2025 Class of ADCOLOR LEADERS

Adrienne L. Lucas, JD is the Global Head of Strategic Partnerships & DEI at The One Club for Creativity, where she builds programs that open doors for creatives of color in advertising. She leads Where Are All The Black People (WAATBP), a conference and career fair with 3,500+ attendees and 60+ sponsors, now expanded to Atlanta, Toronto, Los Angeles, and soon London. She also oversees The One Club’s Creative Boot Camp. A graduate of NYU School of Law, Adrienne is a DEI consultant and recognized thought leader, frequently featured in panels and publications including Ad Age, The New York Times, and more.

Aisha Hudson is a leader within FleishmanHillard’s True MOSAIC practice – a global collective focused on embedding inclusion into organizational identity and reputation. She co-leads the MOSAIC Issues Taskforce, helping clients navigate complex social, cultural, and political issues. With 15 years of experience in issues management, media strategy, executive visibility, employee engagement, and DE&I communications, she has advised leading brands such as JPMorgan Chase, General Motors, Verizon, IBM, and Nike. Before joining FH in 2022, Aisha helped drive corporate and tech media strategy at Weber Shandwick, supporting global campaigns and high-impact events such as the Super Bowl and CES.

As a culture and communication strategist, TED speaker, and twice-published author, Amber Cabral teaches people how to be good humans at work and in life. Amber helps us learn how to respectfully speak our minds, purposefully define our goals, and avoid strengthen our relationships while avoiding burnout. She’s known for her authentic approach, practical solutions, and powerful communication techniques, all of which are showcased in her weekly podcast, Human(ing) Well, on SiriusXM radio network.

A Haitian-American Creative Director with a rich foundation in fine arts and dance choreography, Andy Mathurin has spent over 15 years transforming brands through the power of story. His work—spanning CPG, B2C, Entertainment, Travel, and Pharma—has earned accolades from Webby, Fierce Pharma, and GLAAD. But beyond the awards, he is most proud of mentoring young Black creatives, coaching professionals, and pastoring in fellowship groups. Whether guiding a strategy or leading from the heart, he brings purpose, empathy, and cultural insight to every table. He’s here to shift narratives, uplift voices, and build a future where our stories aren’t just heard—they’re celebrated.

Charisma Deberry is a powerhouse communicator and media maven with a resume that reads like a top-secret dossier. She’s shaped social and communications strategy for cultural cornerstones like NBCUniversal, ESSENCE, and DONDA—where storytelling met streetwear and strategy. Before stepping into her current role as VP of Communications at Horizon Media, she sharpened her skills at Northrop Grumman, navigating high-stakes messaging with trademark discretion. A proud Hampton University alumna with a master’s in policy, Charisma is a storyteller, strategist, and bridgebuilder, using her voice to shift narratives, spark dialogue, and leave every space better than she found it.

Cynthia Wolfe is a VP Creative Director at Digitas North America, known for her strategic storytelling and commitment to inclusive leadership. A first-generation American and daughter of immigrants, Cynthia has led impactful campaigns across retail, QSR, healthcare, and tech for brands like The Home Depot, Walmart, Baskin-Robbins and more. Her career, spanning from graphic design and art direction to creative leadership, reflects her dedication to mentorship and creating work cultures that elevate both people and ideas.

D.J. Vaughn serves as Walmart’s Director of Cultural Engagement Media & Partnerships.  In this role, he executes an evergreen approach to inclusive storytelling and marketing.  D.J. leads with passion and a desire to create meaningful impact, a focus illustrated through the development of several emerging talent incubator programs with HOORAE, NGLmitú, and SiriusXM.  These initiatives offer opportunity, access, and professional development to influencers, creators, and creatives across linear, digital, social, audio, music, and film mediums.  Additionally, D.J. oversees multicultural program campaigns, talent integrations, influencer executions, brand partnerships, and content creation – all efforts that celebrate identity, intersectionality, ambition, and excellence.  He works to showcase the culture in the most authentic and positive light, resulting in successful collaborations with leading media companies and creators.  Formerly, D.J. served on Walmart’s National Social Media team during which he managed cross-category content development and curation, organic and paid media strategies, and innovative, never-been-done-before activations.  D.J. coordinated various social series, including features that accounted for 3 of Walmart’s top 5 live-streamed broadcasts.  

In addition to social and digital storytelling, D.J. served as a grantmaker for foundation and corporate givers, managing executive, domestic, and international philanthropic portfolios and communications for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and FedEx.  For the latter, D.J. created and launched the corporation’s first CSR strategy for the continent of Africa, which included developing the first corporate-sponsored university scholarship program for graduates of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.

