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Adrienne Lucas is Head of Strategic Partnerships & DEI at The One Club, an advertising nonprofit. As part of her role, Adrienne partners with companies throughout the US, Africa and Europe, to create programs designed to increase the number of creatives of color in advertising. One of the largest programs under Adrienne’s purview is Where Are All The Black People, an annual diversity conference and career fair. WAATBP attracts up to 3500+ attendees and 60+ partner companies. Adrienne holds a J.D. from NYU Law, a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh, and a DEI Professionals Certificate from Cornell University.

Born in Auckland, grew up in Sydney and now living in Los Angeles, Aisea is always in restless pursuit of ideas that travel. He is a Partner at Anomaly, where he works with a select group of global clients who are looking for timely ways to tackle timeless marketing problems. Aisea’s career has focused on the intersection of global culture and commerce, with stints in Singapore, Shanghai, São Paulo and New York before settling in LA which he now calls home.

I am a creator and technologist with 15+ years as a photographer, filmmaker and music composer matched with 20+ years as an AV systems design engineer. In 2020, I started my own creative studio, DRKR PXLS, which focuses on the use of emerging, experiential and traditional technologies to elevate stories for animation, film and interactive applications. I currently have a focus on real-time 3D and virtual production based storytelling.

Alex Abrantes is a creative leader who believes creativity is an economic multiplier for clients. Consistently ranked among the best creatives in the industry, Alex is currently the #1 Creative Director in the world in both The Drum’s Global Creative Rankings (2024) and The One Club’s Global Rankings (2023).He helped propel FCB NY to become WARC’s #1 Most Effective Creative Agency of 2023, the 2024 One Show and ADC Agency of the Year, the 2023 CLIO Agency of the Year, Cannes Lions 2024 Craft Agency of The Year and 6x North America Network of The Year wins.

Alicia transforms global brands into cultural icons by crafting marketing strategies that resonate with audiences. She has led brand, engagement, and social strategy for major brands like BMW, Roc Nation, PepsiCo, The North Face, Samsung, Pernod Ricard, and AT&T at agencies including Ogilvy, United Entertainment Group, and most recently, Translation, where she is Group Strategy Director. Alicia is also the creator of The Invisible Thread, a digital series and community that highlights strategists of color and their influence on culture. After one season, The Invisible Thread has become an essential mentorship resource for strategists of color.

Allyson Hugley leads LinkedIn Marketing Solutions (LMS) global Customer Insights team, which is part of the LMS Customer Science organization. Prior to joining LinkedIn, Hugley led the Insights and Analytics function for the Prudential Financial Global Communications team. Hugley is the recipient of numerous industry recognitions including being honored byPRNewsas one of the Top Women in PR and recognized byBlack Enterprisefor outstanding business achievement.Hugley received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Connecticut College, her MBA from CUNY Baruch Zicklin School of Business, and her MS in analytics from Texas A&M University.

Amera Lulu is a Palestinian American Latina New Yorker passionate about storytelling and aims to demystify stereotypes of minority groups through creativity. She is a senior art director at Edelman and an adjunct professor at CUNY City Tech. The Drum recognized her as one of the top 50 under 30 emerging creative females in the US, and The Arab American Foundation acknowledged her as one of the 40 under 40 Young Arab Americans making an impact in the US, among other awards she has received during her time in the advertising industry.

Angelica Matthews works at Procter & Gamble, leading the North American Dish Care portfolio where she is responsible for running a $3 billion business across Dawn, Cascade, and Gain Hand Dish. Over her 14-year tenure, she has successfully grown businesses across a diverse set of brands and roles including across Febreze, Swiffer, Mr. Clean, Microban, and leading P&G’s marketing efforts with Sam’s Club. She has a passion for representative and inclusive brand building, leading transformational innovation, and building winning, joyful work cultures. She is based out of Cincinnati where she lives with her husband and her adorable dog Milo.

As the SVP of Multicultural Consulting, with over 23 years of industry experience, Arnetta has worked across key clients, such as Walmart, Visa, and REI. She’s led initiatives to increase inclusionary strategies by developing a self-paced learning curriculum and speaker/vendor series. As the former co-chair of VivaWomen of Color, Publicis’ Business Resource Group, she helped grow membership by 267% and active markets by 233%. Recognized as a top industry professional by Business Insider, she holds degrees from Pace and Pepperdine University and was recently recognized as a Campaign U.S. Inspiring Women, Championing Change Honoree.

Avantha Arachchi is the COO of A-Frame Brands, a brand incubator and operating portfolio around demographic and psychographic trends. She has been an brand builder, operator, swiss army knife, and founder whisperer for 15+ years of scaling and turning around startups across tech, beauty, and CPG.Notably, Avantha was the cover star of SF’s Voices of Pride 2024, Fast Company’s 2022 Queer50 List, is a former Human Behavioral Fellow, a finalist for Most Indispensable Organization Organizer in the Bay, named Rising Thought Leader in Talent in 2016, and led people operations for Inc Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Private Company in SF in 2015.

Beanca is a Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Google. In her current role, she focuses on evolving and enabling Google’s Brand Standards. Prior to this role, Beanca was a Brand Manager for Belonging, a DEI Partnerships and Events Lead for Google’s central DEI team, and a National Event Lead for Grow with Google, Google’s initiative to create economic opportunity for all Americans. Beanca earned her B.A. in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Brian Lockhart serves as senior vice president of Original Content, responsible for overseeing strategy and development of all original programming initiatives under the ESPN Films umbrella and the award-winning E60 series, as well as original series and studio shows on ESPN+. Lockhart also oversees Business Affairs, a function which handles deal-making, co-production, content business negotiation and talent relations. In addition, he oversees ESPN’s award-winning Features group. He previously served as vice president and executive producer of Original Content for ESPN+. Prior to his role at ESPN, Lockhart was vice president and executive producer of Original Content for NFL Media.

Bryan Stromer is pursuing his MBA at Harvard Business School. Before this, he was a Senior Product Manager at Amazon, focused on innovating for customers and employees with disabilities. Before Amazon, Bryan worked as a Product Marketing Manager for Microsoft, where he founded Microsoft’s Disability in Marketing group. He also co-founded ADCOLOR’s Disability group. Bryan received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. Bryan has been published by the Washington Post, NY Times, NPR, Adweek, and PR Week. He has been recognized as the Disability:IN 2019 NextGen of the Year, the 2020 Mr. ADCOLOR, and a Forbes 30 Under 30

Cameron Black was born completely blind, but it didn’t stop him from pursuing his passion for sports and becoming a local Kansas sports journalist. But one dream always felt out of reach: becoming a sports broadcaster. With the help of Michelob Ultra and bleeding edge technology, Cameron became the first blind person to call an NBA playoff game live on TV.

