachers. They forced me to clarify priorities, build systems and develop a mindset that sees obstacles as opportunities to grow.”

Key Career Lessons Stevens Applies to Leading Teams at RethinkFirst

The best advice I’ve ever received was to “fail up.” That phrase completely changed how I approach challenges. Instead of fearing mistakes, I learned to see them as stepping stones — each setback is an opportunity to learn, improve and move forward stronger. That mindset has been critical in my career, especially in the early days of building companies where uncertainty and risk were constant. Alongside that, adaptability and resilience have had the biggest impact. Things rarely go exactly as planned, so being able to pivot quickly and stay focused on the bigger picture is essential. Communication is another skill I’ve leaned on heavily. Whether it’s aligning a team or building trust with customers, clear and honest communication drives results. The takeaway here is this: Don’t fear failure — use it as fuel. Every challenge is a chance to grow and get better.

Frequently Asked Questions