A native of North Carolina, D.J. is a Duke University alum, graduating with degrees in Public Policy Studies, Cultural Anthropology, and Documentary Studies.  He also earned his MBA at Wake Forest University as a Dingledine Positive Social Impact Scholar.

Daniel P. Calderon is the Founder of #WFHStudio, a Creative Business Studio helping artists and entrepreneurs build sustainable careers. He is also the Founder and President of Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (EOT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches at-promise Black and Brown youth how to solve problems through entrepreneurship and innovation. Now in its fifth year, EOT supports youth-led ventures, mentorship, and college pathways with a 100% matriculation rate. Daniel’s creative work spans partnerships with Spotify, Universal, and Illumination Studios, and he was recently awarded the Ailey Hemphill Riggs True Colors Grant for his impact as a next-gen queer creative leader.

Danielle Cornejo Calhoun is an award-winning communications strategist who drives integrated campaigns that create lasting business and cultural impact. She began her career in digital media more than 16 years ago, before pivoting to take on two new roles centering inclusion. As Vice President, Inclusion + Belonging at Weber Shandwick, Danielle drives innovative partnerships, develops bespoke programs, and leverages her expertise in social, digital and purpose-driven narratives to create real-world impact. She was a founding leader of LIGA, Weber Shandwick’s BRG centering Latinos, and served as founding Chair of equitABLE, the agency’s BRG centering employees living with disabilities and chronic illnesses. In 2023, she was named to PRovoke Media’s Innovator 25 list, Americas. Danielle was a 2014 ADCOLOR FUTURE, and is excited to return as a Leader in 2025.

Diana is a multicultural marketing executive and Head of Marketing at Relevant+, where she leads brand strategy, PR, and lead generation. With 15+ years of experience across tech, entertainment, healthcare, and nonprofits, she brings deep expertise in digital and multicultural marketing. Previously at Meta, she led global diversity and employer brand initiatives. A first-generation Latina, her work blends cultural fluency with data-driven strategy. She also runs Sol y Mar Management, supporting diverse small businesses, and founded Ms. Informed Latina, a platform focused on personal finance, career, and health education for the Latino community.

Eden Zeilo is a marketing executive and the Head of Marketing at Sienna Naturals, a clean, textured hair care brand co-founded by Issa Rae. She has led brand, retailer, and innovation strategy across iconic Black-owned and Black-founded beauty brands, including Black Opal, Fashion Fair, SheaMoisture, and MADAM by Madam C.J. Walker. Eden’s career spans consulting at Booz Allen, strategy at Samsung, and global brand leadership at Unilever. A respected speaker, she has presented at SXSW, HBS, and Wharton. Eden is known for combining cultural fluency with strategic rigor to drive purpose-led growth and inclusive brand storytelling.

Erica Mapa is a dynamic communications leader with 15+ years of experience helping brands tell their stories to global audiences.

A champion of inclusive storytelling that drives cultural impact, Erica has a proven track record of building integrated strategies and campaigns for some of the top brands in the industry, including The Coca-Cola Company, Verizon, Sonos and Converse. As the Director of Consumer & Brand Communications at Discord, Erica crafts narratives that reflect the millions of users that come to the platform everyday. A trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and a mentor to rising talent, Erica thrives in fast-paced and creative environments, and is a firm believer in using communications as a force for change.

Currently leading Product, Product Marketing, Operations, and Client Success teams at Horizon Media for their MTD arm, while also driving the full lifecycle of product discovery, research, and development with a focus on advancing AI-powered solutions. This strategic focus prioritizes integrated insights from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party data sets.

Extensive experience as a Practice Lead in Product, Operations, and managing complex data ecosystems driving custom audience building. My expertise covers the full data lifecycle, from acquisition and integration to the strategic application for the business.

As a seasoned SaaS Product Operations Leader in healthcare and life sciences, I drove solutions that enhance operational efficiency delivering meaningful, long-term value. In previous roles, I’ve built and optimized a gated digital media ecosystem for a kid tech firm, adhering to COPPA regulations. My expertise lies in transforming innovative concepts into fully operational, scalable products that enable seamless integration.

Programmatic 360 experience:
Sell Side: I monetized inventory for healthcare and gaming publishers, vetted SSPs and Ad Exchanges, and implemented advanced techniques like Header Bidding.