Channing Martin is Interpublic’s Global Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer. In this role, she is responsible for advancing the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion objectives and continuing to strengthen the company’s progress to being one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies. Reporting to the CEO, she sets the vision, strategy and measurement on all diversity-related matters, including the continued diversification of talent, collaboration and partnership with the orgs network of agency brands, CEOs and DE&I leadership community. Prior to joining Interpublic, Channing has made measurable impact across a number of industries including tech, finance and the U.S. government.

Christena Pyle is the first Chief Equity Officer at dentsu Americas and joined the network in 2020. Christena has spent her entire career working in and advocating for the advertising industry, having worked for agencies, holding companies, and non-profits. Christena has received countless honors but most recently recognized by Ad Age’s 40 under 40 list and inducted into the America Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement. In addition to being inducted into the 2021 AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement, Christena also received the Jack Avrett Volunteer Spirit Award for industry service.

Throughout the entertainment industry and creative spaces, Courtney Richardson is known for building the vibe and nailing the vision. Highly sought-after and award-winning, she’s earned a reputation for being a cultural and creative visionary par excellence. By day, she is a Creative Director at Droga5 and by night, Courtney is the brainchild behind the Museum of Nail Art. Formerly of PAPER Magazine and crowned ‘Creative of the Year’ in 2021 by ADCOLOR and The One Club, she values liberation through authentic craft and storytelling. A disruptive leader, Courtney isn’t here to scratch the surface. She’s here to break glass ceilings.

Daniel is a Strategic Partnerships leader focused on Tech, Media and Entertainment, recently joined Mailchimp’s strategic partnerships team, and led global partnerships and strategic growth at companies including Google, TikTok, 20th Century Fox, WarnerMedia, and Deloitte Consulting. As a first-generation Chinese-American immigrant, he champions DEI and the intersectionality of AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities. He has worked on DEI partnerships and initiatives with ADCOLOR, TikTok, Out in Tech, Gold House, Asians in Advertising, spoke and hosted various industry evens. Joining Pride at ADCOLOR, he’s dedicated to uplift and foster diverse talents and communities, and most recently served on ADCOLOR’s Awards jury.

Throughout his nearly 15-year career, Danny Hernandez has had a knack for creative reputation-building in the world of agencies and brands. He joined Wieden+Kennedy in 2022, partnering closely with the agency’s talent to elevate W+K’s creativity and culture. By amplifying culturally relevant ideas for clients, he and the W+K PR team have helped turn the agency’s work into some of the most talked-about in the industry and beyond.

Dany Garcia is the Founder and Chairwoman of The Garcia Companies, a portfolio of human-centered brands including the UFL, Seven Bucks Productions (JUMANJI franchise, Hobbs & Shaw, Rampage, Red Notice – Netflix’s number one most watched film of all time), ZOA, Teremana Tequila, the Project Rock line at Under Armour, Acorns, Atom Tickets, and Salt & Straw. With her passion for building global enterprises and advocating for diversity in business, matched by her love for professional sports and personal athletic ambitions, Garcia redefines what it means to build brands built directly from values – merging high performance with joyful experiences.

Danyel Smith lives at the intersection of sport and culture. She tells the stories of artists and athletes through leadership, acclaimed journalism, memoir, and podcasting. Currently a contracted contributor at The New York Times Magazine, Danyel is the founding culture editor of ESPN’s The Undefeated, and a former contributor to ESPN The Magazine. As a producer and editor, she has created award-winning cross-platform content featuring legends like Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Misty Copeland, and Serena Williams. Danyel has also written profiles of Simone Biles, Breanna Stewart, Jamal Crawford, and Jalen Hurts.

In addition: Danyel has interviewed pop cultural icons ranging from Whitney Houston and SZA to Janet Jackson, NBA YoungBoy, Mariah Carey, Usher, Lionel Richie, and Beyoncé. Danyel has shared her insights on culture at venues such as Amazon Music, the Grammy Museum, Yale, the University of Southern California, and New York University.

Danyel is author of the acclaimed Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop (2022) and the creator/host of Black Girl Songbook, a Spotify Original podcast centering the stories of Black women in music. A 2021 Yaddo fellow and a 2024 MacDowell Nonfiction Fellow, Danyel has served as editor of Billboard and editor-in-chief of VIBE. According to The New Yorker, “Danyel is one of the nation’s most astute chroniclers of pop and hip-hop culture.”

danyesmith@gmail.com
https://www.danyelsmithwriter.com/

Daryl is a dynamic, results-driven senior executive with over 25 years of broad based, progressive experience in Marketing, Sales and Finance.In his current role as Vice President of Marketing for Google Devices and Services, he is responsible for the US business including Strategy, Insights, Brand Management, Campaign Development and Third Party Retail Programming.Daryl received a Dual Degree B.A. in Marketing and Finance from Morehouse College and his M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. Daryl is an active member in his community serving in various capacities with his church, local YMCA, college alumni association and The Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Demar drives growth and creativity at Current Group, home to Current Global and dna communications. With nearly 20 years of marketing and business development experience, she helps agencies stand out in a crowded industry. As EVP of Marketing and Business Development, she leads strategies that fuel Current Group’s success across North America. In 2023, she earned a spot on Ragan PR Daily’s Top Women in Marketing list. A global culture enthusiast, Demar believes art is a universal language that unites us. Her travels inspire her work, crafting messages that resonate and spark authentic connections. She’s a lifelong learner and passionate traveler.

Dipal Shah has spent nearly 20 years working in marketing. From an early age, she recognized her otherness and sought out diverse voices and perspectives to acclimate to American culture. In her current role at Amazon Ads, Dipal leads the global brand strategy team overseeing the brand design, strategy, campaigns, and inclusive marketing, ensuring the brand reflects a nuanced global audience. In her time at Amazon, Dipal has served as a judge for the 2023 ADCOLOR LEADERS class and supports the team in our ADCOLOR efforts each year.

