PORTFOLIO
LEADERSHIP
The best advice I ever received about leadership was to surround yourself with people smarter and more talented than you.
I’ve never minced words about how weak my technical skills are — I’ve never held a camera, never mastered After Effects, and never designed or built a stage. But I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with hundreds of talented people who have. Creative leadership is one of the best parts of being a creative director — removing road blocks, pushing individuals and teams to discover and learn and do more, helping develop creators as they build their own career path. I’ve leaned into career life as a mentor, and it’s been more rewarding than the most successful video, event or project ever could be.
CULTURAL LEADERSHIP
I have always been more of a cultural leader than a financial or technical one. People respond to people, and by understanding how individuals and teams work, become inspired and motivated, we can help groups of people work more effectively together. I’ve started employee resource groups, designed and led awards and recognition programs, and created sustainable systems of mentorship and development that keep people engaged while honoring their individual skills and pursuits.
PEOPLE LEADERSHIP
My most recent experience included leading a group of ~40 talented creative professionals at a content and live events agency. From running weekly meetings, to presenting, hosting and training, to holding leadership and broader teams accountable for projects and performance, I learned the most about leadership from this opportunity.
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
One of the best kinds! Leading a team of two, two dozen or two hundred to create something that will reach thousands is the best part of the job. Assembling and leading a cross-functional team of creators and clients, scaling from a single video to a two week live event, is something I’ve enjoyed doing for the past decade and a half.