AAPI Heritage Month | Rockstar: Janel Ilagan

Janel Ilagan is a Senior Social Strategist at McCann New York, turning cultural insights into social-first ideas that drive engagement, build community, and elevate brand presence.

Born and raised in New York City and a first-generation Filipino-American, Janel brings a deep sense of resilience, curiosity, and creativity to everything she does. With over eight years of experience in social media marketing and strategy across CPG, automotive, and financial services brands, she connects them with audiences in meaningful ways.

A 2024–2025 AD Club I’MPART Fellow, Janel champions representation and inclusive storytelling, shaping work that reflects culture and pushes the future of social forward. She has also been actively involved in advancing DEI initiatives throughout her career, helping establish and co-lead the DEI Committee at her previous agency, Dentsu Creative, and contributing to the Creative Review Council, driving more   diverse and impactful thinking across teams and the work.