Doniel Sutton joined Pinterest as Chief People Officer in 2024. Doniel oversees Pinterest’s global talent teams, including human resources strategy, talent management, total rewards, recruiting, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Previously, she was the Chief People Officer at Alteryx, where she led all human resource functions including talent strategy, total rewards, talent acquisition, development, culture, and DEI. Prior to that, she served as Chief People Officer for Fastly, a high-growth and innovative software platform, and held various roles at PayPal, including Senior Vice President of People where she led all functional areas of HR in support of the global workforce.

Emily K. Graham is a change agent and visionary leader at the intersection of corporate impact and the future of diversity, equity and inclusion. For 17 years, she’s broken the Black and glass ceilings by rapidly ascending in the worlds of communications and advertising. Emily serves as Global Chief Equity & Impact Officer at Omnicom, a $17B marketing communications conglomerate, where she advances systemic equity across its global network, leading a team of 70+ dedicated DEI professionals. An award-winning corporate communications strategist, Emily is also SVP of DEI Communications at Omnicom, engaging stakeholders in Omnicom’s DE&I story and vision.

Eric Austin is a brand building marketing executive at Procter & Gamble with 20+ years of experience. He has developed some of the world’s most successful, global billion-dollar brands in the US and abroad in Europe including Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Wella Koleston, Braun, Olay and others. Throughout his career, Eric has gained a broad range of experiences across the Marketing and IT landscape which includes initiative management, consumer insights, data & analytics, marketing strategy and more. Beyond marketing, Eric is a media maven with deep expertise in leading disruptive innovation, accelerating media productivity for the world’s largest advertiser.

Estevan Oriol began his career in the entertainment industry in the late 1980s as a club bouncer at several of Los Angeles most popular clubs and infamous hangouts.It was at the clubs that Estevan first linked up with his Soul Assassin brothers,Cypress Hill.To expand his business,Estevan took a job as tour manager for the rap group House of Pain.In 1995 Estevan took up photography,cataloging the experiences he was having out ontour.When off tour,he began to take pictures of his homies from the neighborhood. He discovered that he had a gift for capturing raw essence of street life with his photography.

Eunique Jones Gibson is a cultural architect and brand builder, known for campaigns that inspire global movements. Her journey began in 2013 with Because of Them, We Can®, a media platform dedicated to sharing positive Black stories. Building on this mission, she created #CultureTags®, a hit game celebrating the nostalgia of Black culture. As CEO of Culture Brands, Eunique leads an innovative enterprise spanning media, consumer products, and advertising. She also heads The Happy Hues Company, whose Big-Ups training pants and Wipe Me Downs wipes recently debuted in Target stores. Her work underscores a stedfast commitment to culture and community.

Franchesca Ramsey is an actor, writer, sought-after public speaker, and creator/star of the award-winning web series MTV Decoded. A former writer/correspondent for Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, her first book, Well That Escalated Quickly was nominated for an NAACP award and named one of Amazon’s best books of 2018. In 2020 she served as writer/co-producer on the iCarly reboot for Paramount+ and guest starred on NBC’s Superstore. These days you’ll find her co-hosting Wondery’s Black History, For Real along with Acast’s Lemme Fix It! In 2024 Franchesca’s debut feature was selected for the Sundance screenwriters fellowship.

As Publicis Groupe US Chief Diversity Officer, Geraldine leads DEI efforts across the organization’s largest market, scaling a centralized practice that fosters inclusive talent experiences; builds more equitable systems, policies, and practices; and drives shared accountability and community engagement to catalyze enterprise-level change. With over two decades of marketing/advertising experience across DEI, business consulting, client services, and program management, she has spent her career applying change management and business transformation to yield measurable growth and impact. A celebrated thought leader honored with awards including AAF Mosaic Champion, Geraldine evolves DEI expertise, best practices, and advocacy, within and beyond industry forums.

Gina Grillo – President & CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York, an industry forum for exchanging ideas, recognizing creative excellence, innovation, cultivating talent and promoting inclusion, she is a champion of the industry. In her 20+ years at The AD Club, Gina has transformed the Club into the voice of the modern ad industry which, in turn, shaped the conversation around diversity of thought, start-up innovation, support of Young Professionals, cultivated the importance of bravery in advertising, and has become a platform to the entire advertising, marketing and media community in New York.

Grace Kao is Head of Global Business Marketing for Spotify. With over 20 years of marketing and advertising experience, Grace helps brands around the world connect with Spotify’s over 615 million monthly listeners in meaningful and effective ways. She has led award-winning campaigns for iconic brands such as Pepsi, PlayStation, Crate&Barrel, Apple. Most recently, she led Spotify Advertising’s ‘Spreadbeats’ campaign, which was one of the most awarded across multiple categories at Cannes. Grace was also named on Adweek’s Top 50 Indispensable Business Leaders. Before joining Spotify, she served as Head of Global Business Marketing for Instagram.

Jeroslyn is a journalist and host based in Los Angeles, though she proudly hails from New York City. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication from SUNY Old Westbury and began her career by launching her own blog before advancing to writer and editor roles at major media outlets. Currently, Jeroslyn is a writer and host with Black Enterprise, where she leads her show, The Culture Shift With Jeroslyn JoVonn, dedicated to inspiring future leaders. She lives by her mission: “Be Bold. Stand Out. And Make A Statement.”

With over 15 years of experience in multicultural planning, Jessica Diaz has established herself as a leading voice in the industry, championing initiatives with Fortune 500 brands like Verizon, JCPenney, Volkswagen, and State Farm. Her passion lies in empowering brands to unlock the potential of multicultural audiences and foster meaningful connections. Jessica’s innovative approach has consistently led to growth opportunities that enhance brand presence and customer loyalty. Committed to inspiring others, she believes authentic connections with diverse communities drive transformative growth and success.

Jon Batiste is a five-time Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and composer. His eighth studio album, Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1), releasing on November 15 via Verve Records/Interscope, marks the first installment in his solo piano series, showcasing his interpretations of Beethoven’s iconic works. Beethoven Blues follows Jon’s album World Music Radio (August 2023, Verve), which received five Grammy® nominations, including ‘Album of the Year.’ As a composer, Batiste scored Jason Reitman’s SATURDAY NIGHT, released theatrically on October 11. He composed and produced the music live on set, capturing the intensity of the show’s debut episode. Batiste also appeared as Billy Preston, the show’s first musical guest. Batiste earned an Oscar® nomination and two Grammy® nominations for his song “It Never Went Away” for the 2023 Netflix documentary AMERICAN SYMPHONY, which follows his professional success at the 2022 Grammys® alongside his wife’s battle with leukemia.