Buy Side: I managed Platform Operations for a Cross-Device DSP, overseeing both in-house and offshore Ad Operations teams, executing campaign targeting strategies, and defining Viewability algorithms. I also facilitated bidder integrations with major trading desks to enhance platform functionality.

I lead cross-functional teams to implement data-driven strategies that optimize product performance, and support rapid scaling, while adhering to stringent compliance requirements. My work also focuses on optimizing strategic partnerships, ensuring data integrity.

Frankie Yaptinchay is a Music Industry veteran with over 18+ years of professional experience across Industry Relations, Culture Marketing, and Strategic Partnerships. Frankie currently serves as Principle, Industry Relations on the Music Industry & Culture Collaborations team at Amazon Music. In 2024 Frankie was named one of Variety’s Top AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Executives and was featured in Amazon’s Global Representation Matters campaign. Frankie’s work has been highlighted by: Forbes, Billboard, Hits Daily Double, Black Enterprise, Pacific Bridge Arts, and more. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his loved ones, Korean BBQ, Taco Trucks, Basketball, and Anime.

Jackie Palmer is a strategic and creative executive leader, experiential producer and Storyteller with over 15 years of experience building high-impact campaigns, brand experiences, and cultural moments. An award-winning brand storyteller and strategic producer, Jackie is deeply committed to purpose-driven work that advances creativity, equity, and community-centered narratives. She has led cultural campaigns, moments and experiences for leaders, movements, and organizations, including Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden’s Inauguration, Secretary Hillary Clinton, A’ja Wilson, Apple, Moment of Lift Books, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Pivotal Ventures, Robin Hood Foundation, and Women’s Equality Center. As Managing Director at The Soze Agency, Jackie leads cross-functional teams producing purpose-driven work with creative excellence and measurable impact.

Her portfolio includes significant moments, such as the New York Times Best Seller “The Next Day” / Melinda French Gates Book Tour, “Dear Black Girls” / A’ja Wilson, the March on Washington 60th Anniversary, the Global Reparations Assembly in Nairobi, and “The House of Power” at the Democratic National Convention. A proud Detroiter and Spelman College graduate, Jackie brings a global perspective and narrative finesse to every project she touches. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for GyrlWonder, a nonprofit organization that supports the career development and wellness of young women of color.

Jessica Watson is a builder of inclusive spaces and bold strategies. As Vice President of Talent Engagement & Inclusion at Publicis Groupe U.S., she leads Business Resource Groups, Inclusion Councils, and initiatives that bridge people, purpose, and performance. Her career began in global talent development at J. Walter Thompson, where she helped launch the Future Pioneers Apprenticeship in London. Jessica holds a Public Relations degree from the University of Florida and is completing a Diversity & Inclusion for HR certificate from Cornell. Based in Atlanta, she’s passionate about vintage teaware, interior design, and storytelling that inspires equity.

Juie Shah is a Group Strategy Director at DDB Chicago. With a 15+ year career traversing continents, and the last decade at DDB Chicago, she has worked across multiple Fortune 100 clients spanning insurance, telecom and QSR. Juie currently leads strategy efforts for one of Omnicom’s largest accounts, the U.S. Army. As a lifelong learner Juie is passionate about design, equity and the intersection of the two disciplines. She makes it a point to give time to young immigrants and young women trying to break into advertising.

Khari Mpagazehe is an Executive Group Account Director at Droga5 where she leads the JPMorgan Chase business.

Prior to her time at Droga5, Khari proudly led a 15+ year career at BBDO where she worked with a wide spectrum of brand, retail and B2B clients including AT&T, Georgia-Pacific, Unilever and many more. During this time, she also served in a dual role as the global marketing operations lead for ExxonMobil from 2018 – 2021. Khari is a proud recipient of the BBDO Founder’s Award – an award that recognizes dedicated service and consistent application of the agency’s People Values.

Khari feels fortunate to be leading a career where her passions for creativity and leadership collide and finds purpose in mentoring others.

Khari hails from Natick, Massachusetts and adopted Atlanta, Georgia as a second home after attending Clark Atlanta University – a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

I’m the Head of Media, Entertainment, Sports and Gaming Advertising at Uber, where I lead partnerships with top brands to connect consumers with brands through the Uber Ads platform. Over the past five years, I’ve helped scale Uber’s ad business from the ground up.

Prior to Uber, I led marketing and go-to-market strategies at Disney and Johnson & Johnson and developed impactful brand partnerships at Univision focused on Hispanic audiences.

Laura holds an MBA from Cornell University and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. Her passion for bridging cultural and industry gaps has been a driving force throughout her career.

