Team Building

When asked, “what is the best thing you ever produced,” my answer is always “teams.”

My career started with a one-way ticket to a place I had never been and where I had to lean on people I had never met before. A chosen-family of similar adventurers was formed. I met them through my work.

Our industry is full of wildly creative people with huge talent and big dreams. I find joy in figuring what makes people’s hearts sing and connecting them with the opportunity to shine.

Whether this is through recruitment for creative and production teams or selection of production partners, I thrive on lifting people up.

My favorite gift is recognizing potential. My favorite job is feeding it.

Where are they now?

My gift is seeing potential. A look at the trajectories of some of the talent I’ve had the privilege to source and nurture.

  • Then: Designer
    Now: Principal Designer :: Colossus Mfg. || CEO :: Madespace

    The day I started as Creative Manager at Chiat/Day in San Francisco, I was briefed on an urgent need for new hires. I found an old box of student books under the desk of my assigned office and in it was a saddle-stitched portfolio that was designed with exquisite grace. I tracked down Kele and we hired him as a Designer. Since then, I have watched him shine as he’s developed new creative technologies, created and starred in his own HGTV show, and continued to transform places and spaces into true beauty. (I still have the little book.)

  • Then: Project Manager
    Now: Executive Director of Resourcing and Creative Services at TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles

    Jordan joined us as a Project Manager as Cutwater was launched. Not only did she thrive in a chaotic start-up environment, but she helped set the tone with her inherently joyful style of defining schedules and enforcing deadlines. She has since grown to leadership roles, recently leading Creative Resourcing and Wieden and Kennedy before joining Chiat\Day- LA as their Creative Operations lead.

  • Then: Senior Copywriter
    Now: Chief Creative Officer, Carmichael Lynch

    Marty was writing for an agency in London when I tracked him down and convinced him to come back to the states. His talent is only matched by his kindness, helping to set a tone of empathy and collaboration on our growing team.

  • Then: Studio Intern
    Now: Co-Founder | Creative Director | Head of Art - Juliet Creative, Toronto

    We pulled a few strings to create a studio internship when we saw Denise’s student book. She elevates everything that passes through her hands. Now she has her own agency with offices in Toronto and Los Angeles.

  • Then: Junior Project Manager
    Now: Founder/EP/Partner Little Moving Pictures

    I found Jeremy on CraigsList when I was looking for a Junior Project Manager. He had a booming little t-shirt business and all of the qualities that would translate to organizing a chaotic creative environment.

  • Then: Senior Print Producer
    Now: Author, Publisher, Named #10 among the Times UK’s Top 50 Design Bloggers

    Victoria was a freelance print producer when I lured her onto our team. She has infectious curiosity and a commitment to excellence in her work. That was true when she produced print and is still true now as she collects accolades including being named to Lucky Magazine’s Style Collective, MSN/Glo’s 10 Décor Experts To Watch, as well as being named Refinery29′s Most Inspiring Home Blogger.

  • Then: Digital Producer
    Now: Director of Digital Design at Ring

    I was able to launch the first digital production team at Cutwater and Tom was the guy I brought in to produce. He brought creativity and attention to detail to every project.

  • Then: Associate Creative Director
    Now: VP Global Creative, Starbucks

    I got a call one night from the President of TBWA\Chiat\Day - LA. She said, “We just won Gatorade and Lee (Clow) wants to add a creatiev director to the team. Do you know anyone?” I texted Jayanta, got a link to his work, got the nod from Lee that night and the offer came together in the next few days. Since then, Jayanta rose through the ranks and has had turns leading creative for Disney+, Virgin Galactic, Twitter and Starbucks.

  • Then: Senior Art Director
    Now: Exective Producer (TV) in development with HBO and Amazon

    Kevin has beautiful aesthetic sensibilities and the ability to quickly hone in on simple truths that create compelling messaging. He came to us to fill a Senior Art Director role and now freelances as a Creative Director as he focuses on a recent TV series Development deal.