Ace King, also known as Jordan Watson, is celebrated as Instagram’s “King of Transitions.” His dynamic work has captured the attention of major brands such as Meta, Bose, and Hollywood Reporter. Committed to empowering others, Ace shows how social media can be a catalyst for transformation. He teaches that the power to change lives resides in the palm of our hands—through our phones. By leveraging platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Ace inspires others to create impactful, positive changes. His passion and expertise guide individuals and businesses to thrive in the digital landscape and unlock their full potential.

Jovian Zayne is the CEO of The OnPurpose Movement®, a professional development firm committed to values-driven leaders. She shapes the leadership of some of the world’s most innovative organizations as a celebrated speaker, executive coach, and facilitator. Her firm’s client list includes Google, IDEO, The New York Times, Meta, and Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records.

Founder of the International Day of Purpose, and a 2019 Aspen Ideas Fellow, Jovian has been featured in New York Magazine, Fast Company, Black Enterprise, and The Grammys.

She is the author of the forthcoming book, Soft Landings For Hard Days, to be published by Penguin Life.

Judy Lee is the Senior Director of Global Brand Experiences at Pinterest. She leads the teams that bring the brand to life through experiences and programming around the globe. Her team is responsible for Manifestival at Cannes, Possibility Place London, Manifest Station at Coachella, and more.Judy is an advocate for inclusion and mentorship. She is the co-executive sponsor of Asians@ Pinterest. She is an Adweek Executive Mentor, served on their DEI Council, and was an ADCOLOR mentor.Judy has won numerous awards for evolving brand experiences and has been recognized as one of most inspired Women Trailblazers of 2021.

Justin David Sullivan (he/she/they) is a trans non-binary singer, actor, and artist based in NYC. Justin is passionate about diversity and representation in the performing arts and hopes to be seen as an advocate of inclusivity. Justin starred as Mayin the original Broadway cast of the pop-hit musical& Juliet.Since making her Broadway debut, Justin has received honors and awards from a multitude of national queer publications and organizations for their advocacy work. Justin is a Queerty Pride50 Honoree, a 30 Under 30 select for the Advocate Magazine, and received GLSEN’s Game Changer Award in 2023. @justindavidsullivan

Kate Bentsen is an Associate Manager of Business Brand Marketing at Spotify, where she has spent the past seven years cultivating her expertise in strategic marketing and campaign management. In her current role, she drives major initiatives, including high-profile activations at Cannes Lions and other industry tentpoles, enhancing Spotify’s partnership value within the advertising community.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University, where she honed her skills and developed a deep passion for music as both an artist and a businesswoman. In addition to her professional achievements, she is a talented singer-songwriter whose latest single, “Maxine,” was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist. She has enjoyed selling out venues such as Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom. Originally from Houston, Texas, Kate currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she continues to connect with audiences both through her music and her work in marketing.

Kay Lopez is a Social Media Consultant and Content Director focused on multicultural markets with experience in TX, NYC and LA, working on brands like: General Mills, L’Oréal USA, Fabletics, NBCUniversal, Warner Media, We All Grow Latina, Los Angeles Tourism Board and more. She is also the founder and creator of Latinas Poderosas, a platform focused on amplifying and celebrating Latina voices, wins, and representation.

Keesha Jean-Baptiste is a distinguished Chief People Officer specializing in HR transformation. With a nearly three-decades-long career, she has driven organizational and cultural change at renowned companies such as Hearst Magazines, Wieden + Kennedy, and Richemont International. Keesha holds a certification in compassionate leadership and is a coach for the Shift Positive 360® feedback method, further elevating the deep respect held among Chief People Officers. Her insights have been featured extensively in leading trade publications like ADWEEK and numerous podcasts, underscoring her influence and thought leadership on various HR topics.

Kristin Jarrett is a social impact and creative leader who works to deliver effective strategies that drive equity and social justice through inclusive media, storytelling, and community engagement. She currently leads Spotify’s strategy for Gender and LGBTQIA+ equity to help drive the organizations efforts to create greater wellbeing outcomes for creators, listeners, and employees. Kristin also leads Spotify’s Creator Equity strategy focused resourcing and activating the next generation of artists, creators, and storytellers who have historically been excluded from the creative industry

Kyla Pratt is an award-winning actress, writer, and producer, celebrated for her iconic roles as ‘Penny Proud’ in Disney Channel’s The Proud Family, ‘Breanna Barnes’ in UPN’s One on One, and ‘Maya Dolittle’ in the Dr. Dolittle franchise with Eddie Murphy as well as her recurring roles on BET’s Let’s Stay Together, Freeform’s Recovery Road, HBO’s Insecure, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and FOX’s Call Me Kat.She has also appeared in numerous films including Love & Basketball, Fat Albert, and Hotel for Dogs. Known for portraying outspoken, relatable characters that champion black culture, Kyla continues to inspire new generations.

I’m Leah Smart, an interviewer and editor for LinkedIn News, where I explore what it means to live “the good life.” Since 2022, I’ve hosted the podcastEveryday Better with Leah Smartand its companion newsletter. Each episode brings insights from researchers or inspiring stories from authors, aimed at enhancing our personal and professional lives. Our show has won notable awards for “most inspirational” podcast and ranks as a top education podcast on Apple.I live in Manhattan with my husband and our two dogs. We relish weekend adventures—whether exploring outside the city or catching a Broadway show.

Lindsay Wagner is the first-ever Chief Diversity Officer at United Talent Agency, a leading global talent, entertainment, sports, and advisory company. With nearly two decades of experience in the worlds of communications and strategic DEI, Lindsay has advanced marcom initiatives that have elevated Fortune 500 brands and implemented practices that nurture a culture of inclusion. Lindsay’s passion extends beyond the corporate environment and creative industries and into community activism. She is a strategic advisor for Kindred Space LA, an inclusive birthing, education and support center which prioritizes Black maternal health and addresses the inadequacies of the maternal healthcare system.

LJ Louis is the Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer at WPP. In her role, she leads teams responsible for talent management, learning and development, succession planning and DEI. Ms. Louis has 15 years of talent and DEI experience across several industries. Prior to WPP, she was SVP, Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer at WeWork. She also held earlier roles at L Brands as VP, Head of Global Leadership Talent and was a Partner at Korn Ferry. Ms. Louis received a master’s degree in human resources management at New York University and a bachelor’s degree in finance and management at Georgetown University.