Lisa Bull is a visionary and results driven global marketing leader with 15+ years of experience in crafting high-impact, data-driven digital marketing strategies and driving audience engagement across industries including hospitality, entertainment, and consumer products.

Lisa’s extensive career spans brand management, consumer products, membership retention and engagement, retail marketing and sales, and consumer marketing roles at renowned entertainment companies like Paramount Global, Classic Media, (RED), and the Tyra Banks Company.

Beyond her professional sphere, she actively supports women and emerging diverse executives, collaborating with organizations like She Runs It, FutureNow Media, Chief, Asians in Advertising, Asian American Collective, and GenHERation.

Marie is a seasoned human resources executive with extensive experience in dynamic organizations and a proven track record as a champion of company culture, particularly during times of transformation. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Spanish Harlem, Marie brings authenticity, passion, and a strategic mindset to her leadership, empowering others and fostering innovation.

As Head of People at Ogilvy New York, the flagship office of the global creative agency, Marie leads cross-departmental partnerships and spearheads critical initiatives in Learning & Development (L&D) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). She recently launched JUMP, a groundbreaking retention and learning program designed to build a more inclusive and connected culture for diverse talent while also preparing the next generation of leaders to step into key roles.

Prior to Ogilvy, Marie spent 25 years at McCann, where she helped create and shape the AdFellows program from the ground up. This innovative rotational fellowship for BIPOC talent, developed in collaboration with Verizon, has since become a benchmark for nurturing diverse talent and advancing inclusion within the industry.

Highly regarded for her ability to build trust-based relationships, Marie excels at driving positive results through people-first policies and practices. Her innovative leadership programs and unwavering commitment to advancing culture and inclusion have left a lasting impact on every organization she has served.

Michael Houston (he/they) is a versatile producer, sound engineer, artist, and social impact leader with over 18 years of experience in production and advertising. As Director of Social Impact at Arnold Worldwide, they drive change by building pathways and expanding access for underrepresented creative talent.

Michael founded The Inclusion Council to advance equity through inclusive strategy and authentic representation. They support impact initiatives across Havas North America and serve on the board of BAGLY, Inc.

Rooted in community and care, Michael’s work centers on amplifying voices historically excluded from creative industries—working towards a more inclusive, equitable future.

Samantha Hosein is a dedicated people leader, inclusion strategist, cultural innovator, and community builder. She’s also a New Yorker, a painter, and a mom. She has expertise in inclusive education, curriculum design, organizational change management, transformational leadership and healing and restorative practices. She believes that building inclusive teams is not just essential as a way to ensure a robust employee experience but also for business longevity and growth. As a leader, she seeks to build healthy environments where inclusion and belonging empower and nurture employees from diverse backgrounds to thrive, and leaders to tackle dicult and highly charged issues.

Sara Porritt is the Chief Inclusion and Impact Officer at Omnicom Media Group.  Expanding her advocacy beyond the walls of OMG, Sara is the Board Chair of the 4A’s Foundation.  As an R&B vocalist and yogi, she co-launched a record label with a Grammy winning music producer in her teens.  Since that time, she has VJ’ed for MTVu, released full length albums, starred in CW’s “The Next,” and hit the stage with Wyclef Jean at Advertising Week.  Through the Hear Us Roar Podcast, Sara empowers AANHPI women to traverse the road not taken and ignite their own transformative journeys.

Sharita Petersen is an award-winning creative executive and visionary leader with a proven track record in high-impact creative marketing. As Vice President, Creative Director at Paramount’s MTV Entertainment Studios, she is the driving force behind the network’s iconic unscripted series. With experience at MTV, VH1, Showtime, NBCUniversal, and BET Networks, Sharita has led campaigns that generated record-breaking ratings and earned multiple industry accolades. Known for dope creative, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and mentoring diverse creative teams, she specializes in content that resonates with multicultural audiences and pop culture enthusiasts. Sharita holds a Bachelor’s degree from Delaware State University.

Shaun Mir is an award-winning content and creative strategist and digital storyteller with 15 years of experience leading creative teams and producing compelling visual content. His expertise spans film, video, marketing, and communications, and he has contributed to global campaigns recognized by prestigious awards, including the Webby and Telly Awards. Shaun has worked with industry leaders like Hilton, National Geographic, and Capital One, blending strategic insight with creative vision to produce content that resonates. He is passionate about mentorship, advocating for diversity in the creative industry, and pushing for inclusive storytelling across all platforms.