Lola Bakare is the founder of be/co, a boutique marketing consultancy in Philadelphia. She is an Anthem award-winning inclusive marketing strategist, an advisory board member for Sparks & Honey and the creator of the #responsiblemarketing movement. Bakare is a 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing and Advertising and a regular at industry events including the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. She is regularly featured in LinkedIn News, Campaign, Adweek, Marketing Brew, Digiday, Harvard Business Review, and Insider.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a 4-time NYT bestselling author, speaker and book coach who thrives at the intersection of culture, business and leadership. She’s CEO of Awe Luv Media, and founder of The Book Academy.She has written 4 critically acclaimed bestselling books (including her banner book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual and her children’s book Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess), establishing her as a literary force with a powerful pen.Her TED talk has close to 10M views.

Mandy is the oldest of 7 children of a Deaf father who immigrated from Central America after losing his hearing as a toddler. Not only is Mandy’s first language ASL, she spent her life advocating and interpreting for her father, and witnessing first hand the gap in communication faced by the Deaf community. This experience led to over 25 years as a sign language interpreter, teaching sign language in multiple schools and community groups, and the founding of her company JFD Communications to “Help Deaf Succeed in a Hearing World.” WWW.jfdcommunications.com

Margaret is a Partner and Co-Founder of STAMP Event Co, a certified Minority/Women-Owned and LGBTQ-led production company, based in NYC and LA. For nearly 2 decades, STAMP has offered end-to-end services for events of all sizes, combining expertise, creativity, and a collaborative approach to produce gatherings with lasting cultural impact. STAMP’s clients include:ADCOLOR®, Netflix, amfAR, Google, and GLAAD.

Mark leads talent and operations for MSL and Le Truc. He blends organizational strategy with a deep knowledge of our people, our clients and our business to develop talent strategies and programs – ensuring that our engagement model aligns with the agency goals.A boomerang to Publicis Groupe, his career included time at D’Arcy Advertising, Publics Worldwide and Edelman, where he led the HR and Operations function through three separate mergers and honed his skills in change management and cultural development. He currently serves on the ADCOLOR Board of Directors and is proud to be a founding member of the organization.

Mary Nittolo is the Founder and CCO of the STUDIO NYC, founded in 1988, She credits her longevity and penchant for change to her Brooklyn heritage and the borough’s embrace of self-invention. the STUDIO’s projects have included films, museum exhibitions, Time Square & stadium takeovers, installations, advertising, social media content, and so on… She’s judged ADCOLOR’s Ad of the Year for a decade and is a proud recipient of their ‘Unsung Hero’ Award. She’s also an Adjunct at NYU and Hostos College in the Bronx and has served on the Board of AoIT High School In Brooklyn for 12 years.

As the Chief Revenue Officer at 88rising, Mike leads commercial partnerships and development initiatives around the globe. Prior to joining 88rising, Mike held leadership positions at platforms including Pinterest, Pandora and Myspace, helping establish and grow their respective ads business from the ground up. A veteran of the industry for over 20 years that spans across ad agency, sports marketing, media and Adtech, Mike has a successful track record for helping lead strategy, monetization and growth for some of the most innovative organizations in the world.

Michael Muñoz is Google’s Global Marketing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Lead. He drives strategy and delivery of the company’s Marketing DEI commitments and operational plans, advising Google’s leadership team on building capacity and shared DEI accountability. Before joining Google, Michael has led DEI efforts at Aetna, MassMutual, EY and ESPN. Michael has been active in facilitating Anti-Defamation League’s ‘A World of Difference’ training for the last 20+ years. Michael serves on the boards of ADCOLOR and the University of Connecticut Hillel. Michael has a B.S. from the University of Connecticut and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Cornell.

Mickey Guyton is a 4-time, Grammy-nominated artist and country music trailblazer. Mickey was recognized as TIME Magazine’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2022 and CMT’s Breakout Artist of the Year in 2021.

Mickey is the first Black artist to earn a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, and first Black female solo artist to earn a nod in a country category with nominations for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Solo Performance.”

Mickey has shined on the grandest global stages, delivering powerful renditions of the national anthem at Super Bowl LVI and the 2023 World Series.

Mickey has just released a new album, House On Fire.

Miguel is the Brand Director at Need Pastel, a Latino-owned agency working with top artists like Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma. A proud Purépecha from Michoacán, Mexico (he/him), he is passionate about driving cultural impact and pushing boundaries through innovative campaigns. Throughout his career, he has worked at leading agencies like Wieden+Kennedy and 72andSunny, starting in media and later transitioning into new business. He has worked on major brands like Nike, TurboTax, and 1800. As co-lead of Latinx for ADCOLOR, he is committed to uplifting Latino voices and creating opportunities for the next generation of talent in the creative industry.

Minda Harts is a celebrated author and influential speaker, best known for her bestsellers “The Memo,” “Right Within,” and the YA book “You Are More Than Magic.” She is a respected voice in advancing women of color, self-advocacy, and restoring trust at work. Minda frequently speaks at major conferences and companies, including Nike, Google, Disney, Best Buy, Dreamforce, and the Aspen Ideas Festival.Honored by LinkedIn as the #1 Top Voice for Equity in the Workplace in 2020 and by Business Insider as one of the top 100 People Transforming Business in 2022.

Mira Kaddoura is an Award-Winning Creative Director, Conceptual Artist, Podcast Host, & Founder of Red&Co.,a Strategic & Creative Brand Consultancy. Red&Co. created Google’s “Made with Code,” which got 5 million girls coding & one of Netflix’s most successful brand campaigns: Make Room. Mira started at Wieden+Kennedy creating award-winning work for Nike & The Girl Effect. Mira’s TEDx talk “How women can change the world by asking ‘Why not me?’ got a standing ovation from 4000 people. As a Lebanese Palestinian American, Mira is most proud to be raising three multicultural, multiracial and multilingual daughters in an ever-evolving America. @intohealing @mirakaddour

MJ DePalma is a visionary serving as the Head of Inclusive Business Impact for Microsoft Advertising whose work has been covered in Forbes, Cannes, WARC, IAB, the 4A’s and the ANA. She is known to have pioneered Inclusive Marketing as something more than just multicultural advertising – it’s Marketing with Purpose: a framework for building more trusted customer experiences. She leads Inclusive Business Impact at Microsoft Advertising, where she develops ad industry v-next solutions to address some of the world’s biggest challenges like equity, sustainability in media, and personalization in the age of AI.

Naeemah LaFond is a hairstylist known for her iconic runway looks and global ad campaigns. Renowned for her versatility with all hair textures, she has taught in over 15 countries and shaped the aesthetic of leading hair brands. In 2013, LaFond made history and broke barriers as the first Black woman to become Global Artistic Director for a major international beauty brand. A vocal advocate for diversity, she wrote a viral guide on inclusivity in 2020 and helped develop Pinterest’s hair texture search tool. LaFond also leads “Black On Set,” a mentorship program empowering Black women in fashion.

Naomi is an actor (“Mythic Quest” on Apple TV+), writer (for shows like Search Party, Broad City, and the upcoming St. Denis Medical on NBC), comedian (with specials on Netflix and Comedy Central), and podcaster. She currently co-hosts the podcast “Couples Therapy” with her husband, writer Andy Beckerman. Previous podcasts include “I Love a Lifetime Movie” for A&E and AMC’s “interview with the vampire” companion podcast.

Seasoned HR Leader and an Executive Coach with extensive corporate management experience. Keen ability to translate business vision into HR initiatives that improve performance, profitability, growth, and employee engagement. Data-driven and analytical when making decisions — a strong belief that human capital is every organization’s greatest asset. Consistently thrives on tough challenges; guides staff through change, bridging the gap between management and C-suite.

Nico Rosenstone is a globally recognized leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), known for his strategic vision. He currently leads DEI strategy for LinkedIn’s Product organization, where he brings over 12 years of expertise creating equitable and scalable solutions for both workplaces and products. Before joining LinkedIn, Nico led DEI initiatives for Product and Engineering at Twitter. He founded The Inclusion Practice, LLC, having collaborated with companies including Airbnb, Amazon, and Pixar to develop equitable and inclusive technologies and practices. Nico is also a faculty member at the Transgender Strategy Center, an organization committed to uplifting BIPOC transgender leaders and activists.

Nidia Serrano is an innovative marketing leader at SiriusXM Media, driving B2B marketing and redefining the advertising landscape. As co-founder of Fluency, she leads efforts to connect brands with communities in culturally authentic ways. With nearly two decades of experience, Nidia is known for turning insights into thought-provoking industry leadership. Nidia holds a Sociology degree from Binghamton University and is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, championing opportunities for people of color across industries.

With over 13 years of experience in entertainment and strategic partnerships, Nneka has a proven track record of developing, pitching, and selling award-winning and innovative content across multiple genres, formats, and platforms. Nneka Enurah is Vice President of Partnerships at Mass Appeal, an entertainment company on a mission to tell stories from the perspective of those who shape and shift culture. Before joining Team Mass Appeal, Nneka served as Global Partnerships Lead at Amazon Advertising for three years and led digital development and production for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. She also serves as a steering committee member for Black@ADCOLOR.

Paul Rivera is the Chief Brand Officer and Partner at The SpringHill Company. He previously was President of The Robot Company, which he co-founded with Maverick Carter and LeBron James. In 2017, he created the Emmy Award-winning show The Shop, which has wrapped its 7th season with him as co-host. Prior to The Robot Company, Rivera held influential positions at Nike and Beats by Dre.

As an entrepreneur, he sits at the helm of several ventures, which includes an investment in Major League Pickleball where he is part of the ownership group of the New York Hustlers team. Rivera is also a partner in the Kent Hospitality Group, which includes Michelin Starred restaurants Crown Shy & Saga. Additionally, Rivera is a co-founder of the prominent ready-to-drink coffee brand, Beekeeper Coffee.

Poorna Jagannathan is best known for the role of ‘Nalini’ in Netflix’s #1 hit comedy series NEVER HAVE I EVER, as well as HBO’s Golden Globe nominated drama, THE NIGHT OF. Next up, Poorna will star in the upcoming Onyx Collective/Hulu series, DELI BOYS.Poorna spent 20 years in advertising as a strategic planner, working in agencies like Chiat/Day, Ogilvy, and Deutsch before staring her own firm, Cowgirls & Indians. Her last planning gig was in 2016 where, midway through her meeting she got the news that she was cast in a series and walked out of her job.

Queen Latifah is a Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated musician, actress, producer, label president, author, and entrepreneur. Her previous film credits include JUNGLE FEVER, SET IF OFF, CHICAGO, BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, THE LAST HOLIDAY, BEAUTY SHOP, LIFE SUPPORT, BESSIE, and GIRLS TRIP and her television credits include Living Single and Star. Latifah starred in the live television adaptations of The Wiz Live! for NBC and The Little Mermaid Live! for ABC.
Latifah can currently be seen in the hit CBS series The Equalizer, of which she is also an executive producer. The show will premiere its fifth season on October 20th.

Rachita’s a strategist and DEI advocate who’s spent her career working on brands, hot takes, and herself. She’s worked with Netflix, Nintendo, Hinge, Corona, Modelo, the American Indian College Fund, and most recently DoorDash, helping win the Cannes Titanium Grand Prix for their groundbreaking 2024 Super Bowl campaign. As an ERG lead, co-lead of Asians @ ADCOLOR, and 2020 ADCOLOR Future, she’s crafted executive training, thought leadership, and programming throughout Wieden+Kennedy, Publicis Groupe, and the industry as a whole. She believes diversity’s our most potent fuel for creativity, culture, and the bottom line. (Plus, it makes for way better food!)

I am a proud Lebanese-American and lifelong Jersey Girl with a passion for celebrating people and creating lasting relationships. On my journey, I’ve gained experience working in higher education, talent & leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, programming & partnerships. My passion is to encourage, engage, and equip others to believe in the possibilities. I led the 4A’s Foundation, guiding and supporting the advertising industry with DE&I and talent initiatives, transforming programs like MAIP and VANGUARD. I now work at Netflix focusing on creating space for underrepresented emerging talent.

As Executive People Director, Talent Management & DEI at GroupM, Richetta Teal oversees the company’s HR Business Partner community and DEI practice, embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core of GroupM’s culture. Her team drives strategic talent initiatives across all levels, creating cohesive experiences that promote career growth and streamline performance management. Known for her dedication to enhancing the employee journey, Richetta develops programs that support employees’ growth while ensuring an inclusive workplace that reflects GroupM’s global scale and diversity.