With an expansive perspective that straddles two worlds – the artistic realm and the realm of social justice – Tamara expertly intertwines these spheres through her creative projects. Her extensive involvement in both the arts and the nonprofit sector, where she has managed human rights, and social justice, programs in Canada and globally, has bestowed her with a unique skill set that she applies with an unwavering dedication to her treatment of stories and subjects in her filmmaking.

Tamara’s prowess as a filmmaker is exemplified through her work in documentaries, digital content, and in recent years, dramatic films. Notably, her work has graced screens belonging to prestigious networks such as CBC, MTV, Aljazeera English, CTV, PBS, Radio Canada, and NHK. Her professional journey has been enriched by her participation in renowned labs such as the Doha Film Institute, Berlinale Talents, Durban Talents, Rotterdam Lab, EAVE, and APost. She has presented her work in prestigious events like RIDM Pitch, Cannes Doc Corner Rough Cut Pitch, IFP Week, Hot Docs Forum, Cinemart and Berlinale Co-Production Market and more.

The breadth of Tamara’s work is perhaps most evident in her captivating films, which have been presented at festivals globally, including “Forgotten Children” (2007), “Girls of Latitude” (2008), “Grandma Knows Best” (2014), and “Finding Sally” (2020). In 2024, two new films she produced were released: “Alazar” at Critics Week in Cannes and “Made in Ethiopia” in both Sheffield and Tribeca. She is now in pre-production on Mehal Sefari and developing a documentary and dramatic projects slate.

From 2004 to 2012, Tamara served as the executive director of the Canadian charitable organization, the 411 Initiative For Change, where she spearheaded initiatives that melded her passion for the arts with her commitment to social transformation. During this tenure, her dynamic leadership nurtured the creation of multi-arts content and campaigns in partnership with Keep A Child Alive, Kids Help Phone, Amnesty International, and others.

In Canada, Tamara has furthered her commitment to equity and inclusion as a founding board member in 2019 of the REMC (The Racial Equity Media Collective). Furthermore, her role with the Canada Media Fund (2020 to 2023) and appointment as VP of Growth and Inclusion reflects her commitment to advocating for underrepresented communities within the screen sector.

Tamara’s influence extends beyond borders. In Africa, she has advised governmental bodies, UNESCO, DW Akademie, Afrixembank and the European Union, contributing to policies and programs that uplift the creative industries. As a member of Ethiopia Creates and the co-chair of the East Screen Collective, Tamara’s commitment to nurturing the artistic ecosystem is palpable. She extends her impact through capacity-building training labs, mentorship programs, and export missions aimed at empowering East African filmmakers.

Tamara has been a featured speaker at film events globally on inclusive filmmaking practices and African cinema. She continues to mentor and train emerging talent through organizations, including EAVE, Hot Docs, Doc Insitute, DOCA and DW Akademie.

Shantia (Tia) Washington is a boundary-breaking sales leader whose career in sports and media celebrates culture, creativity, and authenticity. As Senior Manager of Global Partnerships for the Atlanta Hawks, she has driven $6.5M in new business by building inclusive, community-rooted brand experiences. A former Director at the Jacksonville Jaguars and alum of Pandora Music and Live Nation, Tia is a mentor, ERG co-chair, and advocate for diverse voices in the industry. Grounded in excellence and driven by purpose, she rises by amplifying culture and reaches back to uplift others – embodying leadership that reflects ADCOLOR’s mission to empower, celebrate, and move culture forward.

Victoria O. Oshodin is an award-winning Creative Director, storyteller, and strategic thinker with 14+ years of multidisciplinary experience. Her non-linear path across advertising, TV, filmmaking, and experiential storytelling has shaped a creative voice rooted in authenticity, culture, and impact. She blends human-centered storytelling with strategy and emerging technology to craft work that connects and resonates. Known for her ability to support and uplift creative teams, Victoria believes creativity isn’t just about making—it’s about moving people, shifting perspectives, and building ideas that live beyond the moment. The goal? To create work that makes people say, “That was D.O.P.E.!”

From film sets to ad campaigns, Cannes Lion winner Yogi Omar brings more than 20 years of storytelling prowess to his current role as Manager of Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Development at Rethink. Yogi has produced campaigns for companies like IKEA, Kraft, and A&W, while championing underrepresented voices to drive positive change in media and advertising. Prior to Rethink, Yogi co-owned InspirationALL, a talent agency, where he pushed for diverse representation in film and television casting. In his spare time, Yogi actively contributes to Vancouver’s LGBTQ2+ community, proving his commitment to impact both on and off screen.