A passionate travel enthusiast, business owner, and dedicated advocate for diversity in tech, Rob is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in account management and digital marketing. Currently serving as a Senior Account Executive at LinkedIn, he specializes in building strong relationships with technology clients and driving impactful business outcomes.

Prior to his role at LinkedIn, Rob worked at Google in Travel and TechB2B, where he helped prominent brands like Meta, CheapOair, and HubSpot enhance their digital presence across platforms such as Search and YouTube. During his tenure at Google, he also co-led the Black Googler Network NYC Chapter, focusing on fostering external partnerships and creating a supportive community for Black employees.

Committed to giving back, Rob volunteers as a mentor for Black and Latinx high school students interested in STEM careers through the Governor’s Committee for Scholastic Achievement. He provides guidance on resume building, college preparation, and professional development, helping students navigate their academic and career paths. Rob has served as Co-Lead for the ADCOLOR FUTURES Hackathon and has been active on the ADCOLOR Advisory Board since 2021.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Rob is a dedicated entrepreneur. He runs nineOH7 (nineoh7.com), a thriving online apparel and accessories brand that celebrates HBCUs and Black art where he is a licensed vendor for 15+ HBCUs and has even partnered with Lids to get into 5 college bookstores. With a keen eye for design and a passion for creativity, he leverages his skills to help small business owners develop effective marketing strategies.

A proud alumnus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of Maryland University College, Rob brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion to his work.

Ruth Umoh is an editor at Fortune, overseeing its executive leadership and management coverage. She was previously the editor-in-chief of The Filament, a news source for DEI leaders in tech. A veteran business journalist, she served as Forbes’ D&I editor and was a CNBC reporter covering leadership strategy, corporate management, and equity issues prior. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and received a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Journalism School. In 2021, she was named one of the top 15 journalists who hold companies accountable for diversity efforts.

Saeed Jones is a poet and cultural critic. His most recent book, ALIVE AT THE END OF THE WORLD, won the 2023 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Poetry. He’s currently an artist-in-residence at Harvard Medical School.

Sam Sanders is an award-winning radio host and podcaster. He currently co-hosts Vibe Check from Sirius and The Sam Sanders Show with KCRW.

Sean Choi is your everyday first-gen Korean American, neurodivergent New Yorker on a crusade to arouse influential creativity through cultural fluency. Client jerseys he’s hung up include Google, DoorDash, & Snapchat while repping award-winning shops like 3x Agency of the Year, The Martin Agency. As The Culture Whisperer, he’s an educator, consultant, & collaborator for professional & commercial creatives. He’s brought honor to his family & career by taking the keynote stage at 4A’s Stratfest, interviewing the Oscars-sweeping directors of Everything Everywhere All At Once, curating industry-beloved cultural moments resources, & even being dubbed an official Rockstar by Ad Club.

Shantae Howell is a passionate advocate for underrepresented voices and an expert in crafting authentic brand messaging. As Executive Producer for Acast Creative across the Americas, she oversees the team that leads creative direction and production for branded and integrated audio campaigns across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Before Acast, she played a key role in developing impactful projects at Vox Media and has been recognized as a leader in diversity and inclusion, being named to the 2019 ADCOLOR FUTURES Class, the 2021 Top Women in Media list and one of Hollywood Reporter’s 2023 Most Important People in Podcasting.

Shar Jossell is an award-winning journalist and media luminary whose work focuses on the intersections of entertainment, gender, politics, and pop culture reporting. Shar has been featured on platforms like Spotify, What’s Trending, BuzzFeed, TMZ, FOX Soul, and That Grape Juice. Her bylines include a cover story for Cultured Magazine along with articles and editorials for ESSENCE, Variety, them., and ZORA.Beyond her outward media ventures, Shar is the President of the National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles (NABJLA) and a consultant for GLAAD.Recently,she appeared in Netflix’s “Outstanding”doc &NPR “Pop Culture Happy Hour” as a contributor.

Sharon is a media, entertainment and tech executive with a reputation of building and scaling brands from nascent stage companies to large, profitable businesses with viable longevity. She is currently the CEO of NowThis, the hub for entertainment-focused, series-based, and social-first digital content.Sharon has held senior positions at Meta, iHeartMedia, and Some Spider Studios (exited in 2021 to Vox Media and BDG).She holds an MBA from the M.I.T. and a BA in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University.

Singleton Beato is the Global EVP, Chief DE&I Officer at McCann Worldgroup, responsible for leading strategic initiatives that expand organizational capacity, optimize creativity and enable profitable growth. She is recognized for driving large-scale talent innovation and culture change initiatives across a number of industries, with an impressive portfolio of bespoke DE&I models, frameworks and platform interventions to mitigate bias throughout business operations. Singleton is a proud ADCOLOR Board member, a celebrated thought-leader and DE&I Educator, but she is most grateful to be wife to Marino and mom to Greyson, a 2025 graduate of the School of Visual Arts.

Storm Smith, CEO/Founder of Sunnie&Co and Storytelling Director at Gallaudet University, is a transformative storyteller and the first Deaf woman recruited by BBDO Worldwide. Previously serving as Producer & Diversity Inclusion Accessibility Lead for AT&T at BBDO Los Angeles, she has been recognized as one of Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 and the first Deaf juror for Cannes Lions. Storm’s work with brands like Amazon Studios, Apple, Netflix, Meta, and Vanity Fair has earned acclaim from President Obama, Variety, and ADCOLOR. Her journey, marked by award-winning campaigns and advocacy, exemplifies inclusive storytelling that amplifies diverse voices and fosters global impact.

A digital marketing executive with 20 years of experience focused on the intersection of strategy, creativity and analytics. Currently SVP of Brand Partnerships at Whalar, the most awarded creator commerce company in the world. Responsible for driving creator partnerships for top tech, gaming and entertainment clients. Formerly Head of Influencer Marketing for Edelman, Head of Digital Talent & Brand Integrations at William Morris Endeavor, and Head of Ad Sales and Ad Operations at Crunchyroll. Prior to Whalar Sybil was founder and CEO of 100Hats, a digital marketing agency focused on brand strategy, business development & creator marketing.

With 17 years of experience in sales, strategy, and marketing, Tadji fosters meaningful connections between humans and brands. As Director of Client Partnerships at Left Field Labs, she collaborates with influential leaders to design innovative digital and immersive experiences. Tadji’s approach centers on connecting dots, big-picture thinking, and developing strategic solutions aligned with client goals. Her portfolio includes large-scale projects spanning AI, AR, interactive installations, and more. A first-generation Iranian American, Tadji focuses on moving the needle in the world, bridging cultures and driving change through technology. Her work exemplifies the power of diverse perspectives in shaping transformative digital solutions.

Taylor Cassidy is a prominent content creator known for her series “Fast Black History,” which educates millions on Black history. Her wit and passion earned her a Creator Honor at the 2020 Streamy Awards for “Black Girl Magic Minute.” Taylor hosted Sirius XM’s TikTok Radio Channel for three years and was named one of TikTok’s “Voices of Change” in 2020, and featured in Teen Vogue’s “21 under 21” in 2021. As a correspondent for Nickelodeon’s Nick News, she made history as the first youth speaker at the UN’s International Day of Remembrance. She studies Film and TV at NYU.

Tiana Tukes is an American businesswoman and humanitarian who made history as the first trans woman in venture capital. This year, she was named a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 venture capitalist in North America.Currently, Tiana consults leaders in tech, nonprofit, and venture capital sectors, and serves on Atlanta’s LGBTQ Affairs Advisory Board. Previously, she taught in the economics department at Spelman College, co-founded a nonprofit organization supporting LGBTQ+ investors, and held strategic roles at leading Silicon Valley firms.Tiana graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Morehouse College.

Recognized as a leader in the field of diversity, Tiffany is a talent strategist with 22+ years of championing diverse professionals in the advertising industry. In 2005, she founded ADCOLOR, which has launched the ADCOLOR Industry Conference, ADCOLOR Awards and ADCOLOR University. As President of ADCOLOR, she is deeply involved in the direction the industry is taking around diversity.

Ty Heath is ona mission to build famous brands in B2B.As Director at LinkedIn’s B2B Institute think tank, Ty shapes the future of B2B marketing through thought leadership and industry collaboration. An award-winning marketer, international speaker, and B2B creator,Ty is a leader in equity initiatives, including as President of LinkedIn’s Black Inclusion Group and as Co-Founder of TransformHer, LinkedIn’s premier event for women of color and active allies. Today, she serves on the AAF board and as an Adobe Insider. A sought-after speaker, Ty has shared her knowledge at events globally, impacting thousands with marketing education.

Vanessa Sirias is a 29 year-old Nicaraguan-American comedic and lifestyle content creator. Through her comedic videos, she proudly represents the underrepresented communities of Latin women in the US, specifically by giving a voice to Nicaraguan-Americans. Her relatable content crosses cultural and language boundaries by producing bilingual videos that connect with the US and LATAM audiences. Vanessa was the first Nicaraguan-American personality featured in BuzzFeed’s Pero Like cast. Vanessa’s audience encompasses over +220K followers on TikTok, +50K on Instagram, 4K on Facebook and 4k on YouTube. Vanessa has roots in Miami, FL but is now based in Los Angeles, CA.

Valeisha Butterfield is a globally recognized business leader, pop culture expert, and political analyst dedicated to women’s empowerment. With over 20 years at the intersections of tech, entertainment, and politics, she founded SEED, an AI-powered media company producing iconic book-to-screen content. Valeisha is also a GRAMMYs Television Committee member and hosts the Tables Turn podcast. Her impactful career includes roles as Co-President of the GRAMMYs, VP at Google, and youth vote director for Obama for America. Featured by Forbes and EBONY, she co-founded WEEN, is an author, mother, and serves on several advisory boards.

Throughout her career Veronica has helped brands connect with their consumers, push for creative effectiveness and drive growth.As Director, Global Creative Council at Meta, Veronica partners with the marketing industry’s most influential creative leaders to ideate on the marketing industry’s biggest challenges.Before Meta, Veronica led Effie Worldwide’s expansion beyond awards and built new training and thought leadership programs focused on marketing effectiveness.In her role as VP of Marketing at Oscar Health, Veronica launched and scaled the health insurance start up, catapulting it into “unicorn” status. She started her career at various ad agencies including BBDO and droga5.

Will-Angeleno-Chicanx-CCO- From an urban scrawl in East LA to the highest levels of the advertising industry. Will has worked at renowned agencies, from Chiat LA to W+K, The Martin Agency to R/GA, with a focus on delivering original ideas for brave partners. Before establishing Hyphenated, he was the SVP ECD of the West Coast for R/GA, leading Beats by Dre for 6 years while delivering some of the most iconic work in the brand’s history. Besides being named one of The 30 Most Creative People in Advertising by Business Insider, Will has earned every recognition in the business.

Yesi Ramirez transitioned from a promising legal career, with aspirations of becoming a juvenile public defender, to the dynamic field of casting. Over the past 21 years, she has built a distinguished career casting a diverse array of projects, including studio films, critically acclaimed independent films, television series and pilots.

Yesi is currently serving as Senior Vice President of Casting for Walt Disney Studios, where she is the head of casting for Searchlight Pictures. In this role, she has supervised THE MENU, FLAMIN’ HOT, and the upcoming NIGHTBITCH. In addition to this, she has also cast films such as James Mangold’s upcoming film A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the thriller HOLD YOUR BREATH starring Sarah Paulson, the murder mystery comedy SEE HOW THEY RUN and CHEVALIER, based on the true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

Prior to the Walt Disney Company acquiring Twentieth Century Fox, Yesi joined as Vice President of Casting, where she cast several films, including George Tillman Jr.’s THE HATE U GIVE, based on the bestselling novel, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was nominated for an Artios Award, as well as Simon Curtis’ THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN.

In 2017, Yesi was honored with an Artios Award and Film Independent’s Robert Altman Award for her work as a casting director on the Academy Award-winning film MOONLIGHT, directed by Barry Jenkins.

In addition to these high-profile projects, Yesi has cast a range of independent films and shows, such as Aaron Katz’s GEMINI and BRETT GELMAN’S DINNER IN for Adult Swim and Abso Lutely Productions.

Earlier in her career, Yesi was a key member of the casting teams for major productions, including films STAR TREAK: BEYOND, MAGIC MIKE XXL, NEBRASKA, 21 JUMP STREET, LOVE & OTHER DRUGS, BLOOD DIAMOND, LEMONADE MOUTH and the series EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, among others.

Zach Stafford is an award-winning journalist, Tony Award-winning producer of A Strange Loop, and co-host of the podcast Vibe Check.